Can Serbia’s student protesters stop Aleksandar Vučić from becoming prime minister? The country’s longtime leader has called an early election to extend his hold on power.

Just over a month ago, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić addressed the nation on television. He lamented the difficult circumstances but said that, despite everything, the country had “managed to preserve stability.” To ensure that Serbia could continue “to develop and maintain its internal unity in the face of external threats,” Vučić announced that he would dissolve parliament and call early elections for October 25, 2026. He resigned shortly afterward. Vučić needs the election to stay in power: His presidential term would have expired soon. But he may not succeed. His main rival is the “St