Serbia's Student List party proposes increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP

On November 8, 2026, the 'Student List' party, which recently won the elections in Serbia, announced a comprehensive plan to reform the nation's armed forces. Represented by military spokesperson Luka Ponorac, the party revealed a proposal to gradually increase national defense spending from the current 2%-2.5% to a long-term goal of 5% of GDP. The implementation of this policy remains conditional upon the actual state of the economy to be inherited by the new government.

The proposed military program includes the construction of a strategic, multi-layered anti-aircraft dome designed to enhance regional security. Additionally, the plan seeks to rectify salary imbalances within the military, where specific allowances currently lead to lower-ranking special forces personnel earning more than senior officers or professors at the Military Academy. The government intends to implement a horizontal pay increase of 20%-30% for all personnel, aimed at standardizing compensation structures and improving the professional standing of the military workforce.