In a historic turn of events, a student-led protest movement has emerged victorious in Serbia's snap parliamentary elections, defeating the long-standing ruling party of Aleksandar Vucic. The student movement, formed less than two years ago in response to a railway station disaster that killed 16 people, secured 52.7% of the vote, while Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) garnered 39.2%. Celebrations erupted in cities across Serbia, including Belgrade and Novi Sad, as crowds descended on city centers.
The student movement's victory marks a significant shift in Serbia's politics, with the movement's lead candidate, Ilija Srdanovic, stating that the country will now be "free." The movement, which attracted anti-government voters across Serbia, campaigned on a manifesto that included purging officials who broke rules, cracking down on protesters, and freeing the public broadcaster of political control. The movement's candidates, comprising doctors, actors, academics, and sports personalities, were fielded from across Serbian society.
Aleksandar Vucic, who had spent two terms as president and could not seek a third term, had aimed to return to the post of prime minister by leading his SNS party in the elections. However, he conceded defeat, stating that it was clear his party had lost the elections. Vucic had called the snap elections after two years of protests triggered by the collapse of a canopy in front of Novi Sad station.
The student movement's victory has been hailed as a significant achievement, with Nebojša Vladisavljevic, a professor of political science at the University of Belgrade, describing it as "an avalanche that has wiped out an authoritarian regime and entire political scene." The movement's success has also been attributed to its ability to attract anti-government voters across Serbia, with many celebrating the country's newfound freedom.
The Serbian election commission reported that with 97% of polling stations counted, the student movement had won 2.25 million votes, while Vucic's SNS party had secured 1.67 million votes. The student movement's victory has sparked widespread celebrations, with people dancing and chanting "victory" in the streets of Novi Sad and Belgrade.
Vucic's SNS party had repeatedly denied allegations of corruption, and Vucic himself had pledged to increase pensions and public sector salaries, and investment in state healthcare. However, the student movement's anti-corruption campaign resonated with voters, who appear to have opted for change. The movement's lead candidate, Ilija Srdanovic, expressed hope that the country would now be "free from tyranny."
The student movement's victory marks a new chapter in Serbia's politics, with the movement now having "absolute legitimacy" to govern for the coming years. As the country looks to the future, many are optimistic about the prospects for change, with one student telling the BBC that "it's a miracle" and that "Serbia is free."
Key points
- The student movement's victory marks a significant shift in Serbia's politics, ending the long-time rule of Aleksandar Vucic's SNS party.
- The movement's success has been attributed to its ability to attract anti-government voters across Serbia, with many celebrating the country's newfound freedom.
- The student movement's victory has sparked widespread celebrations, with people dancing and chanting "victory" in the streets of Novi Sad and Belgrade.
