Thousands gather at final student-led rally ahead of Serbia election

Tens of thousands of supporters of Serbia’s student-led opposition movement have gathered in central Belgrade for their final rally ahead of a parliamentary election in which they hope to oust veteran leader Aleksandar Vucic’s party. The crowds filled the capital on Thursday, as Vucic held a rival rally at a sports hall across town. Waving “students are winning” flags and blowing whistles, the marchers converged on Slavija Square, the site of some of the movement’s biggest protests. Sunday’s vote is seen as a chance to end Vucic’s longtime rule. “Really, for the first time in my life, I believe that it is possible,” said Marija Nedeljkovic Radic, 47, who said young people had given her hope of “ a normal country “.