Serbian student movement defeats Vucic in snap parliamentary election

Student‑backed candidates secured about 138 seats as Vucic conceded defeat after record turnout.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 26 Oct 2026 02:52:30 GMT

Serbia’s snap parliamentary election on Sunday resulted in a decisive victory for a student‑led political list, ending Aleksandar Vucic’s 14‑year dominance, according to both the Independent and Yahoo News.

What happened

Voters turned out at nearly 70 % – the highest participation since Yugoslavia’s breakup in 1992 – and cast ballots across towns and cities. Preliminary counts showed the Student List winning 138 seats, while Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) fell to around 105 seats. Vucic announced the loss from his party headquarters in Belgrade, citing a “stratified sample” that confirmed the defeat.

What the reports add

The Independent noted that the election followed two years of student‑driven protests sparked by a 2024 train‑station canopy collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people. It also reported that drivers honked and students chanted “victory” in Belgrade’s streets after the result was announced. Yahoo News added that Vucic’s concession came after “record numbers” of voters participated, and highlighted his political background, including his rise from an ultra‑nationalist ally of Slobodan Milošević to co‑founder of the pro‑European Serbian Progressive Party in 2008.

What was said

Radomir Sajcic, a professor at Belgrade University, told the Independent, “Dear Serbia, tonight the voice of the people is being heard.” Vucic told supporters, as reported by Yahoo, “Based on a stratified sample, it is clear that we lost these elections.”

How it came about

The student movement’s rise was foreshadowed by a series of rallies and events covered by Felo News, including a rally three days before the vote (Serbian students rally ahead of early election targeting Vucic's rule) and a cycling tour in Kragujevac that symbolised a push for rule of law (Students’ Cycling Tour Welcomed in Kragujevac Ahead of Serbia Election). Vucic had launched his campaign for prime minister at Belgrade Arena on 3 Oct, promising a comprehensive victory (Aleksandar Vucic launches campaign for prime minister at Belgrade arena).

Key facts

Student List won 138 seats in the snap parliamentary election (independent.co.uk)
Aleksandar Vucic’s SNS party secured about 105 seats (independent.co.uk)
Voter turnout was nearly 70 % – the highest since 1992 (independent.co.uk)
Vucic conceded defeat after preliminary results (news.yahoo.com)