Serbia's longtime strongman Vucic concedes election defeat to student-led opposition

A student-led anti-corruption movement has successfully unseated Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic after nearly two years of protests. The movement began following a tragic incident in Novi Sad where a canopy collapsed at a railway station, killing 16 people and widely blamed on corruption. This disaster sparked some of the largest protests Serbia had seen since the fall of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.

Vucic, who has been in power for over 14 years, conceded defeat after snap elections called by him in September to address "major turbulence" on the domestic political scene. The election results marked a significant shift from his nationalist and authoritarian rule, which included close ties with figures like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Celebrations erupted across Serbian cities as people hailed the victory of the student-backed movement. In Belgrade, cars honked horns while fireworks lit up the skyline, and thousands gathered in public squares to celebrate what they see as a new era for their country. The students' supporters celebrated with folk dances and traditional greetings, marking a historic moment in Serbia's political landscape.

The success of this movement signals a broader trend of democratic backsliding being reversed in Eastern Europe, following similar outcomes in Hungary where opposition leader Péter Magyar defeated longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orbán earlier this year. This victory is seen as a significant step towards combating corruption and promoting the rule of law in Serbia.

With Vucic's concession, riot police trucks were seen leaving city centers as celebrations continued peacefully across the country. The jubilant scenes reflect widespread support for change among the Serbian populace, marking a new chapter in the nation’s political history.