Student List unveils economic programme: Tax reform, spending transparency and support for domestic businesses

 

The movement said public funds should be managed transparently, with greater accountability, a fairer tax system and economic policies focused on improving living standards.

Public contracts and spending transparency

The Student List proposes making all government contracts publicly available, including procurement costs and bidder evaluations.

Contracts involving only one bidder or substantial amendments would be flagged for review by the Budget Inspectorate, while companies violating public contracts could face a three-year ban from procurement procedures.

The programme also proposes reference prices for public construction projects, medicines, IT equipment, vehicles and fuel to identify potentially excessive spending.

Major infrastructure projects would follow standard procurement regulations rather than special legislation.

Existing legislation governing Belgrade Waterfront, EXPO 2027 and major infrastructure projects would be reviewed, with possible amendments or repeal subject to legal and financial assessments.

The movement also pledges to publish borrowing conditions and assess alternative financing options before taking out major government loans.

Stronger oversight of public finances

The programme would limit the government's current budget reserve to 2% of revenue and require public disclosure of spending decisions within eight days.

The Fiscal Council would assess major government guarantees, public-private partnerships and capital investments before decisions are made.

Tax inspections would be selected through electronic risk assessments rather than individual discretion, while the Commission for Protection of Competition would review regulations that could restrict market access.

At least 30% of revenue from permanently confiscated assets would be allocated to healthcare, talented children, scientific research and social welfare.

Strategic public companies to remain state-owned

The Student List opposes unnecessary privatisation and pledges to keep strategically important companies under state ownership.

It proposes parliamentary oversight of state ownership policy and stricter rules governing the sale of public assets.

Management appointments would be based on professional qualifications rather than political connections, with independent supervisory boards selecting directors from a publicly available register of qualified candidates.

Existing management and supervisory appointments made under previous legislation would be reviewed and replaced within 12 months of the new law taking effect.

Progressive taxation and higher taxes on major assets

The programme proposes reducing taxes on labour while increasing taxation of substantial wealth and property holdings.

Income tax would become more progressive, with multiple tax brackets applied directly to monthly salaries.

The tax-free portion of earnings would increase from 23% to 35% of the average wage.

Property tax would be calculated based on an individual's combined real estate holdings, meaning owners of multiple properties could face higher taxes.

Municipalities could also introduce additional taxes on residential properties left vacant for more than 12 months.

Taxes on large inheritances would increase, while spouses, family homes and inheritances below a substantial exemption threshold would remain protected.

Investment incentives and a new development bank

The Student List plans to replace the existing model of subsidising low-wage jobs with incentives for companies offering higher salaries and greater added value.

Existing subsidy agreements would be honoured, while future support would generally be tied to wage levels and local economic development.

Limited job-based subsidies would remain available in severely underdeveloped municipalities.

The movement also proposes doubling research and development spending by 2032, from approximately 1% of GDP, and strengthening cooperation between universities, research institutions and private companies.

A new Development Bank of Serbia would be established by combining the Development Fund and AOFI, providing financing through commercial banks and international development institutions.

The programme also includes additional support for domestic technology startups and innovative businesses.

Public sector reform and digital government

Public sector recruitment would be based on staffing limits and open competitions, replacing the existing general hiring restrictions.

Public sector wage adjustments would be determined annually through the national budget rather than separate government decisions.

The programme also proposes making national ID cards and health insurance cards free, while passports and driving licences would be charged at production cost.

Electronic certificates, official documents and business registration would become free of charge.

By 2028, all administrative procedures should be available online, while traditional in-person services would remain accessible.

Maintaining a stable dinar

The Student List pledges to preserve Serbia's existing exchange rate policy and avoid devaluing the dinar.

The movement argues that devaluation could temporarily support exports but would increase prices and undermine savings.

Its programme also seeks to reduce reliance on foreign currency borrowing.

The share of dinar-denominated public debt, currently estimated at 22.5%, would be increased to 30% by the end of the government's term.

The movement proposes introducing dinar-denominated savings bonds for citizens and encouraging state-owned companies to borrow in the domestic currency whenever market conditions allow.