Serbia: Belgrade celebrates student list victory, Vučić recognizes defeat

Klaxons, kisses and shouts of "winning": Belgrade celebrated, Sunday, 25 October 2026, the defeat recognized by Aleksandar Vučić to the early legislatures. RFI, Deutsche Welle and ABC, which takes over Reuters, report the same shift: the Student List ahead of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), opening the way for an alternation after fourteen years of domination of this party. Gatherings of joy also took place in Novi Sad and other cities, according to the BBC. [S2] [S25] [S36] [S37]

A recognized victory, still preliminary results

Vučić conceded his defeat before having the final results. From the seat of his party, he announced between 135 and 140 seats for his opponents, compared to about 105 for his side. The estimate of CeSID-Ipsos reported by ABC attributed 138 members to the Student List and 104 to the SNS, with the remainder to national minority lists. These figures do not constitute a definitively declared distribution of seats. [S2] [S37]

In its Monday morning update, the BBC reports preliminary figures from the election commission covering 97 per cent of the offices stripped: 52.6% of the votes for the Student List and 39.2% for the SNS. The initial CRTA projection, quoted by Balkan Insight, gave 51.5% and 40.2% respectively. These data, produced at different stages and using different methods, converge on the winner without having to be confused. [S36] [S32]

This is a legislative vote, not a presidential one. Vučić had left the presidency in September to lead his camp to the elections with the aim of becoming Prime Minister again. The next head of government is not identified in the available information. The cardiologist Ilija Srdanović, placed at the top of the Student List, is therefore not automatically designated for this function. [S2] [S25] [S37]

From the demand for justice to the conquest of the ballot boxes

The mobilization was born after the collapse of the novi Sad train station in 2024, which killed sixteen people. The protesters denounced alleged corruption, building defects and the lack of clear responsibilities in public works. The authorities rejected the charges against their management. The student marches and blockages then received support from teachers, farmers and other citizens, leading to a request for early elections. [S2] [S25]

The Student List goes beyond academia: its candidates include doctors, teachers, artists and farmers. According to the BBC, its programme plans to put an end to partisan appointments to the management of public companies and to free public broadcasting from political control. It also plans to remove those responsible for violating the rules during the repression of demonstrations. These are campaign commitments, not yet implemented changes. [S36] [S37]

The testimonies gathered during the celebrations express an expectation of freedom and common rules. At the Serbian BBC, Srdanović promises a "free state". These statements inform the aspirations of the movement; They alone do not demonstrate that institutional independence or freedom of expression are now guaranteed. [S36]

Mass vote, but reported pressure

RFI reported a projected participation of over 69%, while Deutsche Welle and ABC reported almost 70%. Long lines were formed in front of the offices. The historical references used to qualify this mobilisation vary according to the media: it is better to retain its exceptional level than to present a definitive record without specifying the scope of comparison. [S2] [S25] [S37]

This mobilization does not erase incidents. According to Balkan Insight, CRAT reported pressure on voters, barriers to the work of office staff and photographs of ballots. These practices involve the possibility of choosing without intimidation and the secrecy of the vote. However, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Vladimir Dimitrijević, described mainly minor incidents, usually resolved on the spot. Their national impact is not established in the available information. [S32]

Balkan Insight also reports the opening of an investigation after a fight involving masked individuals in Pančevo, as well as the arrest of two suspects after the assault of two journalists in Pavlovac. These judicial follow-up actions will establish individual responsibilities, distinct from the political outcome of the election. [S32]

The alternation will have to translate into decisions

Vučić and the SNS deny charges of corruption. After his defeat, the leader challenged the independent media, several unnamed European countries and an American "deep state". Deutsche Welle reports these charges without any evidence establishing them. For her part, the President of the European Commission has proposed to support reforms concerning the rule of law, media freedom and the fight against corruption. [S25] [S36]

The formation of the government is now a decisive step. The international orientations of the Student List are still little detailed, says ABC. His victory therefore does not make it possible to assume diplomatic realignment or to keep his institutional promises for granted. After the lie, the decisions of the new power will make it possible to measure the concrete changes for the citizens. [S37]