Serbia votes in election pitting longtime leader against student movement

Serbia is holding snap parliamentary elections amid a backdrop of student-led protests against the government of longtime leader Aleksandar Vucic. The election follows years of demonstrations triggered by a 2024 infrastructure tragedy.
Why it matters
The outcome could signal a major political shift in the Balkans, potentially impacting Serbia's relations with the EU, China, and Russia.
Polls show populist leader Aleksandar Vucic in a tight race against the anticorruption and antirepression movement.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info A man holds a Serbian flag as people gather for the final opposition Student List rally in Belgrade, Serbia, on October 22, 2026, three days before parliamentary elections [Marko Drobnjakovic/AP] By Al Jazeera Staff , AFP and Reuters Published On 25 Oct 2026 25 Oct 2026 Serbians have begun voting in parliamentary elections amid a mass student protest movement that seeks to oust longtime populist leader Aleksandar Vucic, who has held power as prime minister and then president for more than a decade.
Headlinne story · 8 newsrooms
Aleksandar Vucic Concedes Parliamentary Election to Student Opposition Movement
What every outlet reported, where they differ, and how each framed it →
Also covering this story
16 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Serbia votes as strongman Vučić faces grassroots challenge to 12-year rule – Europe live
Serbia’s strongman leader Aleksandar Vucic concedes defeat to student-led movement
Serbia’s Vucic concedes defeat as student-led movement wins parliamentary election
Student List wins Serbian election in political earthquake as Vučić concedes defeat
Serbian president concedes defeat to student-led movement in election
Serbia's strongman leader Vucic concedes defeat to student-led movement in seismic political shift
Early reports suggest record high turnout in Serbia elections
Serbia enters into elections amid ascending students’ movement against SNS
Serbia's longtime strongman Vučić concedes election defeat to student-led opposition
Serbia’s Vucic concedes parliamentary election to student-led movement
Serbia's Vucic concedes defeat in historic snap election with record turnout
Early reports suggest record high turnout in Serbia elections
Vucic concedes defeat in Serbian parliamentary elections
Serbia's Vucic concedes defeat to student led movement in parliamentary election
Serbia's Vucic concedes election defeat in historic win for student movement
Serbia's Vucic concedes defeat in historic election win for student protest movement
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in