Serbia faces a historic political transition after Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in Sunday's snap parliamentary election, with the student-backed opposition securing an expected majority, ending 14 years of rule by his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Initial estimates announced by Vucic indicate that the student list won about 135-140 seats in Serbia's 250-member parliament, compared to about 105 seats in the ruling bloc. The opposition needs 126 seats to form a majority government. The election was held after nearly two years of anti-government protests across the country, triggered by the November 2024 railway station canopy collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people. The disaster sparked widespread accusations of government corruption, negligence and misconduct, which authorities disputed. University students then organized mass demonstrations demanding accountability, independent institutions and political reform. In the end, the movement became the Student List, an electoral coalition supported by students, academics and members of civil society. Vucic, who resigned from the presidency in September to seek the premiership, worked for stability, economic development and continued SNS leadership. Turnout reached around 69%, among the highest levels in Serbia's modern electoral history, reflecting intense public interest in the contest. However, election monitors reported widespread irregularities, intimidation and incidents of violence. Independent watchdog CRTA documented pressure on voters or election officials in nearly 29% of polling stations monitored, while CeSID recorded hundreds of potential violations, including photocopying, group voting and ID irregularities. Concerns about unequal media coverage and use of state resources also overshadowed the campaign.

Serbia faces a historic political transition after Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in Sunday's snap parliamentary election, with the student-backed opposition securing an expected majority, ending 14 years of rule by his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Initial estimates announced by Vucic indicate that the student list won about 135-140 seats in Serbia's 250-member parliament, compared to about 105 seats in the ruling bloc. The opposition needs 126 seats to form a majority government. The election was held after nearly two years of anti-government protests across the country, triggered by the November 2024 railway station canopy collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people. The disaster sparked widespread accusations of government corruption, negligence and misconduct, which authorities disputed. University students then organized mass demonstrations demanding accountability, independent institutions and political reform. In the end, the movement became the Student List, an electoral coalition supported by students, academics and members of civil society. Vucic, who resigned from the presidency in September to seek the premiership, worked for stability, economic development and continued SNS leadership. Turnout reached around 69%, among the highest levels in Serbia's modern electoral history, reflecting intense public interest in the contest. However, election monitors reported widespread irregularities, intimidation and incidents of violence. Independent watchdog CRTA documented pressure on voters or election officials in nearly 29% of polling stations monitored, while CeSID recorded hundreds of potential violations, including photocopying, group voting and ID irregularities. Concerns about unequal media coverage and use of state resources also overshadowed the campaign.