Serbia's New Leaders Face Pressure as Outgoing Government Holds Key Levers

Serbia's new political leaders are losing their patience.

Aleksandar Vucic lost the presidential election on October 25 to the Student List. The Student List took 53% of the vote. Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS, received 39%. Vucic is now in opposition, but his party still controls many state institutions.

The outgoing government is moving quickly. The public prosecutor's office for organized crime has started investigations into electoral fraud. A special commission is reviewing the work of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade. This office is accused of persecuting Vucic's opponents.

Zlatko Minic of Transparency Serbia warned that time is running out. Officials in the current government can still award contracts and create financial obligations. These actions do not have to be criminal, but they can bind the next administration. Minic noted that many former allies of Vucic are already switching sides or resigning.

The Student List has demanded the resignation of top police and judiciary officials. The group is also asking whistleblowers to report if the outgoing team destroys documents. This urgency stems from the belief that the SNS is trying to secure its legacy before leaving office.

The shift in power has changed the tone in Belgrade. Vucic's loyal tabloids no longer call the Student List terrorists or mercenaries. Vucic himself complained that the winners are practicing revolutionary terror. He cited the dismissal of the director of the state broadcaster RTS as proof.

Protests have intensified in the capital. A small group of protesters entered the Informer TV station on Monday. This station is known for its critical coverage of Vucic. Journalists' associations are now asking for the station's license to be revoked.

The new government faces a complex task. The Student List includes members from both the left and right. It also includes pro-European and pro-Russian forces. Oliver Toskovic, a future member of parliament, said the group wants to stabilize the country. He stated that the plan is not to destabilize Serbia with abrupt foreign policy changes.

The Student List opposes sanctions on Russia and the recognition of Kosovo. These are positions that most Serbians support. Toskovic said the previous government used the EU accession process as a cover. He noted that Serbia relies heavily on Russian energy, making sanctions risky.

The new leaders promise better relations with neighboring countries. Ilija Srdanovic, the lead candidate, said the party is open to dialogue with the government in Pristina. He has already spoken by phone with the prime minister of Croatia.

The electoral process is not fully complete. Voting will be repeated at about 50 polling stations on November 1. Irregularities were found in the first round. Once these votes are counted, parliament can be convened. The formation of a government is expected to be quick, but no names have been released yet.