Student-backed movement defeats Vučić alliance in Serbia election

A student-backed opposition movement won Serbia’s snap parliamentary election, prompting longtime leader Aleksandar Vučić to concede defeat and setting off celebrations across Belgrade and other cities.

With almost 99% of ballots counted, the Student List had 52.7% of the vote, compared with 39.2% for the alliance led by Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party, according to the State Election Commission. The result was expected to give the movement a majority in Serbia’s 250-seat parliament. Turnout reached its highest level in more than 30 years.

The Student List grew out of nearly two years of protests following the 2024 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. Demonstrators blamed corruption for the disaster and broadened their campaign to demand government accountability and stronger democratic institutions.

After Vučić acknowledged the loss on Sunday, tens of thousands of people gathered in cities across Serbia, waving flags, sounding car horns and celebrating in public squares. Vučić had dominated national politics as prime minister or president since 2014.

Attention now turns to the formation of a government. The movement campaigned collectively and did not name a candidate for prime minister, although cardiologist and university professor Ilija Srdanović, who headed its candidate list, is viewed as a possible choice. Under Serbia’s constitution, a government may be formed within 90 days after parliament convenes following certification of the final results.