Serbia Student Coalition Names Six Leaders to Guide Transition

The student-backed political coalition in Serbia has identified six key figures to lead its transition into government. The roster includes Dejan Soskic, a former central bank governor, Ilija Srdanovic, a university cardiologist, and Dejan Bodiroga, a former basketball player now serving in a European sports executive role. The selection process concluded after months of public debate regarding the composition of the new leadership team.

Soskic, 59, brings the most direct government experience to the group. He served as the governor of the National Bank of Serbia from 2010 to 2012. Since leaving that post, he has consistently criticized the prevalence of corruption in the country. He stated that the issue is "much more prevalent [in Serbia] than in neighboring countries."

The coalition plans to implement specific administrative changes under Soskic's guidance. He vowed to remove "bad staff" from government roles and initiate investigations into the property ownership of public officials. The group also intends to accelerate reforms required for European Union membership. Soskic indicated that the final decision on accession would be determined by a national referendum. He has also criticized Western sanctions against Russia, urging Brussels to revise its approach toward the Kremlin.

Srdanovic, 56, was named the lead candidate for the list in September. He is a professor at the University of Novi Sad and a cardiologist. While he has not ruled out the prime ministership, he noted that the list has "more than one candidate for every position." He stated that the group will prioritize addressing "organized crime and corruption." Srdanovic supports Serbia's claims on Kosovo and affirmed that the decision on EU accession "will be made by the citizens."

Bodiroga, 53, is currently the president of Euroleague Basketball, an organization headquartered in Spain. Serbian media have described him as the list's "most famous name." His political positions remain less defined than those of his colleagues. He publicly condemned the government's treatment of student protesters, rejecting the characterization of them as "terrorists." During rallies, he urged protesters to "fight for freedom, for dignity, for a society in which there will be no hatred or division, but mutual respect, justice and solidarity."

Estela Radonjic Zivkov, a cultural heritage expert, gained prominence during the dispute over a planned Trump-branded hotel in Belgrade. The project proposed building on the site of the NATO-damaged General Staff building. Zivkov served as deputy director of the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments. She accused the government of violating cultural heritage laws to approve the project and was subsequently removed from her position. She said her priority will be to "restore independence and professional integrity to protection institutions," allowing experts to decide "based solely on the law and rules of the profession, without political and economic pressure."

Zoran Djajic, a 71-year-old engineer, gained public attention by blaming corruption for the fatal collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad railway station. While working as a stonework consultant at the site until 2023, he documented what he considered to be poor construction. He has voiced strong criticism of former leader Aleksandar Vucic. Djajic was arrested in April 2025 after calling for the death penalty for the then-president. Following the electoral victory, he vowed that Vucic would face charges of high treason, writing that "the time of truth and justice is coming!"

Tihomir Stanic, a 65-year-old actor, joins the group after a career spanning more than 130 film and television productions. He was born in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In October 2025, he resigned from Belgrade's Academy of Arts alongside other members. The resignations were cited as a response to a "gross violation of academic practice and integrity that culminated in threats to students." Stanic has called for the removal of political influence from cultural institutions. He claimed the Vucic government "began to determine who would manage the theater, how it would function, who would work, who would not, who would get a chance and who would be punished."

The coalition is scheduled to formalize its government structure in the coming weeks. The six named individuals represent a mix of technical expertise, public prominence, and professional background. The group has outlined its initial policy goals, focusing on corruption, EU integration, and institutional independence.