Student group wins Serbian election, ending Vucic era

A youth-led political group has broken the grip of former President Aleksandar Vucic on Serbian politics after winning Sunday's snap parliamentary election. The victory marks the end of a more than decade-long period of dominance by Vucic, who first took power in 2014.

The Student List took 52.54 percent of the vote, according to data from the Republic Election Commission on Monday. That figure came from 8,077 processed polling stations out of a total of 8,392. Their main rival, the United Serbia list led by Vucic’s party, received 39.29 percent of the ballots.

Voter participation reached 68.78 percent, which the commission noted is the highest level recorded in over 30 years. The strong turnout reflects a wave of public dissatisfaction that began in 2024. That year, a canopy collapsed at a railway station in Novi Sad, killing 16 people and sparking protests that grew into a nationwide campaign against corruption and institutional capture.

The Student List is projected to win 140 of the 250 seats in parliament. This gives them a clear majority without the need to form a coalition with other parties. United Serbia is expected to secure 103 seats. Smaller groups will take the remaining seats, including the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians with three seats and the Albanian bloc with two.

Ilija Srdanovic, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Novi Sad, is widely considered the most likely choice for prime minister. He led the movement during the campaign. However, the group has not yet announced who will head key ministries such as finance, justice, and internal affairs. The movement has emphasized its collective nature, bringing together academics, doctors, and workers rather than focusing on a single leader.

The new parliament must be established within 30 days of the final results. A new government must be formed within 90 days of that date. Meanwhile, Ana Brnabic, the president of the National Assembly, is acting as president following Vucic's resignation on September 27. She is required to call a presidential election by December 27. The role is largely ceremonial, but the new president will be chosen by direct popular vote.