Serbia’s strongman leader Vucic concedes defeat to student-led movement in seismic political shift

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat on Sunday in a highly contested parliamentary election, marking a significant political shift in the Balkan country. Vucic, who had led with virtual absolute power for 14 years, acknowledged that his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party would receive around 105 seats, while the student-led Students List, backed by university students, projected to win between 135 and 140 seats.

The election, which saw a high turnout of Serbia's 6.4 million voters, pitted Vucic's SNS party against the youth-backed Students List, who accused the government of corruption and dismantling democracy. Supporters of the Students List celebrated on the streets of Belgrade and other cities, chanting "Aleksandar is gone." The opposition movement, composed of university students, had built a popular following across the country by accusing the government of corruption and advocating for democracy.

Vucic blamed alleged interference by unnamed European countries and an "American deep state," as well as Serbia's independent media, for his party's loss. The election outcome came after tensions built during the day, with police in anti-riot gear cordoning off areas in central Belgrade. The Students List movement, composed of little-known experts, athletes, farmers, and artists, aimed to counter Vucic's one-man rule and restore a sense of community and solidarity.

The students' message focused on rebuilding Serbia's economy and restoring democracy. The election's outcome echoed recent electoral defeats of Vucic allies, such as in Hungary, where youth participation helped oust an autocratic leader. The election's high turnout and student victory highlighted the growing influence of youth and student protests across Europe.