Mass Student List rally at Slavija Square in Belgrade ahead of October 25 elections
Hundreds marched from across Belgrade to a final Student List campaign rally at Slavija ahead of the October 25 parliamentary elections.
A large pro-student rally took place on Slavija Square in Belgrade as the Student List — Students Win held its final campaign event ahead of the snap parliamentary elections set for October 25.
Students marched from across the city and country
Organisers said several columns of participants converged on Slavija from different parts of the city, including New Belgrade, Zemun and Čukarica, while separate groups set off from Student Square, the Technical Faculties on Kral Aleksandar Boulevard and the Autokomanda neighbourhood. There were also multiple car convoys arriving from other parts of Serbia.
At the end of the rally the candidates stepped down from the stage and formed a circle around the fountain at Slavija, holding up the Constitution of Serbia and dancing an oro. Supporters carried Serbian flags and banners reading "Student List" and "Students Win," and blew whistles as the organisers thanked those in attendance.
From the stage, the Student List candidate, doctor and university professor Jugoslav Gašić accused the current authorities of dividing the country and prioritising personal and party interests over those of citizens.
He told the crowd: "Those who brought us to the edge of the abyss have shamed the ages, humiliated millions, and stolen billions. Those who speak to us of some united Serbia are the ones who live off our divisions, and those who speak of a Serbia that wins are the ones who for decades have led us from defeat to defeat."
Biology Faculty student Arsa Stojanović said citizens have shown will, strength and sincere patriotism over the past two years and urged people to vote.
He appealed: "A patriotism that everyone, without exception, should be proud of and one day, with their head held high, say: 'I was part of the victory!'"
The Student List presented parts of its programme at the rally, pledging reforms of the judiciary and the prosecution, accessible education, improvements to health care, investments in agriculture and the economy, and protections for the environment and workers' rights.
Separately, authorities in Novi Sad carried out a large police operation and detained a group suspected of planning mass disturbances on election day, officials said.
Photo: Printskrin
