Tens of thousands of supporters of Serbia's student movement gathered in Belgrade on Thursday (October 22) for a final campaign rally ahead of Sunday's parliamentary election, in what could be the biggest challenge yet to former President Aleksandar Vucic's 12 years in power.

Thousands packed Slavija Square, chanting, singing and waving Serbian flags and flares in support of the "Students Win" electoral list.

The student-led movement emerged after the 2024 Novi Sad train station canopy collapse that killed 16 people and sparked months of anti-government protests.

Now, they have their own "Students Win" list of 250 candidates for Sunday's election, which includes university professors, actors, farmers and even a popular rapper.

The only poll published this month, by New Serbian Political Thought (NSPM) on October 20, showed the students' list of candidates edging ahead of Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) with 44.5% of the vote to 42.7%, although betting odds favour Vucic.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

BELGRADE, SERBIA (OCTOBER 22, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)(NIGHT SHOTS)

1. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF DRONE VIEWS OF STUDENT MOVEMENT SUPPORTERS GATHERED AT SLAVIJA SQUARE FOR RALLY BEFORE ELECTION

2. (MUTE) DRONE VIEW OF ST. SAVA CHURCH

3. (MUTE) DRONE VIEW OF SUPPORTERS GATHERED

4. VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS WAVING FLAGS, FLARES BURNING

5. SUPPORTERS SINGING AND WAVING FLAGS, FLARES BURNING

6. SUPPORTERS HOLDING FLASHLIGHTS AND WAVING SERBIAN FLAGS

7. SUPPORTERS SINGING AND HOLDING FLASHLIGHTS

8. SUPPORTERS HOLDING FLASHLIGHTS AND CHEERING

9. VARIOUS OF STUDENT LIST CANDIDATES WALKING ON STAGE AND HOLDING COPIES OF CONSTITUTION

10. SUPPORTERS WAVING FLAGS

11. (SOUNDBITE)(Serbian) THE STUDENTS' LIST IS HEADED BY CARDIOLOGIST, ILIJA SRDANOVIC, SAYING:

“Our mandates will be in your hands. In the hands of the people. With that, there is no doubt in one thing; on the 25 of October, Serbia is winning. Because you know why… Because who is winning? Students Win!”

12. PEOPLE WAVING SERBIAN FLAGS/ FLARES BURNING

13. VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS DANCING ON STAGE

14. (MUTE) DRONE VIEW OF SUPPORTERS GATHERED AT FINAL RALLY