Serbia strongman leader Vucic concedes defeat as student movement drives seismic political shift

Election results and concession

Vucic announced the outcome about an hour and a half after polls closed. He said his party estimated the Students’ List had received around 2.2 million votes, while the Serbian Progressive Party had about 1.7 million.

At his party’s election-night event, Vucic acknowledged the Students’ List’s win. He also blamed independent media and alleged involvement by unnamed European countries and an “American deep state” for his party’s loss.

Celebrations across Serbia

Crowds gathered in Belgrade and other Serbian cities after the concession. In the capital, Students’ List supporters drove through the streets honking, singing and chanting against Vucic. People also removed fences and tents from a central Belgrade park where Vucic supporters had camped for more than a year. Police in anti-riot gear guarded the area around the election commission, while special police vehicles stood near the camp.

A movement built by students

The election pitted Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party against a broad opposition movement shaped by university students. The movement had spent two years protesting his government and accusing it of corruption and weakening democracy.

Although students formed the movement, none appeared on its election list. Its candidates were described as experts, athletes, farmers and artists, in an effort to offer an alternative to one-man rule and promote solidarity.

Protests and waning support

Vucic had sought to become prime minister after serving nearly two full terms as president, resigning from the presidency last month to lead his campaign. He retained support among voters who saw him as a capable leader, but the student movement challenged his grip on power after 14 years.