Serbia has entered a new political era. The Student List, a movement that emerged from months of student protests, has won the country's parliamentary election, marking a dramatic breakthrough and a profound rejection of the political model that has dominated the country for over a decade.
In a brief national address, outgoing President Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat, acknowledging that the Student List had secured a parliamentary majority. "Based on the stratified sample, it is clear that we have lost the election," he said. "The Student List has won and will have between 135 and 140 seats, while we will have around 105."
Vučić also noted that no other parties had crossed the threshold, with the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) winning three seats, and Albanian and Bosniak parties each securing one. The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) received approximately 1.72 million votes, while the Student List garnered 2.2 million, translating to a 52% to 32.3% split.
While final results are pending, the outcome is clear: the Student List has won, and the political landscape in Serbia has been fundamentally altered.
From protest to power
The Student List's victory is particularly significant because it was not a conventional political party. Its origins lie in the student protests that swept across Serbia, fueled by dissatisfaction with corruption, media control, and a lack of accountability. The movement has now achieved what many thought impossible: translating street mobilization into electoral legitimacy.
The result suggests the movement attracted voters far beyond university campuses. While young people were its most visible supporters, the electoral coalition appears to have extended to the urban middle class, opposition-minded voters, and citizens previously disillusioned with established parties.
For the ruling establishment, this is a major setback. For years, Vučić and the SNS dominated Serbian politics through strong electoral organization, extensive political influence, and control over much of the media. This election result indicates that this model has reached its limit.
What happens next?
The transition from protest movement to government will be far harder than winning the election. The Student List must now govern, making decisions on the economy, foreign policy, relations with the European Union, Kosovo, security, energy, and Serbia's delicate balancing act between Brussels, Moscow, and Beijing.
The new government will face immense expectations regarding institutional independence, judicial reform, media freedom, and electoral integrity. Serbia's foreign policy could also enter a new phase, with questions about EU accession and relations with the West likely to be scrutinized.
Vučić's political future is now uncertain. Even if he remains president, his ability to dominate the political agenda will be significantly reduced, and his party will have to rebuild in opposition.
The Student List has won the election, but its real test begins now. Winning requires mobilization and a powerful message; governing requires institutions, experienced personnel, and the ability to make difficult decisions. For Serbia, this election represents both a rupture and a moment of uncertainty. The central question is no longer whether the students can challenge the established order—they have already done that.
