In a stunning political shift, Serbia's long-standing leader Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat to a student-led protest movement in snap parliamentary elections. The announcement triggered jubilant celebrations in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and other cities across the nation.
The student movement, which emerged less than two years ago following a tragic railway station disaster, managed to secure a decisive victory. With 96% of polling stations counted, the election commission reported that the students garnered 2.24 million votes, translating to 52.65% of the total. Vučić's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) trailed with 1.67 million votes, or 39.2%.
Vučić, a right-wing populist who had served two terms as president, was aiming to return to the prime minister's office, a position he vacated in 2017. His call for snap elections came after two years of protests sparked by the collapse of a canopy at Novi Sad station, which resulted in 16 fatalities. The disaster was attributed to corruption and negligence, fueling public outrage.
Ilija Srdanović, the lead candidate for the Student List, expressed optimism about the future, stating, "This will be a free state." The movement, which drew support from a diverse cross-section of Serbian society, campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. Their manifesto included plans to purge officials who violated rules, halt the appointment of party loyalists to public enterprises, and free the public broadcaster from political influence.
Scenes of celebration unfolded throughout Serbia, with people dancing, chanting "victory, " and setting off fireworks. "Serbia is free, " exclaimed one student, describing the outcome as miraculous. Radomir Saicic, another Student List candidate, emphasized the determination of the Serbian people, declaring that "no force can forever overpower a people who have decided to take their destiny into their own hands."
In Novi Sad, the epicenter of the protests, the atmosphere was electric. David Vasić, among those celebrating, expressed hope for a brighter future. The Student List's success was seen as an "avalanche" that had dismantled an authoritarian regime, a political science professor at the University of Belgrade.
Despite the defeat, Vučić's contributions to Serbia's candidacy for the European Union and his refusal to impose sanctions on Russia were acknowledged. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov praised Vučić's efforts to maintain relations with Russia, expressing hope that the new political force in Belgrade would continue cooperation with Moscow.
Hungary's Prime Minister Péter Magyar welcomed the election results, noting that the Student List's leaders had drawn inspiration from his party's victory over Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule. Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos remarked that a new chapter could begin for Serbia, with the door to the EU open for collaboration.
The elections were marked by high voter turnout, with long queues observed at polling stations across Serbia and in countries with significant Serbian communities, including Slovenia, Germany, and the United States. In Paris, voters braved heavy rain to cast their ballots.
As Serbia looks to the future, attention now shifts to who will lead the Student List as prime minister. With presidential elections scheduled for December, parliament speaker Ana Brnabić currently serves as the caretaker president.
