Thousands Flood Belgrade Streets as Student-Led Opposition Deals Major Blow to Serbia’s Longtime Leader
Thousands of people poured into the streets of Belgrade to celebrate a historic election victory for Serbia’s student-backed opposition movement, after longtime political leader Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in Sunday’s parliamentary election.
Preliminary projections indicate that the “Students’ List” could secure around 135–140 seats in the 250-member parliament, potentially giving the movement an outright majority. Vucic acknowledged that his own electoral bloc had lost, marking a major setback for the political establishment after years in power.
The movement emerged from nearly two years of anti-government protests sparked by the deadly 2024 railway station canopy collapse in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. Demonstrators demanded accountability, action against corruption and stronger democratic institutions.
The celebrations mark a dramatic turning point in Serbian politics, although the final official results and the formation of a new government remain key next steps.