Student List Secures Serbian Parliament, Ending Decade of Vucic Rule

A student-led opposition movement defeated the party of former President Aleksandar Vucic in Serbia's snap parliamentary election, ending his grip on power after more than a decade. The Student List captured 52.54 percent of the vote, according to the Republic Election Commission, which processed data from 8,077 of 8,392 polling stations on Monday. This result concludes a political shift that began with youth-led protests in 2024 following a fatal infrastructure failure.

The campaign for change originated after a canopy collapsed at a railway station in Novi Sad, killing 16 people. Young demonstrators initially demanded accountability for the disaster, a demand that evolved into a wider political challenge against corruption and the control of state institutions. The Student List’s September platform focused on these issues, promising to combat organized crime, raise living standards, and expand media freedom. It also committed to strengthening independent institutions and improving relations with neighboring countries, which had become strained during Vucic's administration.

Turnout reached 68.78 percent, a figure the election commission identified as the highest in over 30 years. The United Serbia list, led by Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party, received 39.29 percent of the vote. With these figures, the Student List is projected to secure 140 of the 250 parliamentary seats, exceeding the 126 required for a majority. United Serbia is expected to hold 103 seats, while minority parties and blocs will take the remaining seven positions.

The identity of the next prime minister remains unresolved. United Serbia nominated Vucic as its candidate before the election, but the Student List has not announced a single frontrunner. The group emphasized its collective nature, bringing together academics, doctors, and workers. Ilija Srdanovic, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Novi Sad, led the campaign and is currently the most likely candidate for the role. Key ministry positions, including finance, justice, and internal affairs, have not yet been assigned.

The transition of power follows a strict legal timeline. The new National Assembly must be formed within 30 days of the final results, and a government must be established within 90 days of that constitution. Because the Student List holds a clear majority, the process is unlikely to involve extended coalition negotiations. Vucic called the snap vote last month and resigned as president on September 27. Ana Brnabic, the president of the National Assembly, is serving as acting head of state. She must schedule a presidential election by December 27, though the office is primarily ceremonial.

The election marks a shift from the centralized leadership style associated with Vucic, who served as both prime minister and president since 2014. The Student List’s victory relies on the broad coalition of professionals that supported its campaign. The final official count is still pending, but the current data indicates the movement has enough seats to govern independently.