From the Street to the Ballot Box Student-led protests, while powerful in disrupting established regimes, face significant challenges when attempting to translate that energy into formal political participation and electoral success. The decentralized and non-hierarchical nature that makes these movements effective disruptors often conflicts with the organizational requirements of electoral politics. Historical parallels, such as the ‘Otpor’ movement in Serbia and the student movement in Bangladesh, illustrate the difficulties of transforming mass movements into lasting political organizations capable of winning elections.

• Student movements in Serbia are facing a complex situation with numerous fragmented lists in local elections.
• The transition from a decentralized, leaderless protest movement to a structured political entity for elections is inherently difficult.
• Non-hierarchical movements’ strengths (spontaneity, creativity) can be weaknesses in electoral politics, which often require clear leadership and coherent programs.
• Historical examples like Serbia’s ‘Otpor’ and Bangladesh’s student revolution show movements that shook regimes but faltered in formal politics.
• The ‘iron law of oligarchy’ suggests that organizations seeking power tend to develop internal hierarchies, conflicting with the ideals of many student movements.
• Despite challenges, some movements like Greece’s Syriza and Spain’s Podemos have eventually transformed into political parties, albeit with significant internal changes and compromises.
• The article questions whether the Serbian student movement’s refusal to formalize has become a strategic weakness, potentially leading to political stagnation.
• Overcoming organizational challenges requires a clear understanding of electoral politics’ demands, which may involve paying a price for institutional change.
• While streets can shake systems, only strong organization can change them.