Serbia’s longtime leader says the Student List has won a parliamentary majority after almost two years of protests, and crowds have filled the streets of Belgrade.
Tamrah News Desk | 26 October 2026
Vucic concedes defeat in Serbia’s parliamentary election, telling the nation on Sunday night that the Student List has won a majority of seats. The student movement grew out of nearly two years of street protests against alleged corruption. According to Al Jazeera, voting ended at 8pm local time on 25 October, and celebrations began almost immediately after his announcement.
Vucic Concedes Defeat: What He Said on Election Night
Al Jazeera reported that Vucic, speaking on the basis of a sample of votes, said the Student List would win between 135 and 140 seats, while his own list would take about 105. He said final results were not yet available, but added,
“It is clear that we have lost these elections.”
CNN reported that he blamed independent media and alleged interference by unnamed European countries and an American deep state for the loss.
Serbia Election Results and Record Turnout
Euronews reported that Vucic said the Serbian Progressive Party, known as the SNS, received about 1.72 million votes, while the Student List received about 2.2 million. ABC News reported that a sample by the pollsters CESID and IPSPS gave the Student List 138 seats and the SNS 104, with the remaining seats going to minority parties.
A majority of 126 seats is needed to form a government, according to Al Jazeera. It also reported that the State Election Commission put turnout at 64.9 percent by 6pm, the highest since the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992. Official Serbia election results had not been released at the time of writing.
Belgrade Celebrations Spread Across Serbia
Al Jazeera reported that fireworks lit the sky, tens of thousands of people crowded Belgrade’s main roads, and Student List supporters drove through the city sounding their horns. Crowds also took down tents in a central park where Vucic loyalists had camped for more than a year. AFP images published by Al Jazeera showed people celebrating in the streets of Novi Sad.
Axios reported that Serbians revived the cry
“He’s finished!”
from the 2000 movement that helped topple Slobodan Milosevic. For more on the region, see Tamrah News world coverage.
Why Did Vucic Lose the Serbia Parliamentary Election?
Al Jazeera reported that the protests began after a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad in November 2024, killing 16 people. Demands for accountability widened into a student movement against alleged government corruption and repression. Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party deny those accusations.
The Student List fielded candidates from fields such as medicine and education, many with no political experience, according to the same report. Some established opposition parties backed it instead of running their own candidates. Al Jazeera said Vucic resigned as president in September to run for prime minister. CNN reported that he had led Serbia for 14 years and had been endorsed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Were There Irregularities in the Serbia Election?
Al Jazeera reported that the watchdog CRTA recorded pressure on voters or election workers at almost a third of the 500 polling stations it monitored. The group CeSID had received about 260 reports of potential irregularities by 5pm, including ballot photography and group voting. Read related reports in Tamrah News Europe news.
- International Reaction
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated the Student List on X, Al Jazeera reported. She said the European Union stands ready to support reforms on the rule of law, media freedom and the fight against corruption. Axios said the outcome raises questions for future relations between Serbia and Washington, given the country’s balance of ties with Russia and the West.
What Happens Next in Serbia?
Axios reported that the Student List must choose a prime minister and form a government, and that Serbia faces a separate presidential election in December. Axios also said cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic heads the list, although the movement stresses decentralised leadership. Euronews said the student movement now faces decisions on the economy, European Union ties, Kosovo, Russia and China. Follow related updates in Tamrah News Russia and Ukraine coverage.
Conclusion
The night Vucic concedes defeat marks a turning point for Serbia after almost two years of student protests. The Serbian Progressive Party now faces opposition, while the Student List holds a projected majority. Readers searching for Serbia election results, the Serbia parliamentary election, Student List Serbia and Serbia student protests can expect further updates as Belgrade awaits the final count.
