Celebrations in Serbia after veteran ruler Vučić loses election to student-led protest movement
Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat in snap parliamentary elections to a student-led protest movement, triggering widespread celebrations. The Student List's victory, fueled by high voter turnout and anti-corruption sentiment, marks the end of Vučić's long political dominance, which began after protests over a train station collapse.
Why it matters
This article reinforces the significance of the Serbian election outcome, highlighting the power of citizen protests and youth movements to effect profound political change in established systems.
Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks at his campaign headquarters in Belgrade, Serbia, Oct. 25, 2026./(Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua)
Serbia's long-standing leader Aleksandar Vučić has admitted defeat to the student-led protest movement in snap parliamentary elections.
"We still do not have final results... it is clear that we have lost these elections," the right-wing populist leader said as he conceded late on Sunday.
Preliminary figures from Serbia's election commission indicated a record high turnout, which commentators had suggested would favour the student movement. Celebrations erupted after Vučić conceded.
Vučić called the snap elections after two years of protests triggered by the collapse of a train station canopy in the city of Novi Sad, which killed 16 and was seen as emblematic of corruption and negligence.
Also covering this story
20 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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