Serbia is likely to hold an early parliamentary election on October 25, state broadcaster RTS learned on September 2, bringing forward a vote that had been scheduled for late 2027.

The election will be the biggest test yet for Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) since student-led protests erupted after the collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad railway station in November 2024 killed 16 people.

President Aleksandar Vucic is expected to dissolve parliament in the coming days following a proposal from the government and call the election, RTS said.

Prime Minister Djuro Macut said on September 2 that more precise information on the election date would be available in the coming days.

Under Serbian election law, between 45 and 60 days must pass between the announcement of an election and polling day, meaning the formal dissolution of parliament would mark the start of the campaign.

Vucic said on August 20 that a snap election was likely to be held on either October 18 or October 25.

The protests have developed into the most serious challenge to the SNS since it came to power in 2012, with student organisers accusing the government of corruption and demanding greater accountability.

Students are now selecting candidates for a prospective "Student List", which will contest the election. A June survey found that 45% of decided voters backed a potential student list, compared with 36% for the SNS.

The student movement's failure so far to name candidates or set out a detailed policy platform creates uncertainty over whether it can translate its polling advantage into votes.

The SNS, which will run under the "United Serbia" name on the ballot, retains a strong organisational advantage and controls much of Serbia's broadcast media. It won all contested local elections in March, although its vote share declined. 

The government has also stepped up measures aimed at shoring up support. On August 21, it announced around €980.6mn in one-off payments to pensioners, welfare recipients and all adult citizens ahead of the election.

Vucic, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third presidential term when his current mandate expires in 2027, plans to leave the presidency and seek the post of prime minister if his party wins the parliamentary election.