Student list ends Serbian Progressive Party's 14-year rule

A student-led protest movement has ended the 14-year rule of Serbia's right-wing Serbian Progressive Party, with former President Aleksandar Vučić conceding defeat on Sunday evening. Vučić stated that it was "clear" his party had lost to the student-backed electoral movement, a claim made while official results had yet to be announced. In his projection, the Student List was expected to secure between 135 and 140 seats in the 250-seat parliament, compared with 105 for his coalition.

The Student List is headed by cardiologist Ilija Srdanović, although the grassroots movement has emphasized its decentralized leadership structure. This electoral breakthrough mirrors the student-led movement that helped topple Slobodan Milošević in 2000, a historical parallel celebrated by Serbians who revived the era's "He's finished!" rallying cry during Sunday's celebrations. The movement emerged from mass protests following the November 2024 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that killed 16 people, an event that fueled public anger over alleged government corruption before evolving into an electoral campaign focused on accountability and institutional reform.

The outcome sidelines a Balkan strongman who had actively courted ties with President Trump's family and allies, raising questions about future U.S. relations with a country that has balanced connections with both Russia and the West. Vučić's outreach included interactions with the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., and longtime ally Richard Grenell. Additionally, a proposed development involving Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, became embroiled in controversy. The victory could usher in democratic reforms in Serbia, a nation where Vučić consolidated power during his tenure.

The broader context places this development within a wave of youth activism across Europe, where young people have mobilized over issues including corruption, education, and economic pressures. Following the parliamentary result, the Student List must choose a prime minister and form a government. Serbia will then face a separate presidential election in December to replace Vučić.