Students topple Vucic’s government in Serbia

On October 25, 2026, Serbia held a tense parliamentary election where the student-led opposition movement called The Students' List won by a convincing majority, ousting long-time leader Aleksandar Vucic. With 100% of ballot samples counted, The Student List secured 53% of the vote, translating to 141 seats in the 250-seat parliament, while Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) received 39%, resulting in 103 seats. The election was largely seen as a reaction to the collapse of a canopy at Novi Sad railway station in 2024, which killed 16 people and spurred widespread protests against corruption.

Post-election celebrations erupted across Serbia with jubilant crowds lighting flares and fireworks, but questions remain about how this leaderless movement will form an effective government. The Students' List must now address critical issues such as economic stability, rooting out corruption, and navigating complex international relations with China, Russia, and the European Union. As of October 26, 2026, The Student List was preparing to start talks on forming a new government despite having no clear leader or previous experience in governance. Vucic conceded defeat late Sunday night, marking an abrupt end to his decade-long dominance over Serbian politics. European officials congratulated the students and pledged support for Serbia's reforms moving forward. However, concerns linger about the ability of these political newcomers to handle the responsibilities of governing a country with significant economic and geopolitical challenges.