In a previous article published on the *GEOSTRATEGIC PULSE* magazine website on October 19, 2026, it was brought to the attention of the international public that a major question looms over the upcoming snap parliamentary elections in Serbia: will former Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić return to the office of Prime Minister, following nearly two years of student-led protests? Furthermore, most analysts anticipated a high voter turnout, an atmosphere akin to a referendum, and a tight contest between A. Vučić’s party (SNS) and the "Students' List"—a political entity representing the youth movement that emerged from protests sparked by a tragic incident at a railway station on November 1, 2024, which resulted in 16 casualties.

Serbian political entities participated in the elections in Serbia with 18 electoral lists and over 2,400 candidates, 250 of whom will enter parliament and form a new government in Belgrade.

In the snap parliamentary elections in Serbia, held on October 25, 2026, the Students' List—a new political entity and opponent of former Serbian President A. Vučić—secured a historic victory, prompting the nationalist leader to concede defeat. This turn of events brings an end to more than a decade of political dominance by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

According to preliminary projections based on a partial vote count (conducted by CeSID–Ipsos and confirmed by official statements), the results point to an absolute majority for the opposition. As of 10:12 AM (GMT+1)—the official time in Serbia—96.9% of the votes cast by 4,210,350 eligible Serbian citizens (out of a total of approximately 6.6 million) had been counted, as validated and published by the Republic Electoral Commission of Serbia (RIK). The following partial results were recorded:

• The "Students' List" [List of Students]: Obtained 53.3% (2,246,423 of the votes cast and validated), securing 140 seats in the 250-member Serbian Parliament.
• The SNS Coalition (Aleksandar Vučić – United Serbia): Accumulated 39.7% (1,673,241 votes cast and validated), securing 104 seats in the 250-member Serbian Parliament.
• National Minorities:

- The Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) obtained 0.8% (34,755 votes), securing 2 seats;

- The Albanian Coalition (AK) obtained 0.7% (27,664 votes), securing 2 seats;

- Rasim Ljajić – Ljudski (SDP–CDP)[1] obtained 0.5% (20,305 votes), securing 1 seat;

- SDA Sandžak[2] obtained 0.3%, securing

The election saw a historic voter turnout, estimated at approximately 70%—a record for Serbia in recent decades—driven largely by massive mobilization amidst civic protests that began following the 2024 tragedy at the Novi Sad railway station. The electoral lists of other political groups failed to reach the minimum 3% threshold of the total valid votes cast; they are as follows:

-Ivica Dačić – Factor of Stability – 2.2%

-Authentic Right – 0.9%

-Strength of Serbia Movement – 0.5%

-European Serbia – 0.3%

-Party for Justice and Reconciliation – 0.3%

-Russian Party – 0.2%

-Russian-Serbian Unity Party – 0.1%

-Alternative for Serbia – 0.1%

-Mother Serbia – Gruda – 0.1%

-Green Liberal Party – 0.1%

-Dad, This Is for You – 0.0%

-Strength Coalition – 0.0%

In this context, A. Vučić—former President of Serbia and a dominant political figure for over a decade—has conceded defeat to the student-led protest movement in the country’s parliamentary elections; an outcome that could usher in a new political era, one more closely aligned with Europe and further removed from Russia.

However, it remains to be seen how relations will evolve with China—another major international player with significant influence throughout the Western Balkans—as the tragedy in the northern Serbian city has shocked the public, amid reports suggesting that corrupt practices led to substandard construction work at the railway station, a large-scale government project carried out by Chinese companies.

"It is clear that we have lost this election," A. Vučić announced to the electorate during a press conference on the evening of October 25, following the closure of polling stations across Serbia. "The Students' List has won," A. Vučić stated, citing preliminary results, while in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and other cities, student leaders and their supporters were celebrating the victory. Some observers have compared A. Vučić’s defeat to the one suffered by Viktor Orbán—the authoritarian leader of Hungary, who also maintains close ties to Russia and China—in the parliamentary elections of April 2026.

As expected, despite his early concession of defeat, A. Vučić also expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome, describing it as the result of "dirty work" carried out by certain circles in the U.S. that oppose the policies of President Donald Trump, as well as by leaders in other European capitals. "I want people to know that this was about legitimizing a revolution carried out by the population, with the direct support of certain European countries and the American 'deep state'—that part of the system which opposes President Trump." He further added that his adversaries "did nothing more than carry out dirty work, devised by someone else, with the aim of bringing down a sovereign country. You have succeeded—for a moment. We shall see [how long it lasts]." "By March or April, the Russian Federation will be targeted by sanctions. You will see. They will do everything they didn't want to tell you—everything they concealed through lies—because, I repeat, they are nothing more than the executors of plans devised by others."

In the context of these statements by A. Vučić, one should not overlook the fact that Serbia maintains long-standing ethnic and religious ties with Russia; there are also many supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin within the country, as well as individuals who oppose sanctions against the Kremlin.

A. Vučić has frequently praised D. Trump; in a speech delivered last month at the UN, he stated that “Serbia supports the actions of President D. Trump’s administration and views his efforts as an opportunity to establish a more just world order, as well as a more responsible attitude toward Serbia—a close ally of the Americans since the time of the two world wars.”

Nevertheless, lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic camps have expressed concern regarding the state of democracy in Serbia. A bipartisan, bicameral group of American legislators is pushing for firmer measures against what they describe as democratic backsliding, corruption, and the growing influence of Russia, China, and Iran in Serbia.

It is well known that A. Vučić—a former ultranationalist—has dominated the Serbian political scene for over 14 years. Throughout this period, he has consolidated his grip on power, reinventing himself as a reformer who seeks to balance Serbia’s aspirations to join the EU with the maintenance of close ties to Russia and China.

The first statements have emerged from the candidates of the political group that won the snap parliamentary elections in Serbia: the "Students' List."

"Tomorrow, we begin working to build a state governed by the rule of law," declared Ilija Srdanović[3], the lead candidate on the "Students' List." "We have shown that change is possible when there is the will to bring it about. Now, we must prove that we are worthy of this moment. The students have won. We want to build, together, a country where everyone has a right to the truth, a voice, and a future," added I. Srdanović.

Radomir Saičić[4], a professor at the University of Belgrade and a candidate on the "Students' List," spoke following the victory at the campaign headquarters of the political group on whose list he had run. He stated: "Tonight, the 'voice of freedom' could be heard. The citizens have demonstrated that no obstacle is greater than their determination." "No fear is stronger than their courage, and no force can definitively defeat a people determined to take their destiny into their own hands," he added. In the same vein, R. Saičić thanked the citizens for "every step, every hour, every sacrifice, and every moment in which they chose not to give up." "This victory is not anyone's personal trophy. It belongs to us all. But, dear Serbia, a great victory brings with it a great responsibility," R. Saičić affirmed, urging the citizens to celebrate peacefully—with dignity and pride—and not to succumb to provocations.

European Council President Antonio Costa also welcomed the results, stating that they would help steer Serbia toward potential accession to the European Union (EU). "Today, the citizens of Serbia turned out to vote in record numbers to shape their country's future. Congratulations to the 'Students' List' on their victory in the parliamentary elections," he wrote on a social media platform. "We stand ready to support reforms concerning the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption, and the strengthening of democratic institutions, and to work together to build Serbia's future within the EU."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated: "We stand ready to support reforms concerning the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption, and the strengthening of democratic institutions, and to work together to advance Serbia's future within the EU."

There was no immediate reaction from the White House, although other figures in the U.S. welcomed the outcome.

U.S. Republican Congressman Joe Wilson—a long-time critic of A. Vučić and co-chair of the Helsinki Commission—told the media that "the Serbian people achieved this incredible victory through sheer determination and a commitment to restoring the rule of law in their country." "It is a new beginning for Serbia as it takes its place within Western civilization," he added.

Ivana Stradner, a researcher at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told the media: "Serbia is experiencing a mood similar to the one seen when the late Serbian president Slobodan Milošević was removed from power." "However, history need not repeat itself: removing A. Vučić is only the beginning. Serbia must now dismantle the system of corruption and authoritarian control that underpinned his rule, rather than simply replacing the individuals in power." "This is Serbia's chance to build enduring democratic institutions and firmly set the country on a path toward the West," she added.

Stradner noted that A. Vučić "has cultivated close ties with Moscow and Beijing, positioning Serbia as one of their closest partners in Europe. Now, Russia and China risk losing a key ally and an important foothold in Europe."

[1] This coalition consists of the Social Democratic Party of Serbia (SDPS), led by Rasim Ljajić, and the Montenegrin Democratic Party (CDP).

[2] Stranka demokratske akcije Sandžaka (SDA Sandžaka) is a minority political party in Serbia representing the interests of the Bosniak community in the Sandžak region

[3] Ilija Srdanović (born 7 August 1970) is a Serbian physician and professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad. He also works as a cardiologist at the Cardiology Clinic of the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases of Vojvodina, located in Sremska Kamenica. He was the leader of the "Student List" – the winning party – in the 2026 Serbian parliamentary elections.

[4] Radomir Saičić (born 31 October 1961) is a Serbian chemist, university professor and politician. He is a member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) and a professor at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade. He graduated from the Belgrade Mathematical Gymnasium. His parents are Montenegrin Serbs. R. Saičić studied chemistry at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Belgrade (now the Faculty of Chemistry), graduating in 1983. After graduation, he worked as a trainee assistant professor at the same faculty. He obtained a master's degree in 1987. He participated in the Yugoslav Wars.