The student-led opposition movement in Serbia has secured a decisive victory in the parliamentary elections, capturing between 135 and 140 seats and prompting former president Aleksandar Vucic to concede defeat based on exit polls, nos.nl reported.
Record Turnout Crushes the Incumbent Majority
Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party managed just 105 seats after an election cycle marked by civic mobilization. Voting stations and foreign embassies saw massive lines throughout the day, driving voter turnout to 67.6 percent by 7:00 PM. CeSID and Ipsos observers confirmed this figure represents the highest participation rate recorded in the country since the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1992.
Vucic stepped down from the presidency in September after a nine-year tenure, attempting a pivot to the prime minister’s office to preserve his hold on power. Anticipating potential manipulation, the opposition’s Studentenlijst urged citizens to cast their ballots early. Streets in Belgrade filled with car horns, celebrations, and chants of victory as the results materialized.
Tensions and Incidents Mar the Voting Process
Despite the celebratory atmosphere in the capital, election day brought flashes of confrontation. Reports of violent incidents at multiple polling stations prompted the European ambassador for Serbia to issue a public appeal for calm and restraint. Social media channels circulated footage of black-clad individuals moving through central Belgrade, where anti-riot police ultimately deployed to maintain order.
The breakthrough for the Studentenlijst follows two years of mass protests. Those protests erupted in the wake of a fatal railway station collapse in Novi Sad that killed sixteen people, a tragedy widely blamed on substandard renovation work handled by contractors with close ties to the SNS. In the weeks leading up to the vote, stories emerged of pressure on public sector workers and their families to prove their loyalty at the ballot box.
| Political Entity | Projected Seats | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Studentenlijst | 135 – 140 | Winning (Exit Polls) |
| Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) | 105 | Conceded Defeat |
