Early reports suggest record high turnout in Serbia elections

Key Points:

• Serbian parliamentary elections have seen a record-high turnout, with 46% of voters casting ballots by early afternoon, nearly a million more than in the previous election, boosting hopes for the opposition Student List to challenge the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
• The snap elections were called following two years of student protests sparked by a fatal train station canopy collapse in 2024, with the Student List campaigning on anti-corruption reforms and greater political transparency.
• Incidents of alleged electoral fraud and attacks on election monitors have raised tensions, as the SNS, led by Aleksandar Vučić aiming to return as prime minister, denies corruption and emphasizes economic growth and social investment.
• Voting extended until 20:00 local time, with initial results expected two hours later; a high turnout above 65% is believed to favor the opposition students, though a close or contested outcome could lead to political instability.
• The election is seen as a pivotal moment between continuity under Vučić's leadership and potential change driven by a diverse coalition of student candidates and civil society figures, amid concerns over the electoral register's accuracy and voter eligibility.