Vucic concedes defeat as student movement ends 14-year rule in Serbia

Briefing by News4U · First published 2026-10-26 10:31:32 UTC

Serbia's ruling party lost snap parliamentary elections to a student-led movement after record turnout, with Vucic conceding defeat based on preliminary results.

Serbia's ruling Serbian Progressive Party lost snap parliamentary elections to the student-backed Students' List after nearly two years of protests triggered by the 2024 Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse that killed 16 people. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

President Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat at party headquarters in Belgrade, citing preliminary results showing the Students' List winning 135-140 seats and his party 103-105 in the 250-seat parliament. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Turnout reached nearly 65 percent by 6 p.m., the highest in more than three decades, with celebrations erupting in Belgrade as cars honked and students chanted "victory." [1] [2] [4]

Sources

1. Student-led movement ends ruling party's 14-year grip on Serbian politics

   SBS News · 2026-10-25 20:56:29 UTC · Excerpt

2. Serbia election: Vucic concedes defeat to student-led movement

   DW English · 2026-10-25 21:07:00 UTC · Full text

3. Celebrations in Serbia after veteran ruler Vučić loses election to student-led protest movement

   BBC World · 2026-10-25 21:10:47 UTC · Full text

4. Serbia's longtime strongman Vučić concedes election defeat to student-led opposition

   CBC World · 2026-10-25 21:14:31 UTC · Full text

5. Serbia wakes up to new reality after student-led movement ousts Vučić – Europe live

   The Guardian · 2026-10-26 09:00:41 UTC · Full text

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