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

Belgrade, Serbia - In an election that marked a seismic political shift, long-serving Serbian leader Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat on Sunday to a student-led opposition movement. The election pitted Vucic and his right-wing party against a diverse coalition of students who had been protesting his government for two years. Vucic, who had been endorsed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and had enjoyed virtually absolute power for 14 years, denounced the student movement as a foreign-led attempt to unseat him.

The surprise victory of the student-led opposition was met with jubilant celebrations in the streets of Belgrade and other Serbian cities. Residents like Dragana Kovacevic expressed joy and relief at the prospect of a more normal and free future for Serbia.