Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has conceded defeat in snap parliamentary elections after a student-led movement secured a projected majority, ending more than a decade of political dominance by his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
Sunday's election, which recorded the country's highest voter turnout in more than 30 years, saw the Student List projected to win 135 to 140 seats in the 250-member parliament, compared with 105 for Vučić's electoral alliance.
The movement emerged following the November 1, 2024, collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that killed 16 people and sparked widespread accusations of corruption and government negligence.
Initially organised around university blockades and demands for accountability, the protests expanded across Serbia, drawing support from farmers, medical professionals, academics and other citizens.
Political tensions intensified throughout 2025, including a major anti-government demonstration in Belgrade in March and mounting pressure on Vučić's administration.
Following the election results, celebrations spread through Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš, while protesters dismantled barriers surrounding a prominent pro-government encampment near parliament.
The Student List, led during the campaign by cardiology professor Ilija Srdanović, fielded candidates for every parliamentary seat without including students themselves.
The movement's 11-point programme prioritises combating corruption, reforming public institutions, addressing alleged police misconduct and reducing political influence over public broadcasters and state enterprises.
Its prospective parliamentary representatives include academics, cultural figures, former basketball player Dejan Bodiroga and former central bank governor Dejan Šoškić, whose name has emerged in discussions about future leadership.
Despite conceding defeat, Vučić accused the movement of receiving foreign backing, an allegation presented without evidence.
His SNS has denied accusations of corruption and political interference in the media.
The election also raises questions about Serbia's economic direction after years of growth accompanied by concerns over living costs and public debt.
With the movement now approaching parliamentary power, attention turns to its ability to translate nearly two years of demonstrations into institutional reforms.