Serbian opposition coalition drops election list to back students

The opposition coalition Narodna Srbija, comprising the parliamentary People’s Movement of Serbia, Ecological Uprising and New Face of Serbia, announced that it was withdrawing its electoral list, “Choice of the People,” and would support the student-backed list in the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for October 25.

The Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) confirmed on Tuesday evening the “Student List – Students Are Winning” with 250 candidates for the October 25 election, CE Report quotes FENA.

All 19 RIK members present voted in favour of officially approving the list, which was backed by 69,099 signatures.

Narodna Srbija is so far the first formally registered coalition to change its electoral course by withdrawing its own list shortly after submitting it to RIK. The coalition had submitted its list with 10,500 signatures.

Miroslav Aleksić, leader of one of the three coalition parties, the People’s Movement of Serbia (NPS), explained the decision by saying that “the only way to fight against President Aleksandar Vučić” was through a “referendum-like atmosphere” and a united anti-government front capable of challenging him.

Srđan Milivojević, leader of the parliamentary Democratic Party (DS), which has supported the student movement from the outset, said that “anyone who does not stand under the banner of freedom, raised high by the students, is not acting in the public interest” and is instead helping Aleksandar Vučić, knowingly or unknowingly.

He stressed that there was “no longer any room for ideological columns,” arguing that “society and the state face only one question – either Serbia or the mafia.”

A similar position was expressed by Savo Manojlović, leader of the Kreni-Promeni movement, who said that “there is no need at this moment for mutual accusations and debates” over who supported the student list and when. Instead, he said, “all energy should be directed toward electoral victory and a change of government.”

The student list began presenting its 11-point programme, titled “We Know How,” in Novi Sad on Tuesday. The campaign to present the programme will continue across Serbia through September 19.

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