PROTESTING university students have collected signatures across Serbia in support of their request for an early parliamentary election that they hope would oust the government of President Aleksandar Vucic.

The students set up nearly 500 stands in dozens of cities, towns and villages on Sunday for residents to sign the election demand, which is not a formal petition.

Students have said that the action was a means to put further pressure on Mr Vucic and a test of support.

Young protesters have been at the forefront of a nationwide movement against the government.

More than a year of street protests first started in November 2024 after the collapse of a canopy at the railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad killed 16 people.

The disaster was widely blamed on alleged rampant corruption and disregard of construction and safety rules during renovation work at the station.

No-one has been held responsible for the collapse.

Mr Vucic has refused to schedule an immediate early vote, but he has suggested that it could be held sometime next year.

Both parliamentary and presidential elections are due in 2027.