Serbia’s student movement topples strongman Vucic after 2 years of anti-corruption protests: What triggered his defeat?
Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat to Serbia's student-backed movement after nearly two years of anti-corruption protests. Sparked by the deadly Novi Sad station canopy collapse, the movement mobilised voters nationwide, defeating his bid to return as prime minister in a snap parliamentary vote.
Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in Serbia's snap parliamentary election on Sunday, marking the end of 14 years of rule by his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party. The victory belongs to a student-led opposition movement that emerged following nearly two years of anti-government protests. According to the New Straits Times, these protests were sparked by a 2024 canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station that killed 16 people, an event widely blamed on corruption.
Vucic, who resigned as president in late September to lead his party in hopes of becoming prime minister, admitted his party had lost. Le Monde English reports he conceded defeat less than two hours after polls closed. The election saw high voter turnout; Qatar Tribune noted that by 1 pm, 41.1% of eligible voters had cast ballots, compared to 26.6% at the same time during the December 2023 election.
Following the announcement, crowds gathered in the streets of Belgrade and other cities to celebrate. The New Straits Times reports that preliminary results showed students leading in almost all polling stations. While Vucic's supporters viewed him as a symbol of stability and patriotism, critics and opponents accused his government of corruption and democratic backsliding.
Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, Qatar Tribune, The Korea Times, Gulf News, New Straits Times — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
