Vor Regierungswechsel: Vucic: Studentenliste gewinnt Wahl in Serbien

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has conceded defeat in the parliamentary elections, with the opposition Student List emerging victorious. The Student List secured between 135 and 140 of Serbia's 250 seats, meeting the threshold for a government majority. Jubilation erupted in the streets of Belgrade, with predominantly young people celebrating in the city center.

Shortly after Vucic's announcement, the CRTA research group released their projection results, stating that the Student List garnered 51.5% of the votes, in comparison to the SNS's 40.4%. No other party managed to enter the parliament, requiring a three-percent threshold for entry, except for ethnic minority parties with a one-percent threshold.

The election saw record turnout, with CRTA reporting 67.8% of eligible voters by 19:00, one hour before local polling stations closed. The election was widely viewed as a referendum on Vucic's leadership, as he has led Serbia alone since 2012. Critics accuse him of corruption and ties to organized crime, and he resigned as President in late September to become Prime Minister if his party won the election.

The Student List, which formed after the Novi Sad train station tragedy in November 2024, where 16 people died, is primarily composed of university professors, doctors, and artists, led by cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic from Novi Sad. The party's 11-point agenda promises to restore the rule of law and democracy, pursue corruption and crime.

Unusual irregularities such as photographing ballot papers were reported in 48% of polling stations, and media reported violent attacks on election observers and journalists. Serbia has been negotiating EU membership since 2014 with little progress, observers attribute this to the erosion of democracy under Vucic.