Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat in snap parliamentary elections on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after preliminary results showed his party trailing a student-led opposition movement. Speaking from the headquarters of his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Belgrade, Vučić stated that while final results were not yet available, it was clear that his party had lost the vote.
The snap elections followed two years of protests sparked by the 2024 collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad, which resulted in 16 deaths. Demonstrators at the time cited the incident as evidence of government corruption and negligence. Vučić, who has been a dominant figure in Serbian politics for over 14 years, resigned from the presidency last month to lead the SNS campaign.
According to figures projected by Vučić, the opposition group known as the "Students' List" is expected to secure between 135 and 140 seats in the 250-member Parliament. He estimated that the Students' List received approximately 2.2 million votes, while the SNS received roughly 1.7 million, leaving the SNS with a projected 105 seats. Election commission figures indicated a record turnout, which some commentators suggested could reach 70%, the highest level since 2000.
This election impacts Serbia's 6.4 million registered voters and represents a shift in governance for a country that has been led by Aleksandar Vučić and the SNS for 14 years. The Students' List—including farmers, athletes, and experts—campaigned on a platform of rebuilding the economy and restoring democratic norms. The Students' List is projected to take 135 to 140 seats, potentially ending the dominance of the SNS.
The outcome may influence Serbia's future relationship with the European Union, which was monitoring the vote as part of Serbia's membership candidacy. Throughout the day, independent monitors reported dozens of irregularities, including attempted vote buying and pressure on voters. The victory of the Students' List follows a similar pattern seen in neighboring Hungary, where youth participation helped oust a Vučić ally.
While celebrations occurred in the streets of Belgrade following the concession, the transition process remains to be finalized. Vučić attributed his party's loss to independent media and alleged interference by European countries and what he termed the "American deep state." Official final results from the state election commission are still pending.