Serbian student movement eyes power after election triumph

Students in Serbia have achieved a landmark victory in the recent election, securing a clear majority in parliament and forcing incumbent leader Aleksandar Vucic to concede defeat. The triumph followed widespread protests that erupted after the tragic collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people in 2024. Widely blamed on corruption, the disaster sparked some of Serbia's largest demonstrations since the fall of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.

The Student List, a student-led movement, garnered 53% of the vote, according to independent electoral watchdog CeSID, while Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) received 39%. With 140 MPs in the 250-seat assembly, the Students List now holds a commanding lead, with the SNS holding 103 seats. Minority parties will secure the remaining seats.

The near-record turnout of nearly 70% is believed to have driven the political upset. Shocked observers hailed the historic win, with design student Katarina Malesevic expressing a sense of relief and freedom. Political analyst Dusan Vucicevic noted that the movement's model might not replicate in other countries, but the student-led movement's emphasis on fighting corruption and promoting justice, freedom, and dignity has resonated across Europe, where youth-led demonstrations are on the rise.

Vucic, who had resigned his presidency to contest the prime minister's seat, conceded defeat less than two hours after polls closed. Blaming foreign powers for the result, he claimed the election validated a revolution supported by European countries and the US. Thousands of supporters celebrated Vucic's defeat, with raucous scenes in Belgrade and other cities, as cars honked, crowds chanted, and fireworks illuminated the skyline.

Vucic's supporters blamed foreign interference for the outcome, alleging that the election was validated by the support of European countries and the US deep state. Meanwhile, the movement's candidates, mostly experts from academia and the arts without significant political experience, have a broad platform focused on fighting corruption, transparency in the Novi Sad tragedy investigation, and early elections.

Despite their lack of political experience, the students are expected to prioritize institutional reform and the rule of law, bringing Serbia closer to EU membership.