Serbia, following Hungary, demonstrates the power of the people. The Financial Times. On Sunday, Vucic was effectively ousted from power after the expected landslide victory in parliamentary elections by the popular Student List movement. Contrary to the fears of many Serbs, he has shown no signs of wanting to cling to power. It is one of several similarities with former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who also stepped down early after a landslide defeat in April's parliamentary elections. Vucic's defeat, following that of Orban, was another electoral earthquake in Southeastern Europe, which would have resonance far beyond the country's borders. It is also another example of how popular power overcomes the deliberate and systematic attempts of an autocrat to manipulate the electoral system in his favor.

Serbia, following Hungary, demonstrates the power of the people. The Financial Times. On Sunday, Vucic was effectively ousted from power after the expected landslide victory in parliamentary elections by the popular Student List movement. Contrary to the fears of many Serbs, he has shown no signs of wanting to cling to power. It is one of several similarities with former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who also stepped down early after a landslide defeat in April's parliamentary elections. Vucic's defeat, following that of Orban, was another electoral earthquake in Southeastern Europe, which would have resonance far beyond the country's borders. It is also another example of how popular power overcomes the deliberate and systematic attempts of an autocrat to manipulate the electoral system in his favor.

This sparked wild celebrations in the streets of Belgrade, just as Orbán's fall did in Budapest. "Does this remind you of something? Peter Magyar, Hungary's new prime minister and Orban's sworn enemy, wrote on Facebook on Sunday evening. As he neared the end of his maximum presidential term, Vucic returned to run for parliament as prime minister, a position he held from 2014 to 2017. This move was borrowed from Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who switched roles with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. But in Serbia the voters did not fall for this ploy. Unlike the disciplined and professional Hungarian opposition led by Magyar, the Student List has no clear leader, no experienced political figures, and the movement's plan is vague. It includes both pro-European and nationalist groups. Disputes may emerge soon as the movement begins to form a government and develop a political agenda.