Serbian Student List Supporters Clean Belgrade Park After Election Win

Following their decisive victory in Serbia’s parliamentary elections, supporters of the Student List gathered in Belgrade’s Pioneers Park to clear debris from a site that had become a flashpoint of tension. The park, located across from the national assembly building, had served as an encampment for a pro-government group known as Ćaciland for the previous 18 months. During that period, the area was effectively a no-go zone occupied by individuals who allegedly intimidated journalists and political opponents while local police refrained from intervening. This small patch of greenery – with its established trees and playground – had been a no-go zone, for the previous 18 months. Happy to attack journalists, or anyone else who came too close, a pro-government camp known as Ćaciland had taken over the space with convicted criminals living there in white tents. Police stood by but did nothing to prevent the violence. Setting fire to some of the tents, the goon squad made a rapid exit – and Student List supporters joyfully ransacked Ćaciland. While others painstakingly cleaned and disinfected the climbing frames, swings and slides in the children’s playground, some dismantled the mangled white tents. Radomir Dalic painstakingly combed over the grass to remove cigarette butts and other rubbish. For now, nobody is asking too many questions about how the Student List will govern. A clean-up for public institutions – little is clear, but beyond the domestic priorities – in essence. The thinktank chief added: “I’m hoping that there is a dream scenario plan here – they have portfolios and people who have credibility in particular issue areas and they can hit the ground running.

Election night brought fears of renewed hostility as masked, black-clad men gathered near the park shortly before polls closed. It seemed that thuggery might be on the cards again, on election night. What happened next took almost everyone by surprise.

However, the anticipated struggle did not materialize. Shortly after voting ended and before results were confirmed, Aleksandar Vučić informed supporters at the Serbian Progressive party (SNS) headquarters that his party had suffered a comprehensive defeat. Vučić stated he did not want unrest or similar scenes on the streets, leading to the rapid departure of the pro-government group and the removal of barriers surrounding the park.

As the Student List supporters celebrated, many chose to immediately address the state of the park. Hundreds of volunteers joined municipal workers to dismantle the remnants of the encampment, including white tents, and disinfect the playground facilities. Radomir Dalic, a participant in the cleanup, remarked that removing the site felt like clearing away violent intentions, describing the atmosphere as the smell of freedom. According to apparently relishing his labours, he, He was overjoyed that the park was finally rid of “criminals with violent intentions towards us”.

Tamara Tomic, another volunteer, noted that the act of cleaning the space symbolized a desire for a normal life free from intimidation. The movement, which formed over two years of anti-corruption protests, operates without a traditional hierarchy or a single leader. Instead, its candidates were selected through student assemblies, comprising a diverse group of academics, economists, engineers, and athletes. Tamara Tomic wore yellow rubber gloves for the occasion – and radiated similar pride in taking part. “Gathering here and cleaning this place just shows that we want to live nicely,” she said. “We want to enjoy the city. In fact, Serbian voters have taken something of a leap into the unknown – because this is a movement that operates unlike a traditional political party. The city where a deadly roof collapse sparked the student protests, he has protested alongside the students since the early days, a cardiologist at the university in Novi Sad.

The Student List campaigned on an 11-point plan focusing on judicial reform, media freedom, housing, and healthcare, though their platform remains largely centered on anti-corruption measures. Despite their success, the movement did not nominate a prime minister candidate, which has raised concerns among some analysts. Kurt Bassuener of the Democratization Policy Council cautioned that the lack of a clear executive plan could lead to internal fissures once the initial victory fades. “Yesterday was a big victory, so today is the smell of freedom,” he added. “We are in garbage, but it’s the smell of freedom.”. The pitch that secured victory in 2012 for Vučić and the SNS, most of these points deal with anti-corruption measures – ironically. Media freedom, affordable housing and improved access to healthcare, with the promise of “a doctor in every village”, other commitments include judicial reform. According to kurt Bassuener, co-founder of the Democratization Policy Council,, He was concerned about what that might mean when the euphoria of victory died down, and the serious business of forming a government began.

Ilija Srdanović, the candidate ranked first on the list, maintains that the movement remains democratic and seeks to avoid the personality-driven leadership historically seen in Serbian politics. He emphasized that all 250 candidates are equal and that any number of them could be considered for ministerial roles. Despite this, some observers remain skeptical about the coalition’s unity. “The student movement is fully democratic,” he said, adding that the aim was to buck Serbia’s history of “creating the cult of personality or leadership”.

Former EU and UK ambassador Michael Davenport noted that there is no consensus within the movement regarding major policy areas, such as European Union accession or regional issues involving Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Student List has not publicly adopted a definitive stance on these geopolitical matters, which Vučić previously warned would be a point of conflict under a new administration.

For many supporters, however, the immediate focus remains on the transition of power and the removal of the old political regime as the capital celebrated the election results.