A movement that emerged from months of student-led protests has won Serbia's early parliamentary election. According to preliminary results from the Republic Electoral Commission, its electoral list received 52.65% of the vote. President Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat for the political bloc supporting him on the evening of October 25.
Figures released by the commission on the morning of October 26, following the processing of results from 8,135 polling stations, showed the student-backed list receiving 2,246,423 votes. The Aleksandar Vučić — United Serbia coalition secured 39.22%, or 1,673,241 votes.
Under the preliminary distribution of parliamentary seats, the movement could win 139 of the 250 seats in parliament. The coalition led by the Serbian Progressive Party is projected to receive 97 seats, with the remaining seats allocated to parties representing national minorities.
Vučić acknowledged that his political bloc had lost the election. After the preliminary results were announced, supporters of the student movement held large celebrations in Belgrade and other Serbian cities.
The new political force grew out of demonstrations that began following the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024. Sixteen people died in the disaster.
The tragedy prompted sustained protests against corruption and the lack of accountability among government officials. Demonstrators demanded an investigation into the collapse, accountability for those responsible and greater independence for state institutions.
Unlike traditional political parties, the student movement has no single widely recognized leader. University professors and public figures are among its prominent representatives. The identity of the future prime minister remained unknown when the results were announced.
The political changes in Serbia also matter for the country's relations with Russia. Under Vučić, Belgrade maintained contacts with Moscow while officially pursuing membership in the European Union.
However, the future parliamentary majority has yet to establish its position on sanctions against Russia, cooperation with Ukraine and other foreign-policy issues.
The election results remain preliminary until the legally required procedures are completed. They do not mean that a new government has already been formed or that Vučić has immediately lost his presidential powers.