Photo: Associated Press
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has conceded defeat in the parliamentary election, saying the Student List will become the largest force in parliament. The student-led movement is projected to win 138 of the 250 seats, compared with 104 for Vučić’s list, The Guardian reported.
The election saw record turnout, which commentators said benefited the student movement. A party needs 126 seats for an outright majority, meaning the Student List could govern without coalition partners.
The movement emerged from protests against corruption in the government and state institutions. Voters cast ballots for closed party lists rather than individual candidates, with a 3% threshold for entering parliament.
“Based on the sample, it is clear that we lost this election. The Student List won — it will have between 135 and 140 seats, while we will have around 105,” Vučić said.
Heavy police presence in Belgrade
Police deployed heavily in central Belgrade on election day, closing parts of streets around the Republican Electoral Commission, parliament and the presidential residence. Riot police stood near parliament, while armored vehicles patrolled the city.
People gathered near police cordons, drivers honked their horns and passersby raised their fists in support of the students. The Student List urged residents to avoid areas with large police deployments and people in plain clothes, calling for the election to conclude “safely, peacefully and with dignity.”
After Vučić conceded defeat, people took to the streets of Belgrade to celebrate.
Opposition-linked election observers reported alleged irregularities in Belgrade and other cities, including aggression against government opponents. They also alleged that police failed to intervene when student supporters were targeted.
Protests that led to early elections
The protest movement began after a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad in November 2024, killing 16 people. Demonstrations grew, with thousands rallying in Novi Sad in June 2026 to demand early elections.
A week later, Vučić unexpectedly announced his resignation as president and called an early election. He subsequently headed the ruling party’s electoral list and said he intended to become prime minister.
