Monday, October 26, 2026 - Serbia’s parliamentary election has delivered a major political shift, with a student-led opposition movement defeating the alliance led by longtime political leader Aleksandar Vučić. The vote took place on October 25, 2026, following nearly two years of nationwide student protests demanding accountability and action against corruption.
With nearly 99% of votes counted, the Students’ List secured 52.7% of the vote and 139 seats in the 250-member parliament, while Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party-led alliance won 39.2% and 97 seats. Vučić conceded defeat, opening the door to a new political chapter for Serbia.
The election marks a significant breakthrough for a movement that grew out of public anger following a railway station canopy collapse in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people. Students transformed calls for accountability into a nationwide campaign focused on fighting corruption, improving education and strengthening public institutions.
The high voter turnout reflected widespread public engagement, while the defeat of the governing alliance exposed the scale of the challenge facing Serbia’s established political leadership. However, the student movement must now demonstrate that it can translate public demands into effective government policies.
Attention now turns to government formation and the movement’s ability to deliver on its promises. The Students’ List faces immediate pressure to identify its future leadership, tackle corruption allegations and improve institutional accountability while managing Serbia’s relationships with the European Union, Russia and other international partners.
Although the victory gives the movement a parliamentary majority, governing a politically divided country will require clear priorities, effective coordination and measurable results. For Serbian citizens, the real test begins now: whether the election can lead to stronger institutions, greater transparency and tangible improvements in everyday life.
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