STUDENT-LED MOVEMENT OUSTS VUCIC IN SEISMIC SERBIAN ELECTION
Belgrade, Serbia (October 26, 2026) — In the highest voter turnout since the breakup of Yugoslavia, the student-led opposition political movement, known as the Student List, has secured an absolute majority in Serbia’s parliamentary election. The Republic Electoral Commission confirmed that the Student List captured 53.2% of the popular vote, dealing a decisive defeat to former President Aleksandar Vučić and ending more than a decade of dominance by his populist Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
With nearly 70% of voters casting ballots, the Student List secured an outright majority of 141 seats in the 250-member National Assembly. The SNS-led “United Serbia” coalition finished with 39.8% of the vote, giving them 103 seats in opposition.
Vučić, who resigned the presidency in late September to run directly as the lead candidate for Prime Minister, formally conceded defeat at his party’s headquarters in Belgrade, acknowledging the incoming legislative shift.
The Student List movement originally emerged in late 2024 following public fury and anti-corruption protests over a deadly concrete canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station. Running on a collective, anti-corruption platform without a single traditional political leader, the movement successfully mobilized millions of citizens to the ballot box under the slogan “Serbia or the mafia.”
“This is not an ordinary election victory; this is an avalanche that has wiped out an authoritarian regime,” stated Nebojša Vladisavljević, a professor of political science at the University of Belgrade.
The historic outcome marks the start of a deep political transition for the Balkan nation. European heads of government and the European Commission immediately welcomed the landslide result, with officials suggesting that the anti-corruption mandate could significantly revitalize and open the door to Serbia’s European Union membership progress.
Under Serbian electoral law, the newly elected MPs have up to 30 days from the final verification of results to convene the National Assembly and begin the process of forming a new cabinet. Meanwhile, acting state officials are preparing to call a separate presidential election, which must be held before the end of December 2026 to choose Vučić’s permanent successor.
Final Election Results & Seat Distribution:
Student List (SL): 53.2% of votes | 141 seats
Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Coalition: 39.8% of votes | 103 seats
Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS/JS): 2.2% of votes | 0 seats (failed to cross 3% threshold)
National Democratic Alternative (NADA): 0.9% of votes | 0 seats
Ethnic Minority Parties: 6 seats combined (exempt from the 3% threshold)
Voter Turnout: 65.3% (Estimated close to 70% in urban centers)
Official Data Source: Serbian Republic Electoral Commission
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