Serbia’s student-led movement eyes parliamentary majority after election triumph

Belgrade, October 27 — In a historic election victory, Serbia's student-led movement secured a clear parliamentary majority, forcing right-wing populist leader Aleksandar Vucic to concede defeat. The triumph came after two years of mounting pressure, exacerbated by the 2024 collapse of a canopy at Novi Sad railway station, which killed 16 people and was widely blamed on corruption.

The movement gained momentum as a result of widespread protests that have been some of Serbia's largest since the fall of strongman Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.

Katarina Malesevic, a design student, expressed her elation to AFP, stating, "Everything smells of freedom." Analyst Dusan Vucicevic noted that the movement differed from other protests, emphasizing that the outcome remains unclear as to whether a similar model could work in other countries. According to the independent electoral watchdog CeSID, the Students' List secured 53% of the vote, while Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) garnered nearly 39%, based on 96% of the count.

This result translates to 140 MPs for the Students' List out of the 250-seat assembly, with the SNS at 103. Minority parties will receive the remaining seats.

The Students' List, composed of experts from diverse fields, including academia and the arts, focused on fighting corruption and addressing domestic political issues. The movement's broad platform emphasizes a transparent investigation into the Novi Sad tragedy and the establishment of an early election, following years of opposition to Vucic's rule.

After the election, Vucic, who had resigned the presidency to run for prime minister, blamed foreign powers for the validation of a revolution. He claimed that foreign countries and the U.S. deep state had supported the movement.

Crowds poured into the streets of Belgrade and other cities to celebrate the historic victory, following a near-record turnout of almost 70%. The student movement urged people to remain calm and dignified, refraining from violence. The Kremlin expressed hope that Serbia's new leaders would understand that cooperation with Russia is in Serbia's interests. The student-led movement prioritizes institutional reform and the rule of law, which analysts believe will bring Serbia closer to EU membership.