Condition student list also illustrates the relationship between the two parties. "Our only request is that there are no active politicians on the list," says Anja from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade, adding that the student movement enjoys the trust of citizens, which they show mass gatherings and signature actions.
On December 28, students collected about 400.000 signatures of support. However, it is about unofficial support in the fight against the political giant, which is entering its 15th year in power.
On the other hand, Radomir Lazović, co-president of the Green-Left Front, believes that the unification of all anti-regime forces is necessary for change. writes DW.
"I believe that in order to win the elections, it would be best to make a joint agreement between all the anti-regime forces and Green-left front he has been calling for it since the middle of last year. "If we had done it then, I believe we would have had elections a long time ago, and this way Vučić was given a lot of time to consolidate," Lazović said.
The (in)visible hand of the regime
Analysts point out that the students' distance towards the opposition is not only a matter of tactics. Dragan Popović from the Center for Practical Politics recalls the long-standing demonization of political opponents in the pro-government media. Such an environment not only produces resistance to the government, but also to the very idea of party politics. "In that context, I understand the kind of reluctance of the student movement to enter into some closer contacts with opposition", explains Popović.
The nature of the political climate in the country is evidenced by the data of the Reporters Without Borders organization, which ranked Serbia in 96th place in the world media freedoms. Nevertheless, Lazović also warns of other mechanisms of the government - control of the media, pressure on the judiciary and causing divisions in the country anti-regime block. "That's why we don't have the luxury of not gathering in one front, which may or may not be a single electoral list, but everyone must work together in shifts, support each other and help and complement each other in the areas where it is needed," Lazović claims.
Opposition mistakes
Government pressures are not the only reason for mistrust. Čedomir Čupić, a retired FPN professor, believes that the behavior of the opposition also contributed to the loss of credibility. He cites the agreement with the initiative as a turning point ProGlass 2024, which foresees a boycott of the elections if the election conditions are not improved. However, part of the signatories soon formed the coalition "I choose the fight" and went to the polls.
"That memory, which is very fresh, tells me who that opposition is, what that opposition is. I am also starting to worry about who this opposition is that did not go to the elections and then remained principled and accepted what it signed the Proclamation. And now, a year later, they are together again," says Čupić.
In order to regain trust, according to Čupić, the opposition should take responsibility and consider resignations due to unfulfilled promises. Such a thing is not unheard of, and the most recent example is the resignation of the leader of the opposition Greek party Syriza, Alexis Tsipras, after a heavy defeat in the 2023 parliamentary elections.
Veterans and pioneers in exposure targeting
Opposition parties are already veterans in being exposed to the targeting of pro-government media, and now the student list is receiving similar treatment. Nevertheless, polls show that students still enjoy great trust from citizens. Actions like "a student in every village" and "door to door" campaigns have expanded the support network across the country.
THE LINE states that during 2025 there were at least 13.000 protests across the country. Student Anja claims that precisely because of this massive number of demonstrations, they do not want to depend on other participants in the political game. "According to the trust we respect, we act consciously and responsibly, therefore we do not want to allow ourselves to depend on other actors in any way," explains Anja.
Can we reach an agreement?
How crucial is it who goes with whom on the list? Popović believes that the form is less important than the principle of the agreement. He claims that mutual conflicts, which are not constructive in nature, are a much bigger problem. "If these were programmatic discussions, it would be constructive, but this is mostly personal, pointless, principled, vanities are hurt, etc. Agreement and consensus among actors is much more important than what the columns will look like," says Popović.
Čupić believes that an agreement is possible if the opposition shows a willingness to make sacrifices. "It is necessary to go to the elections together, but the opposition does not condition the list that the students offer. In case of victory, it should be agreed to call new elections under fair conditions in two years," Čupić believes.
Political maturity
Many elements are still uncertain. From the date of the election to the composition of the student list, as well as the integrity of that unwritten "agreement". The students state that the "secrecy" of the leader of the list is a strategic decision and a matter of candidate security.
One of the controversial names that appeared at the protests is Milo Lompar, whom critics associate with nationalist ideas. Nevertheless, Popović states that there is little chance that the student agenda will be anti-European.
"I believe that the rule of law, the fight against corruption, the equality of citizens before the law are the core of the student demands, I believe that they will be the backbone of the student program as well. These are the most classic European values," says Popović.
Student Anja states that the backbone of the student list is precisely the original student requests and that all subsequent steps are based on them. Hand on heart, the opposition has been advocating the same ideas for years, but without the trust that the student movement now enjoys. Although the situation is complex, Lazović is optimistic that the two fronts will find a common language.
"However, despite all the obstacles, I believe that there will be enough political maturity to recognize that disunity is most beneficial to Vučić and that we will reach a dialogue as soon as possible," says Lazović.
Whether this maturity will really prevail over vanities and divisions remains an open question, the answer to which can go in several directions.
