Serbia after elections – So, where to now?

Thewesternbalkans.

We have already seen the results of the parliamentary elections in Serbia, as well as the convincing victory of the Student List (SL). They secured a majority in Parliament, which allows them to form their own single-party government.

We also have seen the very enthusiastic congratulations from the European Union leaders.

In a message on X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the people of Serbia had turned out in record numbers to shape their country’s future.

“Congratulations to the Student List on its victory in the parliamentary elections. We stand ready to support reforms on the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption and strong democratic institutions, and to work together to advance Serbia’s future in the European Union,” Von der Leyen said.

European Council President António Costa and the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola repeated the Commission’s President ideas.

But after the enthusiasm the real action are coming. Many people, not only in Serbia, are asking themselves, ‘So, where to now?’

Some guidance on SL’s future policy comes from their Plan, published as a pre-election program. The “Student Plan”, presented on 15 September 2026, consists of 11 points divided into three sections, “Serbia or the Mafia”, “Knowledge is Power” and “Serbia Grows with Us”. The fight against crime and corruption is at its centre, alongside social measures such as free school textbooks and cheaper medicines. Its central promise has been described as a broad change in the way Serbia is governed.

The 11 points are:

1. Freeing the courts and prosecution through a Special Prosecutorial Police – A vetted police unit to investigate corruption and arrest those responsible without political obstruction, freeing judges and prosecutors from political pressure; a comprehensive review of the Ministry of the Interior, removal of officials linked to organised crime, and dismissal of police officers who broke the law in dealing with protesting students and citizens.
2. Law on the origin and confiscation of illegally acquired assets, and lustration of public officials – Strengthening the Tax Administration to investigate the assets of public officials and return stolen public money to the budget; holding accountable officials who abused their position, engaged in corruption or violated human rights, the Constitution and the law.
3. Full transparency of public procurement and audit of government projects – Publication of all contracts and tenders, strengthening of the State Audit Institution, and audit of non-transparent and overpriced infrastructure projects, with emphasis on secret contracts, lex specialis laws and projects that missed their deadlines.
4. Freeing the media – Unblocking and depoliticising the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM); freeing RTS; investigating the responsibility of journalists and management of state and private broadcasters for discrimination and hate speech; reallocation of national broadcasting frequencies and a stronger role for the Press Council.
5. Professional employment and departisation of the public sector – Ending party-based employment, introducing strict competitive examinations, appointing proven experts rather than party loyalists to head public enterprises, and introducing strict financial control.
6. Innovation in education and free textbooks – Investment in modern curricula, critical thinking and practical skills; free textbooks for all primary and secondary school pupils, and affordable school trips and extracurricular activities.
7. Knowledge economy and support for domestic entrepreneurs and farmers – Linking universities, institutes and professional associations with industry; grants and subsidies for start-ups, innovation, domestic entrepreneurs and farmers, to move from a cheap-labour model to a high-value economy.
8. Permanent contracts after 12 months – Amending the Labour Law to reduce the maximum duration of fixed-term employment from 24 to 12 months.
9. Ending the import lobby’s monopoly and ensuring food security – Tackling import lobbies accused of distorting the relationship between retail prices and production costs; protecting agricultural land and water as national assets guaranteeing food security.
10. Affordable housing for young couples and underfunded professions – Flats with favourable rent and purchase terms, with tax relief for young families and employees in education and healthcare.
11. Affordable medicines and a doctor in every village – State control and a sharp reduction in medicine prices, renovation of rural clinics and health centres, and employment of young doctors and technicians.

Comments: “Serbia or the Mafia”, “Knowledge is Power” and “Serbia Grows with Us” – in many ways, these priorities are also close to the EU conditions for reforms in the country aimed at continuing Serbia’s integration process into the EU. At the same time, it remains to be seen which factor will prevail regarding the relations with the EU – the visible support of the European elite for Aleksandar Vučić during the period of protests and the ignoring of the student movement, or the European funds that could be poured into Serbia if the authorities in Belgrade behave correctly.