Zehntausende Menschen begrüßten die Studenten, Stefan weinte: "So etwas habe ich noch nie erlebt! Wir müssen gewinnen.

Thousands of citizens gathered in central Belgrade on Wednesday evening to welcome students who had walked for days from various parts of Serbia. The arrival was marked by songs, torches, fireworks, and emotional embraces at Studentska Square, located in front of the University of Belgrade Rectorate. This massive turnout served as a final mobilization before the Student List’s concluding pre-election rally scheduled for Thursday and parliamentary elections set for Sunday. The marchers arrived from three main directions. A column originating in Novi Sad traveled through Zemun and crossed the Branko Bridge to reach the square shortly after 11 p.m. They joined groups that had already arrived from western Serbia. Other columns departed from Zajechar, Sabac, Valjevo, and Gornji Milanovac over several days. As these groups moved through towns and villages, local residents joined them, and some were accompanied by agricultural convoys featuring tractors. At the reception site, red carpets were laid out in certain areas. Participants sang popular tracks including “Jurjevdan,” “Three Kisses,” and “For a Million Years.” The song “Three Kisses” has become a symbol of the student protests because the number three corresponds to the position of the Student List on the electoral ballot. Another song, “Pour Rain, Cold Water,” featured lyrics adapted by the crowd into a message demanding the departure of President Aleksandar Vucic. A nineteen-year-old participant named Stefan, who walked from Gornji Milanovac, wept upon reaching his destination. He stated that he had taken more than 150,000 steps according to his phone application and described the experience as the most beautiful thing he had ever lived. He expressed confidence that the movement would win the upcoming election. Another student, Bogdan, addressed the crowd regarding the unity among participants from different regions. He noted that despite coming from separate starting points, there were no differences among them, declaring that they were all one nation. Political figures associated with the Student List greeted the marchers on the Branko Bridge. Candidates Zeljkо Hubach, Ilija Srdanovic, Jovo Bakic, and Tihomir Stanic joined the procession toward the square. In Zemun, actor Dragan Jovanovic welcomed the group and rode in a tractor. Prince Philip Karadjordjevic and Princess Danica also greeted the students during the evening. Security forces maintained a heavy presence near the Serbian Presidency building as the columns approached the city center. Police vehicles and buses were stationed in the area. Some protesters chanted for the arrest of Vucic and sang songs calling for the end of the current government. Despite fatigue from the multi-day walk, many continued to the square for the joint celebration. The student movement emerged following the collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, which killed sixteen people. Initial demands focused on accountability for the tragedy and anti-corruption measures. These protests evolved into a broader political force. The Student List, formally known as “Students Win,” is currently considered the primary challenger to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. The gathering concluded a period of intense political crisis in Serbia that began nearly two years ago. The movement aims to achieve political change through the upcoming vote. Local residents, including two women from Belgrade who waited hours for the arrival, cited freedom as their motivation for attending. One woman argued that even if the opposition lost, the public would return to the streets, criticizing the existing system for its lack of morality and failure to function properly. The final rally will take place at Slavija Square at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 22. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for Sunday, October 25.