Jovanovic offers Novi DSS mandates to oust Vucic
The Authentic Right list leader told BBC News Serbian that his list's seats are available to remove Aleksandar Vucic, if Novi DSS joins the next executive government.
The leader of the Authentic Right electoral list and president of the New Democratic Party of Serbia (Novi DSS), Milos Jovanovic, said in an interview with BBC News Serbian that his list’s mandates are available to remove Aleksandar Vucic, but only if Novi DSS joins the new executive government. Serbian media carried the statement on October 2, 2026, less than a month before the elections scheduled for October 25.
What did Jovanovic say about working with the Student List?
Jovanovic said he is ready to cooperate with the Student List and other opposition players, provided the goal is to remove Aleksandar Vucic from power. He described such a coalition as one of a technical nature. He put it this way to BBC News Serbian:
“If our votes, that is, our mandates, are needed to remove Aleksandar Vucic, they are available. Not only are they available, we will take part in the removal, but then we take part all the way, as part of the new executive government.”
In other words, the condition is a place in the new executive government.
What does Jovanovic object to in the Student List?
According to him, the Student List has no answers to some of the most important questions, among them Serbia’s relationship with the European Union and with Russia. Jovanovic himself, as BBC reports, opposes Serbia’s EU membership, advocates military neutrality and rejects recognition of Kosovo’s independence.
Relations with Russia are a topic we have covered before, when the Student List published its position that it is against sanctions on Russia.
The Authentic Right, Novi DSS and Monarchists list was certified by the Republic Electoral Commission under number 8, with 250 candidates.
Has the Student List responded?
The Student List’s response to Jovanovic’s words was not recorded in the reports on his statement. The next day, October 3, the daily Danas published an interview with Aleksandar Baucal, a professor at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade and a candidate on the Student List. It is not a direct reply to Jovanovic, because it came in answer to a question from Danas about post-election cooperation with the Authentic Right, the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) and minority lists. Baucal said:
“I believe that the primary goal of every democratic right is a normal and good state, and that the Authentic Right shares that goal, which means cooperation is possible.”
In the same interview Baucal also said how he sees the outcome of the vote. “What I see and feel is that the Student List will have a majority and will not have to form coalitions,” he said, adding that the Student List will work with all parliamentary groups that contribute to the goal of building a normal state.
So two different starting points are taking shape ahead of the vote. Jovanovic ties his offer to a share in government and to the technical nature of the alliance, while Baucal counts on a majority that would make a coalition unnecessary, yet does not rule out cooperation with the Authentic Right.
