Serbia’s student movement is set to decide who will become the country’s next prime minister after winning 52.73% of the vote in the October 25 parliamentary election. The Student List, which brings together candidates from across the political spectrum, secured enough seats to form a government without a coalition partner.
A cardiologist and professor, Ilija Srdanovic, who headed the Student List, could be a possible candidate for prime minister. However, he has so far resisted taking on a leadership role, and political commentators are skeptical he will be selected.
Dejan Soskic, an economist and former governor of the National Bank of Serbia, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate. He has experience in public office, having led the central bank from 2010 to 2012.
The movement has said it wants to avoid personality-driven politics and has campaigned on pledges to tackle corruption and reform state institutions. However, the students gave fewer details on foreign policy, relations with Russia, and Serbia’s stalled bid to join the European Union.
Under Serbia’s constitution, parliament must be constituted within 30 days of the announcement of the final election results. Acting President Ana Brnabic must then propose a prime ministerial candidate after consulting parliamentary groups. The nominee needs a majority in parliament.
The new government will also have to establish working relationships with state institutions and international partners, while delivering on voters’ expectations after nearly two years of student-led protests. Although the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has lost power, it remains a significant political force and could seek to exploit divisions within the new majority.
The Student List’s decentralised structure helped unite voters opposed to the SNS, but could make it harder to agree on a common policy programme. As the movement moves from protests to government, they will have to make key decisions on their policy direction and address the challenges they face.
