Serbia’s student-led opposition has reportedly secured a historic parliamentary election victory, ending more than a decade of political dominance by Aleksandar Vučić’s political camp and marking a major breakthrough for a movement born out of nationwide anti-corruption protests.
Preliminary estimates following Sunday’s election, held on October 25, suggest that the opposition movement, known as Student List – Students Win, could secure between 135 and 140 seats in Serbia’s 250-member parliament, compared with approximately 105 seats for Vučić’s political allies.
Vučić reportedly conceded defeat following the vote, which would represent a significant shift in Serbia’s political landscape if the preliminary results are confirmed.
The student-led movement emerged following the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station on November 1, 2024, which killed 16 people and sparked widespread public anger over construction standards, government accountability and alleged corruption.
University students spearheaded demonstrations demanding transparency and accountability for the disaster. What began as protests over the tragedy gradually developed into a nationwide movement calling for institutional reforms and early parliamentary elections.
Students organised campus blockades, marches and public gatherings that attracted support from university professors, teachers, medical professionals and citizens from different sections of Serbian society.
As the demonstrations gained momentum, the movement broadened its demands to include reforms aimed at strengthening public institutions and addressing corruption.
Rather than fielding student activists as parliamentary candidates, the movement assembled an electoral list featuring academics, doctors, civil society representatives and other professionals.
Its political strategy was developed through university assemblies and collective decision-making, reflecting the organisational approach adopted during the protests.
The reported election result marks a significant development for Serbia’s youth-led political movement, demonstrating how sustained student activism can develop into a nationwide electoral campaign.
If confirmed, the projected parliamentary majority would place the Student List movement in a position to play a central role in forming Serbia’s next government, bringing a new group of political representatives into national leadership.