Belgrade streets celebrate as student movement ends 12 years of Vucic rule

Celebrations after the vote

Fireworks, dancing and cheers filled Belgrade as people celebrated Vucic’s concession. Crowds waved flags, sang protest songs and embraced one another; some also hugged and high-fived police officers present on the streets.

With almost 99 per cent of ballots counted, the State Election Commission reported 52.7 per cent for candidates on the Student List, compared with 39.2 per cent for the Serbia Progressive Party (SNS)-led alliance. Preliminary results pointed to a Student List majority in the 250-seat parliament.

Protests shaped the movement

The election followed protests led by young people after a concrete canopy at a rail station in Novi Sad collapsed in 2024, killing 16 young people. Demonstrators around Serbia accused the government of negligence and corruption.

Vucic’s political future

Vucic had served two terms as president and was unable to seek a third. He stepped down last month and sought the post of prime minister. His time leading the SNS was seen as increasingly authoritarian.

At about 9.30pm local time, Vucic cited preliminary results showing strong support for the Student List. Voter turnout was close to 70 per cent, the highest participation recorded since Yugoslavia broke up in 1992.

Questions for the winners

The movement faces the task of deciding who will become prime minister and take other key roles. Its domestic agenda includes tackling graft and improving schooling, while it must also determine Serbia’s place on the international stage.