A student-led opposition movement has won a majority in Serbia’s snap parliamentary election, ending the political dominance of Aleksandar Vucic, Al Jazeera reported.
Student List Secures Decisive Majority in Belgrade
The Republic Election Commission announced on Monday that the Student List secured 52.54 percent of the vote based on 8,077 processed polling stations out of 8,392. Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party, running under the United Serbia list, captured 39.29 percent of the ballots. Voter turnout reached 68.78 percent, marking a record high in more than 30 years.
The decisive outcome means the Student List will independently form a government in Serbia’s 250-seat parliament. Projections indicate the bloc will claim 140 seats, surpassing the 126 mandates required for a legislative majority. United Serbia is expected to hold 103 seats, with the remaining mandates distributed among the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, an Albanian political bloc, and the Rasim Ljajc-Ljudski and SDA Sandzak lists.
Protests Sparked by Novi Sad Disaster
The electoral victory follows nearly two years of youth-led demonstrations across Serbia. The protests began in 2024 after 16 people died in a railway station canopy collapse in the city of Novi Sad. Demonstrations demanding accountability for the tragedy evolved into a broader political campaign targeting alleged corruption and the capture of democratic institutions.
Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic has resigned as president and will lead his ruling party into a snap parliamentary election on Oct. 25.The Serbian Progressive Party faces a challenge from the ‘Students Win’ movement, which has led nearly two years of anti-government protests. pic.twitter.com/TzyuXMNbxv
During the campaign, the Student List pledged to fight corruption, raise living standards, boost employment, improve education, and restore media freedom and institutional independence. Following the vote, the movement also stated it would work to ease diplomatic tensions with neighboring countries.
Outgoing Leader Concedes Defeat
Aleksandar Vucic acknowledged the loss as crowds celebrated in central Belgrade, Novi Sad, and other cities. “It is clear we have lost these elections,” Vucic stated on October 25, 2026, according to the BBC. Vucic had served two terms as president and, barred from seeking a third, led his party’s parliamentary campaign with the aim of returning to the prime minister’s office, a post he left in 2017.
In Moscow, the Kremlin acknowledged the political shift while praising Vucic’s long-standing alliance with Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow appreciated Vucic’s contributions to bilateral relations and expressed hope that the incoming administration would recognize the mutual benefits of continued energy and economic cooperation with Russia, according to Reuters.
Timeline for Forming the New Government
The new National Assembly must convene within 30 days of the official announcement of final election results. Under statutory rules, a government must then be formed within 90 days, though the Student List’s clear majority removes the necessity for protracted coalition negotiations.
While the movement was led during the campaign by Ilija Srdanovic, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Novi Sad who is viewed as a likely candidate for prime minister, key cabinet posts remain unassigned. Decisions on who will lead the ministries of internal affairs, finance, and justice have not yet been finalized. Meanwhile, Ana Brnabic has served as interim president following Vucic’s resignation on September 27, 2026, with an extraordinary presidential election mandated to take place no later than December 27, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Election
Who leads the Student List movement?
The movement has deliberately avoided highlighting a single leader to emphasize its collective nature, bringing together academics, doctors, and workers. Ilija Srdanovic, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Novi Sad, served as its prominent figure during the campaign.
How many seats does the opposition need for a majority?
A majority in Serbia’s 250-seat parliament requires 126 mandates. The Student List is projected to win 140 seats, allowing the bloc to govern alone.
What is the status of the Serbian presidency?
Following Vucic’s resignation on September 27, 2026, National Assembly President Ana Brnabic assumed temporary presidential duties. An extraordinary presidential vote must occur by December 27, 2026, though the position remains largely ceremonial.
Worth a look