Serbian populist leader Vucic launches campaign for prime minister

Former Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic is seeking to extend his hold on power through a parliamentary vote.Former Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic has launched his campaign for prime minister ahead of a pivotal election on October 25.Thousands of supporters of the populist politician packed the largest indoor arena in Belgrade on Saturday, as Vucic pledged a “comprehensive” victory in the upcoming parliamentary vote.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made droneslist 2 of 3Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic resigns amid prolonged protestslist 3 of 3Serbia’s snap election: Can Vucic outmanoeuvre the student revolt?end of listThe snap election, which polls suggest could be tight between Vucic’s party and a group of candidates fielded by a student-led protest movement, was called before Vucic resigned as president on September 27, cutting short his second term by more than seven months.Dozens of buses from across Serbia clogged streets around Belgrade Arena on Saturday, as supporters arrived at the rally in the capital carrying Serbian flags and banners bearing Vucic’s picture.The event, televised by dozens of channels across Serbia, capped a week of Vucic touring towns and villages in an apparent bid to shore up his popularity, which has been shaken after almost two years of sustained antigovernment protests.Vucic, on the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) ballot, has dominated Serbian politics as president or prime minister since 2014. Barred from seeking a third presidential term, he is now seeking to extend his hold on power through the parliamentary vote.If the SNS wins a majority of seats, the parliament is expected to elect Vucic as prime minister.Youth movementThe youth-backed movement that led the protests has demanded accountability for the November 1, 2024, train station canopy collapse that killed 16 people in the northern city of Novi Sad.