Serbia Election: A student-backed political movement has won a major victory in Serbia’s parliamentary election, challenging the political group led by Aleksandar Vučić. According to figures reported on October 26, 2026, the Student List received 52.65% of the vote, while the United Serbia list secured 39.22%.
The result follows nearly two years of student-led protests that began after a deadly railway station accident in 2024. The next challenge is to form a new government and decide who will become the country’s next prime minister.
Serbia Election: What happened?
Serbia held a snap parliamentary election on October 25, 2026. The vote became a major test for Vučić’s political allies, who have dominated the country’s politics for years.
The latest figures published by the Serbian government showed that the Student List received 2,246,423 votes, equal to 52.65%. The United Serbia list received 1,673,241 votes, or 39.22%.
Vučić accepted defeat after the results showed a clear lead for the student-backed movement. However, the final election process and the formation of the new government still need to be completed.
Why did the student protests begin?
The protests began after a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people.
The tragedy raised serious questions about construction safety, official supervision and accountability. Students demanded answers and called on the authorities to make information about the disaster available.
Over time, the protests grew into a wider movement against corruption and concerns about government institutions. Students were joined by other members of society who wanted greater transparency and political accountability.
The railway station disaster became a symbol of public anger and helped turn the student movement into a major political force.
Who led the student-backed movement?
The movement did not have one single leader who represented every part of the protests. Instead, students and other supporters worked through a broader campaign focused on government accountability and institutional reform.
Ilija Srdanović, a professor at the University of Novi Sad’s Faculty of Medicine, emerged as a prominent figure associated with the Student List. He is being discussed as a possible candidate for prime minister, but his appointment has not been formally confirmed.
The movement’s next challenge will be to decide who will lead the government and how its different supporters will work together.
How will Serbia choose its next prime minister?
Serbia has a parliamentary system, meaning the government is formed through the National Assembly.
The country’s parliament has 250 seats. After the final election results are confirmed, the new parliament must be established. A candidate for prime minister will then be identified, and the proposed government must receive parliamentary approval.
Early estimates suggested that the Student List could win around 140 seats. If confirmed, this would give it a majority without requiring support from several other political parties.
However, the final seat count and formal government appointments remain important steps in the process.
What changes could the new government bring?
The student-backed movement has promised to fight corruption, strengthen public institutions, improve education, create jobs and protect media freedom.
Its supporters hope the new leadership will make government decisions more transparent and ensure that public officials are held accountable.
However, these are promises, not completed reforms. The new government will need to introduce policies, pass laws and show measurable results to prove that it can deliver change.
What happens to Vučić now?
Vučić’s political group faces a major challenge after the election defeat. However, a parliamentary election does not automatically elect a new president. The government and presidency are separate offices in Serbia.
The new parliament must first be established, and the government must be approved through the constitutional process. The separate presidential process will also need to follow its own legal timetable.
What happens next?
The immediate priorities are to complete the election process, confirm parliamentary seats, choose a prime minister and form a government.
Serbia’s election marks a major moment for a movement that began with demands for answers after a deadly accident. The victory gives the Student List an opportunity to change the country’s political direction.
The biggest test now is whether the movement can turn public support into lasting reforms, rebuild trust in public institutions and improve people’s lives.
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