Student movement wins parliamentary elections in Serbia

On October 25, 2026, Serbia held snap parliamentary elections that resulted in a historic victory for a student-led protest movement. Long-time leader Aleksandar Vucic, who had resigned from the presidency in September to run for prime minister, officially conceded defeat after preliminary results indicated his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) secured 105 seats, while the Student List garnered between 135 and 140 seats in the new parliament.

The election followed nearly two years of widespread demonstrations triggered by a 2024 tragedy in Novi Sad, where a railway station canopy collapse claimed 16 lives. The protests focused on grievances regarding government corruption, authoritarianism, and poor public accountability. The movement gained significant momentum, drawing support from groups like the Democratic Party and Kreni Promeni, and ultimately succeeded in challenging the dominance of the SNS and their long-term allies, the Socialist Party of Serbia.

Following the concession, it is expected that the new parliamentary majority will move to form a government, marking a profound political shift for the Balkan nation. Vucic acknowledged that no other political groups surpassed the threshold to enter parliament, effectively transferring legislative control to the student-backed coalition.