The Serbian people went to the polls on Sunday, October 25, for an early general election described as a referendum on the country's future.
Students who have led protests in Serbia for the past two years have defeated Aleksandar Vučić, who has governed the country for 14 years, at the ballot box. According to unofficial results, the list backed by the students won a majority in parliament.
He concedes defeat
Vučić, who resigned from the presidency to become a candidate for prime minister, acknowledged that the “Student List” had won the election. Vučić, who has been at the center of Serbian politics for 14 years, also conceded defeat on election night. Addressing his supporters at his party's headquarters in Belgrade, he said:
“We do not yet have the final results. However, based on the data we have, it is clear that we have lost this election. The Student List has won. They will win between 135 and 140 seats, while we will win 105.”
For a description of the situation just before election click here: From the streets to the ballot box: Elections in Serbia after two years of protests
The student protests that began following the railway station disaster in Novi Sad have opened the door to a new era in the country's politics with the election results. According to Anadolu Agency (AA), Vučić, the prime ministerial candidate on the “Aleksandar Vučić–United Serbia” list led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), claimed that the election results were the product of a process backed by foreign forces. Despite conceding defeat, Vučić said they would continue their struggle in opposition.
Vučić became prime minister in 2014 and was elected president twice, in 2017 and 2022. By resigning from the presidency to run in the election as a candidate for prime minister, Vučić suffered a major defeat with significant implications for his political future after 12 years in power.
According to the BBC, Vučić called the early election following two years of protests that began in 2024, after a canopy at a railway station collapsed and killed 16 people. The incident had come to symbolize corruption and negligence in Serbia.
A victory for the students
Voter turnout reached a record level. Initial figures released by Serbia's election commission showed that 64.9% of eligible voters had cast their ballots by 6 p.m. local time, indicating record participation with two hours remaining before the polls closed.
According to unofficial results announced by Serbia's Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID), with 56% of the votes counted, the Student List had received 52% of the vote, while Vučić's list, led by the SNS, had received 39%. More than 6.4 million registered voters in the country went to the polls to elect the new members of Serbia's 250-seat National Assembly.
Serbia's State Election Commission (RIK) announced that voter turnout had reached 67.6% by 7 p.m. local time. Serbian media reported that turnout could reach record levels. Turnout in the 2023 election was recorded at 58%.
“We can finally breathe”
Celebrations began in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and many other cities following Vučić's announcement. Thousands of people gathered in public squares, cars honked their horns, and demonstrators embraced one another.
Chants of “Victory, victory!” also rang out at the Student List's election headquarters. Speaking on behalf of the students, Radomir Saičić, a professor at the University of Belgrade, addressed the crowd:
“Dear Serbia, tonight the people's voice is being heard. Tonight we celebrate victory; tomorrow we will build the future.”
Ilija Srđanović, one of the Student List's prominent candidates, said: “This will be a free country.”
Students have been in the streets for two years
The student protests, which began after 16 people were killed when a concrete canopy collapsed at the railway station in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, and continued for nearly two years, increased pressure on Vučić and his government.
Following the Novi Sad accident, the student movement entered the early general election under the slogan “Student List—Students Are Winning” and declared victory in yesterday's election.
Academic Radomir Saičić, delivering the victory speech on behalf of the Student List, thanked everyone who had voted and said they would begin building the future.
Vučić's close ties with Israel also drew attention
Meanwhile, Vučić, who remained in power in Serbia for 12 years, was also one of the leaders noted for his close relations with Israel.
Vučić said his country would jointly manufacture combat drones with Israel. He also inaugurated a new assembly plant for Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with the aim of strengthening Serbia's military capabilities.
Vučić also referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as his “friend.”
(Sources: Medyascope, BBC, Anadolu Agency, bianet)
