The end of Vucic rule
The Student List secured 52.54 per cent of the vote in Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections, successfully defeating Aleksandar Vucic’s United Serbia electoral slate, which earned 39.29 per cent of the total votes cast across the entire nation. This victory ends the 14 years of power held by the Serbian Progressive Party. Vucic acknowledged his defeat at 9.30 p.m. on Sunday, noting that the Student List will command 140 seats while his party holds 104. Supporters filled city centres with noise, using car horns and fireworks to celebrate the defeat of the ruling coalition. I find the 4.2 million participating voters more telling than any other statistic. Vucic had previously proposed to remain in power by running for Prime Minister after dissolving Parliament in late September.
| Candidate List | Percentage of Vote | Parliament Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Student List | 52.54% | 140 |
| United Serbia | 39.29% | 104 |
The Student List candidates
The movement grew from protests starting in November 2024 after the Novi Sad railway station disaster killed 16 people. These protests lasted nearly two years before students formed a political list to fight the Serbian Progressive Party. The 250-name list contains professors and doctors, such as cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic at the first position and Mirjana Nikolic, the rector of the Belgrade University of Arts. Mirjana Nikolic told The New Union Post that the principles of the Student List aim to allow Serbia to make progress toward European integration through respect for the country’s highest legal act. Dejan Bodiroga holds the 24th position on the list. He told The Guardian that Serbia votes to decide between the future and the past, having won three Euroleague titles and two World Championships. His career included playing for Zadar, Trieste, Olimpia Milano, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, Barcelona, and Virtus Roma, and he was selected by the Sacramento Kings for the NBA. During the final days of the campaign, students marched toward Belgrade on October 22, accompanied by crowds of elderly people and children. I consider the group’s lack of political experience a liability, but their 140 seats provide a significant mandate. The campaign involved what the movement described as an unequal struggle between a system that controls state institutions and a movement of people with high energy and revolt against the leadership.
Regional reactions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated the Student List and said the EU stands ready to support reforms regarding the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption and strong democratic institutions. Commissioner Marta Kos described the election as a turning point following student-led protests for democracy, the rule of law and political accountability. Kos added that the door to the EU is open and that a new chapter can begin for Serbia. Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic and President Jakov Milatovic both expressed hope for a new chapter in relations based on respect, sincere dialogue and a shared European future. In Hungary, Prime Minister Peter Magyar spoke by phone with Student List leaders to assure them of support. Magyar mentioned that the victory of his own party in April gave him strength during this struggle. Croatia’s Social Democratic Party leader Sinisa Hajdas Doncic said the result presents an opportunity for political change and the opening of a new chapter in relations with Croatia and the EU. He noted that citizens’ trust carries a great responsibility. Milorad Dodik, a longtime ally of Vucic in Republika Srpska, also congratulated the Student List. The opposition party Mozemo! described the result as a major democratic victory that opens the door to restoring independent institutions, strengthening the rule of law, ensuring media freedom and combatting corruption.
