Kathmandu. The student group that has been leading the anti-corruption movement in Serbia for almost two years has been victorious in the parliamentary elections.
The 14-year rule of right-wing populist leader Aleksandar Vucic ended on Sunday when the student-led Students’ List party won a snap election.
Anti-government protests in Serbia intensified in 2024 when the roof of a train station in Novi Sad collapsed, killing 16 people. The accident was widely seen as linked to corruption. The student movement that followed increased pressure on the government and managed to hold early elections.
The movement became one of the largest demonstrations in Serbia since the fall of strongman Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.
Student group candidate Radomir Syčić, in a speech at the movement’s headquarters after the election, said that the preliminary results showed that they were clearly ahead in almost all the polling stations. He said that with the victory of the students, the hope of building a country based on justice, freedom and dignity in Serbia has also won.
Highest turnout in three decades
Sunday’s election saw a significant turnout of Serbian voters. According to election officials, about 65 percent of the country’s 6.4 million registered voters had cast ballots. The figure, which was two hours before the polls closed, surpassed the turnout in the 1993 parliamentary election, which was just over 61 percent.
Less than two hours after the voting was completed, Vučić conceded defeat. Supporters of the student movement then celebrated in various places, including the capital Belgrade.
Thousands of people took to the streets of the capital. They expressed their happiness by shouting slogans, honking vehicle horns and setting off fireworks.
Speaking to AFP at the students’ group’s headquarters, Mila Martich, a supporter of the movement, said she felt unbelievable. She said she felt like she was finally living in a free country.
Likely to have a clear majority in the 250-member parliament
In an address to his supporters, Vuchich had said that according to the preliminary results, the student movement could win 135 to 140 seats in the 250-member parliament. If such a result comes, the student group will get a clear majority in the parliament.
The 56-year-old Vucic maintained close ties with Russia throughout his tenure. After his defeat in the election, he blamed foreign powers for the results.
He claimed that the revolution took place with the direct support of various countries in Europe and the ‘Deep State’ of America. He accused these forces of being against US President Donald Trump. Vucic resigned from the post of President to contest the election to become the Prime Minister. With his defeat, the long political influence of the ruling party has suffered a major setback.
From anti-corruption movement to election
The students had been communicating directly with the voters by rallying, demonstrating and marching in various parts of Serbia for almost two years. They prioritized door-to-door and public relations to challenge the influential media apparatus of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.
Independent demonstration monitors estimated that some 150,000 people took part in the last massive demonstration in Belgrade on Thursday.
The agitation that started with the demand for a transparent investigation into the collapse of the roof of the Novi Saad railway station later turned into an anti-government campaign. The protesters had been demanding an impartial investigation into the incident, anti-corruption and accountability. Eventually, they demanded early elections.
Despite trying to stop the movement for nearly two years, Bhuchich announced the elections last month amid mounting pressure. He had decided to hold the elections citing a major upheaval in the country’s internal political situation.
Congratulations from the European Union and Hungary
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar congratulated the students on their victory.
Von der Leyen said the EU was ready to support reforms in Serbia to promote the rule of law, media freedom, anti-corruption and the development of strong democratic institutions.
He also pledged to work together to advance Serbia’s future of joining the European Union.
Hangarian Prime Minister Magyar also said he had spoken to student group leaders and assured them of his country’s support. He said he was happy to hear that his side’s victory in Hungary in April had given Serbian students a great impetus during their difficult political struggle.
Vučić’s defeat came just months after his close ally and Magyar’s far-right predecessor, Viktor Orban, also lost the election.
Mirjana Nikolich, a student candidate, said after announcing her victory, she said it had been a dream of two years.
Less political experience, stronger commitment to anti-corruption
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Most of the 250 candidates put forward by the student movement are experts from various professions, including academia and the arts, according to AFP. Many of them have little direct political experience.
The main election agenda of the student group is to control corruption. The movement has also prioritized transparency, accountability and strengthening of democratic institutions.
National and international observers were mobilized to monitor the election process. The student group also mobilized a large number of volunteers to monitor the voting and counting process.
The election results in Serbia have given a message that the anti-corruption movement can have a decisive impact on electoral politics, challenging the political forces that have been in power for a long time. After this success of the student movement, it will be important to see how much the new leadership implements the promises of anti-corruption, good governance and democratic reforms in practice.
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