After 12 years in power as both Prime Minister and President, Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat in Serbia's early parliamentary elections to the Student List, a civic movement that has sparked the largest protests in recent history across the Balkans.
In a televised address from the Serbian Progressive Party's headquarters, Vučić announced, "It's apparent we've lost these elections. The Student List has secured between 135 and 140 seats, while we have 105. No other party has entered Parliament."
As reported by Politico, the election results prompted tens of thousands to flood the streets of Belgrade, chanting "Gotov je!" or "It's over!"—echoing the chants from October 2000 that signaled the end of Slobodan Milošević's regime.
Voter turnout reached nearly 70%, the highest since Yugoslavia's dissolution in 1992, according to CRTA and the independent electoral commission.
The catalyst for this political upheaval was the collapse of the Novi Sad train station canopy in November 2024, resulting in 16 deaths. The tragedy was linked by students to systemic corruption in infrastructure projects, leading to demands for Vučić's resignation and subsequent early elections in September 2026.
A New Political Landscape
The Student List, officially registered as "Studentska lista – Studenti pobeđuju" ("Students Win"), fielded 250 largely unknown candidates, including doctors, engineers, professors, actors, and athletes. The list was led by Ilija Srdanović, a 56-year-old cardiologist and professor at the University of Novi Sad's Faculty of Medicine, who was moved to tears upon learning of their victory.
"No more tyranny in our country! We are moving towards a civilized and better Serbia," Srdanović declared to the media.
This student-led triumph is part of a broader trend reshaping European politics. In April 2026, Viktor Orbán lost Hungary's elections after 16 years in power, while in May 2025, pro-European candidate Nicușor Dan defeated pro-Russian George Simion in Romania.
International Relations and Challenges
Vučić, a right-wing populist who kept Serbia from aligning with European sanctions against Russia, visited Moscow in May 2025 for Victory Day celebrations and maintained close ties with Cuba's regime. In June 2023, he hosted Miguel Díaz-Canel in Belgrade, signing visa waiver and agricultural cooperation agreements, stating, "In the heart of Europe, Cuba has a supportive friend."
Just weeks before the elections, in September 2026, Vučić met with Cuban Deputy Minister Gerardo Peñalver Portal, Díaz-Canel's envoy, to discuss bilateral cooperation, according to a MINREX statement.
Under Vučić's rule, Serbia was labeled an "electoral autocracy" by the V-Dem Institute and "partially free" by Freedom House. Reporters Without Borders listed him as a "predator of press freedom" in 2025, ranking Serbia 104th globally, the lowest among EU and Balkan nations.
The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, promptly congratulated the Student List and expressed readiness to advance Serbia's stalled EU membership candidacy, which has been on hold since 2012 due to democratic deficits and Serbia's refusal to impose sanctions on Moscow.
The major question now is the governance strategy: the Student List has yet to clearly define its foreign policy and must navigate complex relations with Russia, a key natural gas supplier; China, a major investor; and the European Union, Serbia's largest trading partner.
"The greatest uncertainty lies in who will lead the government, who the key ministers will be, and how they will act on their promises to combat corruption, restore the rule of law, and reposition Serbia's foreign policy," warned Radivoje Grujic, an election consultant based in Warsaw.
Understanding Serbia's Political Shift
What caused Aleksandar Vučić's defeat in the elections?
Vučić's defeat was largely attributed to public dissatisfaction following the Novi Sad train station collapse, which was linked to systemic corruption. This incident ignited widespread protests led by the Student List.
Who are the key figures in the Student List movement?
The Student List includes a variety of professionals such as doctors, engineers, and professors. It is led by Ilija Srdanović, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Novi Sad.
How might Serbia's foreign relations change under the new government?
The Student List has not yet clarified its foreign policy direction, but it will need to manage relations with Russia, China, and the European Union, balancing Serbia's economic needs and political alignments.