After 14 years in power, aleksandar vucic concedes defeat as students win in serbia

Students claim the lead

Vucic announced the result about an hour and a half after polls closed. Speaking to supporters, he said, “The Students’ List has won,” while blaming independent media and alleged interference by unnamed European countries and an “American deep state” for his party’s loss.

He said the Serbian Progressive Party, known as SNS, won around 1.7 million votes. The Students’ List received around 2.2 million, according to Vucic’s figures.

A movement built through protests

The parliamentary contest matched Vucic and his right-wing party against a diverse, student-led opposition movement. Students had protested his government for two years and gained support across the country.

The students presented their campaign as non-partisan, emphasizing economic renewal and the restoration of democracy. Their leaderless approach sought to challenge Vucic’s one-man rule and promote solidarity.

Tensions and voting concerns

High turnout and mounting tension marked the closely contested election. In central Belgrade, police in anti-riot gear cordoned off the election commission headquarters, while special police vehicles were seen near a park where Vucic’s loyalists had camped for more than a year.

The EU closely watched the election in Serbia, a candidate for membership in the bloc. Earlier local elections in 10 municipalities saw violent attacks on journalists and activists; opposition protests alleging fraud followed the 2023 parliamentary vote.

A challenge to long-standing power

Vucic’s support had weakened since the Novi Sad disaster, and the student movement proved a tougher opponent than Serbia’s fractured opposition had been in the past. His party had been in power for 14 years.