Serbia's Long-Serving Leader Concedes Defeat to Student-Led Movement

Serbia's long-standing leader Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat on Sunday to a student-led opposition movement, marking a significant political shift in the Balkan nation. The outcome of the highly contested parliamentary election saw the "Students' List" emerge victorious over Vucic's right-wing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

Vucic, who had led Serbia with near-absolute power for 14 years and was endorsed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced his concession about an hour and a half after polls closed. He told supporters that the Students' List had won, though he attributed his party's loss to alleged interference by unnamed European countries, an "American deep state," and Serbia's independent media. Vucic stated that his SNS party received approximately 1.7 million votes compared to the Students' List's roughly 2.2 million.

Supporters of the Students' List immediately took to the streets of Belgrade and other cities to celebrate, honking horns and chanting. The movement, headed by cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic, is comprised of academics, professionals, and public figures selected by university students who have led protests against Vucic for nearly two years.

Ilija Srdanovic (centre), the main candidate on the student-backed electoral list, celebrates the Students' List's victory in the Serbian parliamentary elections on October 25, 2026

The election followed a period of heightened tensions. Police in anti-riot gear were visible in central Belgrade near the election commission headquarters, and special police vehicles were deployed near a park where Vucic loyalists had been camped for over a year.

Vucic had stepped down as president last month to lead the SNS campaign for prime minister. His support had reportedly eroded since a 2024 incident in Novi Sad, where 16 people died due to a collapsed concrete canopy at a train station. This event triggered widespread youth protests blaming high-level corruption and cronyism for the tragedy.

Despite such opposition, Vucic had maintained considerable support, often portrayed by mainstream media as a capable leader navigating global uncertainties. However, the newly formed, leaderless youth movement proved a formidable challenger, rattling his long-held grip on power. The Students' List, despite its name, featured experts, athletes, farmers, and artists as candidates, aiming to counter Vucic's "one-man rule" and foster a sense of community. Their campaign focused on rebuilding Serbia's economy and restoring democracy.

Supporters of the 'Student List' bloc celebrate following the first results of the parliamentary election, in downtown Belgrade, Serbia, October 25, 2026

The student victory has been compared to the recent electoral defeat of an ally of Vucic in Hungary, where youth participation contributed to the ousting of Viktor Orbán. The development is likely to resonate across Europe, which has seen widespread youth and student protests.

Monitors predicted a turnout of around 70%, a level not seen in Serbia since 2000. Long queues were observed at polling stations both domestically and internationally. The European Union had closely monitored the election's conduct, as Serbia is a candidate nation for bloc membership.

Independent election monitors reported numerous irregularities on election day, including instances of photographed ballots suggesting voter pressure and attempted vote-buying. Concerns had previously been raised by international and local monitors regarding the safety and fairness of the campaign, which was marked by detentions, overwhelming government control of media, and reports of surveillance and cyberattacks against activists. Previous local elections earlier this year and the 2023 parliamentary vote were also marred by allegations of fraud and violence.