The student movement in Serbia has won parliamentary elections ending 14 years of right-winged populist party led by Aleksandar Vucic. The snap election came after almost two years of protests against the government which he was seen to be failing in its duties over a deadly railway station disaster in 2024.
16 people were killed and thousands of people were angered by a collapse of a canopy over the railway station at Novi Sad. The tragedy attracted many Serbians who criticized government corruption and alleged government failures were behind the loss of life, sparking the largest protest marches in Serbia since the end of Slobodan Milosevic’s rule in 2000.
Students Celebrate Election Victory
Candidates from the student List were ahead in nearly all polling stations, said Radomir Saicic in preliminary results.
He termed the result as a triumph of students and another step toward a just, free and dignified Serbia.
The capital has hosts of supporters attending celebration, as people chant, fireworks fly and passing cars honk to mark the celebration.
Student Mila Martic told that she was feeling as if she is living in a free country for the first time.
Record Voter Turnout Reported
Turnout was very high, even for parliamentary elections, up to the record of Serbia of more than 30 years. Nationwide, almost 65 per cent of the 6.4 million registered voters had voted by 6 pm ahead of the stations closing, according to electoral officials.
But with less than two hours of voting done, Vucic already conceded defeat and left opposition supporters ecstatic.
It is a significant event in Serbia’s political history as the feeling of corruption and lack of government accountability caused long-term protests. A victory in the elections marks the strengthening of the student movement and its demand for political changes.
More official results are to be expected which will make more precise the final allocation of parliamentary seats.