Student protest movement claims historic win as Vucic is defeated in Serbia election

Vucic concedes election defeat

Aleksandar Vucic acknowledged on Sunday that his party had lost to the student-led Students’ List. He said his Serbian Progressive Party, known as SNS, expected to secure around 105 seats, while its opponents would win between 135 and 140 in the 250-member Parliament.

Vucic also estimated that SNS had received around 1.7 million votes and the Students’ List about 2.2 million. He blamed independent media and alleged interference by unnamed European countries and an “American deep state” for his party’s loss.

Celebrations and scattered unrest

People gathered in Belgrade and other Serbian cities after the result, with Students’ List supporters driving through the capital, honking horns and chanting. At a central park, crowds removed fences and tents from a camp used by Vucic loyalists for more than a year; one tent later caught fire.

Police in anti-riot gear cordoned off an area near the election commission headquarters. A group of young people threw rocks at police vehicles as they withdrew, while large groups of black-clad men gathered at several points around the city. Belgrade resident Dragana Kovacevic said people were greeting one another with smiles and described the mood as happiness at becoming a “normal and free country.” Dijana Hrka, whose child was among the victims she referred to, told N1 television she had waited two years for the moment.

A movement built through protests

The parliamentary vote followed nearly two years of student-driven demonstrations against perceived corruption and what protesters described as the erosion of democracy. The Students’ List presented itself as a non-partisan effort to rebuild the economy and restore democratic institutions.

Students walked and cycled through the country to reach voters in rural areas, which had traditionally supported Vucic. Their campaign drew people disillusioned with local politicians, despite hostile coverage from pro-government media.

Vucic had held substantial support among voters who saw him as a capable leader during global uncertainty. His party had been in office for 14 years, and he had resigned the presidency last month to seek the post of prime minister after serving nearly two full terms.

Turnout and international response

Serbia’s 6.4 million voters were choosing lawmakers, and monitors forecast turnout could reach around 70%, a level unseen since 2000. Long queues formed at polling stations in Serbia and overseas; some diaspora voters had to cast ballots in the middle of the night because voting hours followed Serbian local time.