The Student List won 52.65 percent of the vote in the October 25, 2026, snap parliamentary elections. Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat after his coalition, the Serbian Progressive Party’s "United Serbia" list, received 39.2 percent. The Republic Electoral Commission reported a voter turnout of 68.8 percent, which was the highest since Slobodan Milosevic fell from power in 2000. The Student List, an alliance of 250 academics and professionals, expects to secure 140 of the 250 parliamentary seats. This majority allows the group to form a government without coalition partners. On election day, queues formed outside polling stations and Serbian citizens living abroad turned out in large numbers.
| Result Type | Student List % | United Serbia % |
|---|---|---|
| RIK Official | 52.65 | 39.2 |
| CeSID/Ipsos | 52.9 | 38.8 |
The protest movement grew from demonstrations following the November 1, 2024, railway station canopy collapse in Novi Sad. That disaster killed 16 people. Dijana Hrka, whose 27-year-old son Stefan was one of the victims, said, "This is the victory of all of us, the victory of our children." Political scientist Aleksandar Ivkovic said the election ended a government that displayed authoritarian tendencies. He compared the end of Vucic’s rule to the falls of regimes in Hungary, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. This victory ends 14 years of political rule by Vucic and replaces his administration with a movement led by students and academics.
Who will lead the new government?
The movement, formally known as "Students Are Winning," avoids a single dominant leader and emphasizes civic participation. The list includes professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and journalists. Ilija Srdanovic, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Novi Sad, is the first candidate on the list. Approximately 170 individuals on the list hold doctoral degrees. The Student List, which consists of 250 academics, professionals, and public figures, won nearly 53 percent of the vote and is projected to secure 140 seats in the Serbian parliament.
The Student List program focuses on restoring the rule of law and investigating corruption. Dr. Mario Reljanovic, who holds a PhD in Law, said the movement gives people hope for a society based on justice and the removal of party influence from the public sector. The group also intends to review public contracts and improve healthcare and education. Dr. Reljanovic expects that professionals with relevant expertise will predominate in ministerial appointments. The group plans to direct money recovered from illegal enrichment toward economic development and public services. The list includes candidates from many backgrounds such as farmers, athletes, and cultural workers. Srdanovic became widely recognized in 2025 after he supported student protests and university blockades. The movement intends to free the judiciary and media from political influence and hold those responsible for the Novi Sad canopy collapse to account.
Will foreign relations change?
The election changes how Serbia relates to the European Union and Russia. Serbia has been an EU candidate country since 2012 but has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia currently supplies about 80 percent of Serbia’s total gas imports.
Marko Todorovic of the Center for European Policy says he does not expect radical foreign-policy shifts. He expects an end to anti-European rhetoric and more objective information about the benefits of European integration. Vucic suggested a change in government could lead to sanctions against Moscow by March or April. Todorovic says there are no indications that sanctions against Russia will be introduced within such a short period because the student movement opposed their introduction during the campaign. The Student List has pledged to pursue EU-oriented reforms and keep Serbia on a European path. Serbia will remain consistent in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The dependence on Russian gas remains a sensitive test for the new government.
