Upcoming Parliamentary Elections in Serbia Amid Student Protests

Serbia is gearing up for parliamentary elections this October 25, and leading up to the vote, there have been significant “student protests.” Interestingly, funding from USAID continues to support the Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability (CRTA), an entity that’s backing the opponents of current leader Aleksandar Vučić.

The data from USASpending.gov reveals that CRTA has received over $832,000, with an additional $2.8 million still on the table. This organization, a non-governmental group, is behind the protests happening across Serbia. Their website has been tracking elections, media influence, and public opinion, and it even published a list of demands from students directed at the government.

According to a recent report from Reuters, this student protest movement has grown to be a major political force in the country. They are seen as a serious challenge to Vučić’s long-standing grip on power, which he has held as both prime minister and president since 2014.

A poll from earlier this month indicated a tight race, with Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) trailing slightly behind candidates supported by the students, just a couple of percentage points apart.

In late September, Vučić resigned as president to contest the prime minister role he previously occupied from 2014 to 2017 before his presidential election.

He has made claims about foreign influence attempting to disrupt Serbia, particularly pointing fingers at NGOs like CRTA. Back in 2025, authorities in Serbia sought details regarding the misuse of USAID funds, with prosecutor Nenad Stefanovic revealing in an interview that the Serbian Special Anti-Corruption Department reached out to the U.S. Justice Department over concerns of potential fund misusage, money laundering, and inappropriate spending of U.S. taxpayer money in Serbia.

In 2023, USAID awarded CRTA funding for the Elections Integrity Activity, which was subsequently expanded just before President Trump’s second inauguration.

On October 16, the U.S. Embassy in Serbia issued a demonstration alert, advising Americans to stay informed through local media, avoid large crowds, and be mindful of their surroundings. The alert highlighted that marches and demonstrations could lead to significant police presence and may disrupt traffic and public transportation.