Historic Election in Serbia: Aleksandar Vucic Admits Defeat Against the Student Movement
Aleksandar Vučić, who has been in power in Serbia since 2014, has conceded defeat to a student movement in snap general elections. The movement, which emerged following the 2024 train station tragedy, secured a majority in parliament, ending a political era in the country.
In the snap general elections held in Serbia on October 25, 2026, long-time leader Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat to the movement known as the 'Student List'. The movement, which organized following the November 2024 tragedy at the Novi Sad train station that claimed 16 lives, entered the elections on an anti-corruption platform and won 141 seats in the 250-seat parliament, reaching 52.9% of the vote. Vučić's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) remained at 103 seats.
In the elections, which saw the highest turnout since the dissolution of Yugoslavia, approximately 70% of voters went to the polls. Led by cardiologist Ilija Srdanović, the Student List secured a majority in parliament by receiving 2.25 million votes according to election results. Vučić, who resigned from his presidency to be eligible for the prime ministry, now faces the task of managing the transition process following the election results.
The election results also resonated in the international arena. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the results, while Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed hopes for continued cooperation. New presidential elections are now expected to be held in Serbia to determine Vučić's successor.