250 student-backed candidates win Serbian parliament after Vucic concedes

Serbia’s political leadership will change hands on Monday after Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in the parliamentary elections. The long-time ruler stepped back from power he has held since 2014, allowing a list of 250 student-backed candidates to take control of the country’s government. This shift ends a period of strong economic growth overseen by Vucic and follows two years of peaceful demonstrations by students demanding an end to corruption, a charge Vucic has consistently denied.

The victory stems from a movement that began in November 2024, after the collapse of a railway station awning killed 16 people. That incident fueled growing opposition among younger generations, who organized protests across European cities to demand better education standards and future prospects. By Sunday night, the tone in Belgrade had shifted from protest to celebration. Tens of thousands of people packed the main boulevards, halting trams and traffic. The air was thick with smoke from flares, and crowds chanted in the streets.

The incoming coalition is a disparate group of 250 candidates. Many are lawyers, professors, actors, or farmers. They gathered at their headquarters on Sunday evening to hug and cheer in near disbelief. Nebojsa Cosic, waving a flag on the street, declared, "The people have won! The people defeated a dictator! The people will lead Serbia!" Milica, a law student, added, "That is the best thing that happened in my life. We will now breathe freely."

The country has a population of approximately 6 million. The election result indicates a major shift in political power, driven by widespread discontent among the younger generation. While Vucic presided over economic expansion, the student-led protests highlighted issues with governance and infrastructure. The new leadership must now transition from campaigning to ruling, a task they face beginning on Monday.