Vucic concedes defeat in Serbia parliamentary vote

Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in Serbia's parliamentary elections on Sunday night. The long-time leader stepped aside after a student-backed list of candidates secured victory. The result ends his continuous hold on executive power since 2014.

Tens of thousands of supporters filled Belgrade's main boulevards to celebrate. Trams and traffic halted as crowds chocked the streets. Smoke hung in the air while a man on a car waved a flare. The scene mirrored the violent protests that have shaken European cities for a month, though Sunday marked a victory rather than a demand for change.

The win concludes a two-year peaceful movement calling for Vucic to step down. Protesters cited rampant corruption in the Balkan nation, a charge Vucic has denied. The coalition consists of 250 candidates, many of whom are lawyers, professors, actors, or farmers. They form a disparate group that must now transition from opposition to governance.

Vucic previously served as both prime minister and president. He oversaw strong economic growth during his tenure. His popularity eroded after the collapse of a railway station awning in November 2024. That incident killed 16 people and triggered sustained student-led demonstrations.

"That is the best thing that happened in my life. We will now breathe freely," said Milica, a law student present in the crowd. Nebojsa Cosic waved a flag on the street and shouted that the people defeated a dictator. The candidates gathered at their headquarters, hugging and cheering in what they described as near disbelief at their achievement.

The shift affects a country of approximately 6 million people. The student-backed list holds the balance of power in parliament. They face the immediate task of forming a government. The previous administration had controlled the legislative body for over a decade.