The new Assembly must be constituted within 30 days of the announcement of the final results.
Serbia’s student movement emerged victorious in Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections, marking a significant turnaround in the country’s political landscape after more than a decade of Aleksandar Vučić’s dominance. The victory comes after nearly two years of youth-led protests that began after the 2024 tragedy at the Novi Sad railway station, where 16 people died after a shelter collapsed.
The protests, which initially demanded accountability for the tragedy, gradually turned into a broader movement against alleged corruption, abuse of power and political influence over democratic institutions. In its electoral program, presented in September, the Student List placed the fight against corruption and organized crime among its top priorities, alongside improving living standards, increasing employment, reforming education and guaranteeing media freedom and the independence of institutions.
After declaring victory, representatives of the movement also stated that they intend to improve relations with neighboring countries, after a period of tensions during Vučić’s government.
Student List secures parliamentary majority
According to data released Monday by the Election Commission, the Student List received 52.54% of the vote, based on results from 8,077 of 8,392 polling stations. Meanwhile, the United Serbia list, led by Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party, secured 39.29% of the vote.
Turnout in the election reached 68.78%, marking the highest level in more than 30 years, according to data published by electoral authorities.
Although the final results have not yet been announced, projections show that the Student List could secure around 140 seats in the 250-seat parliament, significantly exceeding the 126-seat threshold needed for an absolute majority. On the other hand, United Serbia is expected to take 103 seats.
The rest of the parliamentary seats are expected to be divided between the Alliance of Hungarians of Vojvodina, with three mandates, the Albanian political bloc, with two mandates, and the lists of Rasim Ljajić – Ljudski and SDA Sandzak, with one mandate each.
This composition gives the student movement the opportunity to form the government without the need for lengthy negotiations with other political parties.
Who could be the new prime minister?
One of the main issues following the students’ victory is the name of the person who will lead the new government. Unlike Vučić’s camp, which had previously announced its candidate for prime minister, the Student List did not present a single name during the election campaign.
The movement has chosen to emphasize its collective character, bringing together academics, doctors, workers, and representatives of various social groups, rather than focusing the campaign on a single political figure.
During the campaign, the movement was led by Ilija Srdanović, a professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Novi Sad and a cardiologist. He is currently considered one of the most likely names to lead the new government, although the final decision has not yet been made.
Apart from the prime minister’s post, it remains unclear who will lead key ministries, particularly those of Interior, Finance and Justice. Appointments to these departments will be an important indicator of how the movement intends to fulfill its promises to fight corruption and strengthen the independence of institutions.
When is the new government expected to be formed?
The deadlines for the creation of new institutions depend on the announcement of the final results and the constitution of the Parliament of Serbia.
According to constitutional procedures, the new Parliament must be constituted within 30 days of the announcement of the final election results. After that, the new government must be formed within a period of 90 days.
However, the clear parliamentary majority that the Student List is expected to secure could speed up the process, as it will not be necessary to conduct lengthy negotiations to create a governing coalition.
The composition of the new cabinet and its priorities will show whether the movement will succeed in transforming the large civic mobilization into concrete reforms in administration, justice, economy, and media.
What will happen to the Serbian presidency?
The political change is not limited to the Parliament and the government. Aleksandar Vučić, who has dominated Serbian politics first as prime minister and then as president since 2014, has resigned from the presidential post, while the duties of the head of state are being temporarily exercised by Ana Brnabić, the speaker of the National Assembly.
After Vučić’s term ends on September 27, Brnabić is obliged to call extraordinary presidential elections, which must be held no later than three months after the end of the term. According to this deadline, the last date for holding the vote is December 27.
The President of Serbia is elected directly by the citizens, not by members of Parliament. Although the powers of this position are primarily representative, the presidential elections will be another test of the balance of political forces in the country and the influence that the student movement will have on state institutions.
The students’ victory marks a defining moment for Serbia, where the resentment created by the Novi Sad tragedy turned into a direct challenge to the political elite that has run the country for years. Now, the main challenge for the winners is not only to form a government, but also to fulfill promises to fight corruption, strengthen the rule of law and restore citizens’ trust in institutions.