Student List cleaned up at Serbia’s parliamentary elections. So it was only fitting that the morning after a night of raucous celebrations, the movement’s supporters gathered with bin bags at Pioneers Park, opposite the national assembly building in Belgrade. For the previous 18 months, this small patch of greenery—with its established trees and playground—had been a no-go zone. A pro-government camp known as Ćaciland had taken over the space, with convicted criminals living there in white tents, ready to attack journalists or anyone else who came too close. Police stood by but did nothing to stop the violence. View image in fullscreenA person throws an object onto a fire burning a tent at Pioneers Park. Photograph: Zorana Jevtić/Reuters On election night, it seemed thuggery might be on the cards again. Half an hour before the polls closed, large numbers of masked, black-clad men began gathering in and around Pioneers Park. Their intimidating presence lent weight to pre-election predictions that the governing Serbian Progressive party (SNS) would not give up power without a fight. What happened next took almost everyone by surprise. Shortly after the polls closed—and before any results projections had been published—Aleksandar Vučić told supporters at SNS headquarters that they had suffered a comprehensive defeat to the Student List. As cheers rang out in the heart of Belgrade, he added that he did “not want unrest” or “anything like that on the streets.” View image in fullscreenHundreds of volunteers joined municipal workers to remove the remains of the Ćaciland camp, opposite Serbia’s national assembly building. Photograph: Guy de Launey The riot police stood aside and the barriers blocking access to the area around Pioneers Park were removed. The goon squad made a quick exit—and Student List supporters joyfully ransacked Ćaciland, setting fire to some of the tents. But this is not a movement that likes to leave a mess. Over the two years of anti-corruption protests that led to the Student List’s victory, participants have always cleaned up after themselves. So a call went out for volunteers to restore Pioneers Park to something like its previous state. Hundreds of people answered the appeal and joined municipal workers to remove the remains of Ćaciland. Some dismantled the mangled white tents, while others carefully cleaned and disinfected the climbing frames, swings and slides in the children’s playground. View image in fullscreenWorkers push away a burnt-out trailer bearing a poster of former president Aleksandar Vučić at Pionirski Park. Photograph: Mitar Mitrović/Reuters Radomir Dalic painstakingly combed the grass to remove cigarette butts and other rubbish. Apparently enjoying his work, he said he was overjoyed that the park was finally rid of “criminals with violent intentions towards us.” “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.” 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, enjoy a normal life without violence and without anyone torturing us.” View image in fullscreenRadomir Dalic said dealing with the rubbish was worth it because Serbia was now free. Photograph: Guy de Launey For now, nobody is asking too many questions about how the Student List will govern. 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. It has no hierarchy and no leader. Its candidates were chosen by a series of student assemblies, with nominations ranging from academics to athletes, economists to engineers. The Student List did publish an 11-point plan. Most of these pThe points address anti-corruption measures—ironically, the very pitch that secured victory for Vučić and the SNS in 2012. Other commitments include judicial reform, media freedom, affordable housing, and improved access to healthcare, with the promise of “a doctor in every village.” But beyond these domestic priorities—essentially, a clean-up of public institutions—little is clear. The Student List went into the elections without naming a candidate for prime minister, let alone a possible cabinet.
Supporters of the Student List movement clean Pioneers Park. Photograph: Pierre Crom/Getty Images
Kurt Bassuener, co-founder of the Democratization Policy Council, said he was concerned about what that might mean once the euphoria of victory faded and the serious business of forming a government began.
The thinktank chief added: “I’m hoping there is a dream scenario plan here—that they have portfolios and people with credibility in particular issue areas who can hit the ground running. Because the danger of a broad coalition like this is that the fissures will show soon after victory.”
Ilija Srdanović, who was ranked first on Student List’s roster of candidates, said the party was fully democratic and would resist ‘the cult of personality’. Photograph: Guy de Launey
Ilija Srdanović, the candidate ranked first on the Student List, has played down the potential for strife. A cardiologist at the university in Novi Sad—the city where a deadly roof collapse sparked the student protests—he has protested alongside the students since the early days. However, he was keen to emphasise that his ranking on the list did not mean he would become prime minister.
“The student movement is fully democratic,” he said, adding that the aim was to break with Serbia’s history of “creating the cult of personality or leadership.”
The 250 candidates on the Student List were “equal subjects in this struggle,” Srdanović insisted, with “numerous candidates who can be chosen for the prime minister position or any other position.”
But his confidence does little to reassure those who have noticed that the broad spread of views among Student List candidates could lead to trouble. Despite Vučić’s warnings that a Student List government would impose sanctions on Russia and recognise Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, the movement’s foreign and regional policy remains opaque.
“We have not seen seas of EU flags at demonstrations by students or the marches across Serbia,” said Michael Davenport, a former EU and UK ambassador to the country.
Supporters of the Student List celebrate the party’s win at the Slavija roundabout in Belgrade on Wednesday. Photograph: Andrej Ivanov/Getty Images
“There are massive policy areas where there is no consensus among the Student List or those who have been elected. The approach towards accession to the European Union is not clear, nor is the position on regional issues like Bosnia and Herzegovina and, very particularly, Kosovo.”
Many people are happy to leave these concerns for another day. Vučić and the SNS have fallen—and the cacophony of car horns continued throughout Monday as drivers passed the clean-up crew in Pioneers Park.
One visible symbol of the old regime has been swept away. Student List voters are hoping more will follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the topic Its the smell of freedom Belgrade cleans up after Student List victory
Beginner Questions
What does Student List refer to in this context
It refers to a studentled political coalition or movement in Serbia that won a significant electoral victory prompting celebrations and cleanup efforts in Belgrade
Why is the phrase Its the smell of freedom being used
Its a quote capturing the emotional mood of supporters celebrating the Student Lists victory symbolizing hope and a new political atmosphere
What is happening in Belgrade after the victory
Supporters and volunteers are cleaning up streets squares and public spaces after celebrations removing trash and restoring order
Who is doing the cleanup
Mostly student volunteers and supporters of the movement often joined by ordinary citizens
Why is cleaning up after a celebration newsworthy
It signals civic responsibility and a sense of ownership over public spaces contrasting with typical postelection chaos and reflecting the movements values
Intermediate Questions
What does the Student List stand for
The movement generally represents anticorruption democratic reform and youthdriven political change in Serbia though specific platforms vary
Why did the victory trigger large public celebrations
The win was seen as an upset against entrenched political forces energizing young voters and citizens who wanted change
How did the cleanup become part of the story
Volunteers organized cleanups voluntarily turning the aftermath into a symbol of responsibility and unity rather than just a party
What problems can arise during such cleanups
Issues include lack of equipment waste disposal logistics safety concerns and coordinating large numbers of volunteers
What practical tips help organize a postcelebration cleanup
Plan waste collection points in advance assign team leaders provide gloves and bags coordinate with local sanitation services and use social media to mobilize volunteers
Advanced Questions
What political significance does the Student List victory have for Serbia
It may signal a shift in youth political engagement and challenge dominant parties though its longterm impact depends on governance and coalitionbuilding
How does the cleanup reflect the movements broader ideology
It emphasizes civic duty transparency and collective responsibilityvalues often central to reformist student movements
