A Banker, A Basketball Star, A Cardiologist, And A Chemist Could Lead New Serbia

• 28.10.2026, 14:05

The new government has a lot of work ahead of it.

After victory of the student movement in Serbia’s snap parliamentary elections, the composition of the new government is being decided. Among the possible candidates for key posts are a former central bank chief, a practicing cardiologist, a basketball legend, and a chemistry professor, writes Reuters.

One of the candidates for leadership positions is Dejan Šoškić, who headed the National Bank of Serbia from 2010 to 2012. He advocates for strict fiscal policy and the strengthening of economic institutions. During the election campaign, the economist proposed devaluing the dinar to make Serbian goods more competitive in foreign markets. This idea sparked controversy due to the decline in the national currency’s exchange rate during his tenure at the central bank.

The student movement’s list is headed by cardiologist and professor Ilija Srdanović. He promises to reform the healthcare system, making it more accessible to citizens. Among the main tasks of the future government, Srdanović cites the fight against corruption and the country’s “existential survival.” At the same time, he does not consider EU accession a top priority and refers to Kosovo as part of Serbia.

Dejan Bodiroga—the former captain of the Yugoslav national basketball team, who now heads the EuroLeague—also played a prominent role in the campaign. He spoke at student rallies and described the election as a struggle “to reclaim the country that has been seized.”

Another potential candidate is chemist Radomir Saičić, a member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. During the protests, he described Serbia as “occupied from within,” supports energy cooperation with Russia, and considers Kosovo a “temporarily occupied territory.” Local media and analysts also cite him as a potential candidate in the upcoming presidential election.