Serbia's student movement brings down President Vucic's government, ends decade-long rule in historic upset
PTC News Desk: The student alliance 'Student List' has won the election in Serbia, defeating the party of former President Aleksandar Vucic, who is considered close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Vucic, was the candidate for prime minister after resigning from the presidency in September.
According to Vucic, the student coalition secured at least 135 of the 250 seats in parliament, while his party was projected to win around 105 seats.
The student alliance received approximately 2.2 million votes, compared with 1.72 million votes for Vucic's, party. However, the final official results have not yet been announced. Student groups had been protesting against the government for nearly two years, accusing it of corruption and authoritarianism.
Victory celebrations in Belgrade
After Vucic conceded defeat, people took to the streets to celebrate in the capital, Belgrade, and several other cities. Thousands of people waved Serbian flags, honked car horns and set off fireworks. Young people made up a significant portion of the crowds.
Approximately 70% of eligible voters participated in the election, making it one of the highest-turnout elections since the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992.
16 people died in Railway disaster
The protest movement began after the collapse of a canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, in November 2024, which killed 16 people. Students launched demonstrations against the government, raising concerns about alleged corruption in construction projects and the lack of action against those responsible for the disaster.
The movement gradually expanded, with students accusing the government of corruption and abuse of power.
Aleksandar Vucic, served as Serbia’s prime minister from 2014 to 2017 before becoming president in 2017. He won a second presidential term in 2022.
Under Serbia’s Constitution, a person can serve a maximum of two presidential terms, preventing Vucic, from contesting the presidency for a third time.
His second term was due to end in 2027, but he stepped down in September 2026. He subsequently sought to return to power through parliamentary elections, with his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) naming him as its candidate for prime minister.
In Serbia, the president serves as the head of state, while the prime minister leads the government. Although Vucic, could no longer seek a third presidential term, he remained eligible to become prime minister. He sought to retain power through this route.
Vucic began his political career as information minister under Slobodan Milosevic's government. At the time, he supported hard-line nationalist ideas, including the concept of creating a “Greater Serbia.” The idea envisioned a larger Serbian state that would include not only present-day Serbia but also territories in neighbouring countries where ethnic Serb communities lived.
Although Vucic's political stance evolved over time, his opponents have accused him of adopting methods similar to those associated with Milosevic to consolidate his hold on power.
Milosevic was one of the leading nationalist figures in the Balkans during the 1990s. His rule was marked by rising tensions with neighbouring countries and allegations of pressure against government critics. Vucic's opponents have drawn comparisons between his governing style and the political practices of that period.
- PTC NEWS
