Serbian society has been shaken to its core after the newly formed Student List defeated Aleksandar Vucic's right-wing nationalist party, the SNS, in the election on 25 October.
Film student Senka Pejic was one of those who started the first protests, and she believes many were taken aback by the students' victory.
No one understood us, perhaps because we didn't fit into any of the usual categories for political actors. We didn't have much support from the world, but now that we've proven ourselves, many are interested, she says, admitting that it's dizzying.
It's confusing and surprising to be here talking about it, she says during a visit to Stockholm, where she was invited by Civil Rights Defenders.
Weakening
The Student List's victory over Vucic has already shifted the balance of power. Pro-regime police officers have been imprisoned, and there is feverish activity in many places to cover up traces of corruption. For example, a bank linked to the ruling party has been closed.
Vucic is becoming weaker every day. His entire criminal regime is collapsing by itself now, and we are still not even in the government, says Senka Pejic.
Fighting corruption has been the Student List's main goal, and it was what triggered the protests. After the roof of a newly built train station collapsed in Novi Sad in 2024, killing 16 people, demands grew for those responsible to be held accountable. Senka Pejic took part in actions called "Serbia Stop", when people held 15 minutes of silence for the victims in the streets. The police violence they encountered was the spark that really ignited the protests, she believes.
We were stopped by a group sent by the ruling party to split us up. They were very violent and injured two of us. There were plainclothes police there who did not stop them either.
Living at the universities
In response to police violence, Senka Pejic and her fellow students decided to occupy the university, where they lived for a whole year.
We moved in with our mattresses. The neighbors around us cooked food and brought it over. We made decisions through direct democracy and voted by raising our hands in the auditorium. That's how it started, she remembers.
What distinguishes Serbia's student protests is precisely how they organized themselves, Senka Pejic believes. Everyone was given areas of responsibility, special plenary sessions were held, and decisions were made through votes. The model quickly spread, not only to all universities but also to lawyers, older people and local neighborhood groups.
The most important were people from our neighborhoods, who organized themselves into citizens' assemblies. Everyone held their own meetings and connected in networks. I believe that the solidarity that grew from there is the key to our success.
Organizing is also her advice to other student protesters in Europe who want to bring about change.
We also fought police brutality but always held peaceful protests. Otherwise, you always end up back at square one.
The importance of responsibility
But the move into the parliamentary system is not an obvious one for the Student List. They have deliberately avoided clear leaders, initially out of fear and then as a way to distribute power. When choosing ministers, they have to show their hand.
Everything is still new, but we are working towards a government. After that, corruption is the first thing we have to address, then the rest will fall into place.
However, critics point out that corruption can be fought in several ways. The Student List has not yet announced its foreign policy either. The question is how to view rapprochement with the EU and sanctions against Russia, with which Serbia has historically been close. Senka Pejic does not consider herself qualified to answer and refers to the fact that the list's model is based on experts knowing their fields.
The students also want to continue working in close dialogue with the candidates. But the aim is not to stay in power for 30 years, but above all to restore democracy, Senka Pejic emphasizes.
She was ten years old when Vucic's party, the SNS, came to power in 2012, and for her the fight has meant everything.
We paused our lives to fight for the future. I don't think I will ever feel as strong as when we won.
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