Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has conceded defeat after a student-led opposition movement won a historic victory in the country’s parliamentary election, ending more than a decade of dominance by his political camp and triggering celebrations across Serbia.

Vucic acknowledged the loss on Sunday, October 25, after preliminary results showed the student-backed Student List securing a commanding lead in the 250-member parliament. He said the movement was expected to win between 135 and 140 seats, while his Serbian Progressive Party-led alliance was projected to secure around 105 seats.

With nearly 99% of votes counted, the students’ candidates had secured 52.7% of the vote and 139 parliamentary seats, compared with 39.2% and 97 seats for the ruling alliance, according to reported election figures. Minority parties were expected to hold the remaining seats.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Belgrade and other Serbian cities to celebrate the result. Crowds waved flags, honked car horns, danced and chanted victory slogans following Vucic’s concession.

The election followed nearly two years of student-led protests that began after a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad in November 2024, killing 16 people. The disaster sparked widespread public anger over alleged corruption, construction irregularities and a lack of accountability. Demonstrations gradually expanded into a broader movement challenging the government’s leadership and demanding institutional reforms.

Vucic and his party have repeatedly denied allegations of corruption and political repression. The president had also accused foreign actors of supporting the student movement, a claim its supporters rejected.

Despite its electoral success, the opposition movement faces significant challenges. Its candidates include university professors, professionals and other public figures, but questions remain about who will become prime minister and how the movement will implement its promises to fight corruption, strengthen the rule of law and improve public services.

The new leadership will also need to balance Serbia’s relations with the European Union, Russia and China. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated the winners and expressed readiness to work with them on Serbia’s European future.

The result marks a major turning point for Serbia and could inspire other student-led movements across Europe.