26.10.2026 06:40
In Serbia's early general elections, the Student List backed by students received 52 percent of the vote according to unofficial results, ending Aleksandar Vucic's 12-year rule. Vucic's alliance, which accepted defeat, remained at 39 percent, while thousands of people poured into the streets in the capital Belgrade to celebrate the victory. Aerial footage showed crowds filling the streets dancing, honking horns, and chanting "Victory."
In Serbia's early general elections, the candidates supported by students coming first at the polls led to major celebrations in the capital Belgrade. According to unofficial results, the Student List received 52 percent of the vote, while the alliance led by Aleksandar Vucic remained at 39 percent. After Vucic accepted defeat, thousands of people poured into the streets. Aerial footage showed crowds filling squares and streets.
VICTORY CELEBRATION IN THE STREETS OF BELGRADE
The emergence of candidates backed by students, who have led anti-government protests in Serbia for nearly two years, in the early general elections created great joy in the country.
Thousands of people took to the streets in the capital Belgrade to celebrate the election results. Aerial footage showed crowds filling the streets dancing, cars honking, and protesters chanting "Victory."
With the election results, Aleksandar Vucic's 12-year rule came to an end, and a new political era began in the country.
VUCIC ACCEPTED DEFEAT
Aleksandar Vucic, who left the presidency and ran for prime minister, acknowledged his alliance's defeat in a statement after the elections.
Noting that the final results had not yet been announced, Vucic said the Student List would win between 135 and 140 seats in parliament, while his own "Aleksandar Vucic – United Serbia" alliance would remain at around 105 parliamentary seats.
Vucic used the following statements in his announcement:
"I wanted to come out and say it upfront so you would not wait too long. We will do what is required of us as the opposition. The struggle continues."
THE STUDENT LIST RECEIVED 52 PERCENT OF THE VOTE
The Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID) in Serbia announced that, according to unofficial results, 56 percent of the votes had been counted.
Accordingly, the Student List received 52 percent of the vote, while Vucic's list, led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), remained at 39 percent.
More than 6.4 million registered voters in the country went to the polls to determine the new members of the 250-seat National Assembly of Serbia.
The Serbian State Election Commission (RIK) announced that, as of 19:00, voter turnout was 67.6 percent. The country's press noted that turnout, which was 58 percent in the 2023 elections, could reach a record level in this election.
THE TRAIN STATION DISASTER IN WHICH 16 PEOPLE DIED BECAME A TURNING POINT
The foundations of the student movement in Serbia were laid after the train station disaster in the city of Novi Sad on November 1, 2024.
Sixteen people died when the concrete entrance canopy of the train station, which had undergone renovation work, collapsed.
After the disaster, allegations regarding the lack of oversight in construction work, corruption, and the use of public resources caused reactions across the country.
University students launched protests demanding that those responsible for the incident be revealed, the relevant documents be shared with the public, and the authorities be held accountable.
The demonstrations quickly spread to different cities. With the participation of academics, teachers, farmers, artists, and citizens from various professional groups, the protests turned into a large-scale anti-government movement.
STUDENTS ENTERED THE ELECTION WITH THEIR OWN LIST
The students who started the protests decided to establish a political formation independent of traditional opposition parties.
It was decided to participate in the elections under the name "Student List" with candidates determined at meetings held at universities.
Instead of running directly as candidates, the students aimed for the names they supported from different segments of society to enter parliament.
About 70,000 signatures were collected for the list submitted to the election commission in September.
150,000 PEOPLE GATHERED IN BELGRADE BEFORE THE ELECTION
The mass demonstrations held before the elections revealed the student movement's support across the country.
According to independent crowd estimates, approximately 150,000 people attended the last major rally held in the capital Belgrade on October 22.
Students who reached the capital on foot from different cities of Serbia called for a change of power with Serbian flags and "Students Win" slogans.
The movement's election promises included fighting corruption, ensuring the independence of public institutions, the rule of law, and democratic reforms.
VUCIC HAD LEFT THE PRESIDENCY TO BECOME PRIME MINISTER
Aleksandar Vucic, who assumed important roles in Serbian politics over the last 14 years, first became deputy prime minister after the Serbian Progressive Party came to power in 2012.
Vucic, who took office as prime minister in 2014, was elected president in 2017.
Vucic, who left the presidency in September 2026, ran for prime minister in the early general elections.
Vucic, who entered the elections at the head of the "Aleksandar Vucic – United Serbia" alliance, accused the student movement throughout the campaign of being a foreign-backed political initiative.
Opponents, meanwhile, criticized the government's influence over public institutions and the media. On election day, allegations of violence, pressure on voters, and irregularities in some areas also came to the fore.
EYES ON THE FORMATION OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT
After the Student List's lead at the polls, developments regarding the government formation process in Serbia are awaited.
After the final results are announced, the distribution of seats in parliament is expected to become clear and negotiations are expected to begin on forming a new government.
In Serbia, a candidate country for the European Union, it is a matter of curiosity what path the new administration will follow on combating corruption, the rule of law, foreign policy, and economic reforms.