Serbia held snap parliamentary elections on Sunday, resulting in a historic defeat for the long-dominant Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) led by Aleksandar Vucic. The vote marked a significant political shift as a student-led movement won a majority of seats, ending more than a decade of Vucic’s control over the country’s government.

The elections came after nearly two years of widespread protests initiated by students following a fatal collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad railway station in late 2024 that killed 16 people. The tragedy was widely attributed to government corruption and negligence, sparking some of the largest demonstrations in Serbia since the fall of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000. The student movement, largely leaderless but organized under the “Student List,” mobilized diverse segments of Serbian society and emerged as a strong alternative to the ruling SNS.

Voter turnout was notably high, with close to 70 percent participation—Serbia’s highest since the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992. Early voter engagement was strong, reaching over 40 percent by midday, reflecting widespread public interest in the political contest. Around 6.4 million Serbians were eligible to vote for the 250 parliamentary seats, with polls and preliminary results indicating a clear lead for the students’ list over Vucic’s SNS.

Aleksandar Vucic, who resigned as president in September to campaign as the SNS’s candidate for prime minister, conceded defeat on election night, acknowledging the student movement’s victory. He projected that the student-backed list would secure between 135 and 140 seats, compared to around 105 for his party. The concession was met with large celebrations in Belgrade, where thousands gathered to express support for the students and mark the end of Vucic’s extensive political tenure.

The student candidates include a diverse group such as university professors, actors, and farmers, with cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic leading the list. While the election outcome signals a desire for change among voters, significant uncertainties remain regarding who will lead the new government and how the students will implement their agenda, which emphasizes anti-corruption measures and education reform.

International reaction was largely positive, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU officials congratulating the student movement on their victory and expressing readiness to cooperate with Serbia’s new government. However, navigating Serbia’s foreign relations will be complex, given its ties with China, Russia, and the European Union.

Vucic’s critics have accused his administration of authoritarian tendencies, corruption, and suppression of dissent—claims denied by Vucic and the SNS. He also alleged that the student movement received backing from foreign actors, a charge dismissed by the students. Looking ahead, analysts predict potential purges within government institutions loyal to Vucic, while noting that the students face the challenge of translating street protest momentum into stable governance and effective policy reforms.

Overall, Serbia’s parliamentary election reflects a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic development, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the new student-led political formation and the broader balance of power in the Balkans.