Serbia is likely to hold early parliamentary elections by the end of the year, political sources told local daily Danas, with December 28 emerging as the most likely date despite other options in October and January still being considered.

The vote would come well ahead of the regularly scheduled parliamentary elections in 2027 and follows months of mounting political pressure sparked by a deadly infrastructure collapse in Novi Sad and months of ensuing protests.

President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed on August 8 that elections would be held before the legal deadline but declined to give a specific date. “We will certainly have elections before the constitutional and legal deadline,” Vucic said at a press conference in response to a question from N1.

Political sources told Danas that the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is leaning toward a December 28 vote. The move comes amid persistent nationwide protests, which have challenged the legitimacy of the government over issues related to corruption and public safety.

According to an Ipsos poll published on July 30 by local newspaper Blic, the SNS continues to enjoy strong support, with 46.6% of decided voters backing the party. However, the poll did not factor in potential opposition coalitions or the nascent “student list”, an alliance that includes students, academics, farmers and labour groups.

A separate poll by Sprint Insight, obtained by bne IntelliNews last month, painted a more competitive picture. That survey showed the student list leading with 54.8% support, ahead of a coalition led by ruling SNS, Socialist Party (SPS) and right-wing Zavetnici at 42.1%.

Vucic acknowledged the student list’s popularity at the press conference, citing recent polling. “They are big favourites, I admit that to them,” he said. “But they cannot take away my right to fight with like-minded people who don’t want to turn Serbia into a pigsty.”

Public pressure for early elections has intensified since November 2024, when a fatal roof collapse at Novi Sad railway station killed 16 people and ignited widespread protests. Allegations of government negligence and mismanagement followed, ultimately leading to prime minister Milos Vucevic’s resignation in January.

Although the government attempted to stabilise the situation through a cosmetic reshuffle of the cabinet and the arrest of several officials on corruption charges, the protests have continued, with tensions escalating into violent clashes with police in recent months.

While the SNS retained control in local elections earlier this year and the parliamentary opposition remains fragmented, the electoral landscape has grown more volatile with the emergence of the independent student list.

If confirmed, the December 28 vote would be Serbia’s second snap parliamentary election in less than five years.