Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the “Student List” on its victory in Serbia’s parliamentary election, calling it a new chapter in the country’s history. Candidates backed by the student movement won 52.7% of the vote and 139 seats in parliament, while Serbia’s longtime leader Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the election results on X, wishing Serbia success, development and closer ties with the European community.
“Changes have taken place in Serbia — a victory for the ‘Student List’, and this is clearly a new chapter in the history of the country and its people. We wish Serbia success, genuine development and warm relations with the European community,” the Ukrainian president wrote.
He also thanked Serbia for respecting the Ukrainian people, their state and independence.
“And we always celebrate our shared achievements — everything that strengthens our societies and gives people more opportunities. We are ready to continue expanding our cooperation, and may all the good hopes of the people of Serbia come true!” Zelenskyy added.
According to Reuters, with nearly 99% of votes counted, candidates from the “Student List” secured 52.7% of the vote, compared with 39.2% for the alliance led by Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party.
The student movement thus won 139 seats in the 250-seat parliament, while Vucic’s alliance secured 97. The remaining seats went to ethnic minority parties.
Aleksandar Vucic, who had dominated Serbian politics since 2014 as either prime minister or president, conceded defeat on the evening of October 25.
Following the announcement of the results, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Belgrade and other Serbian cities to celebrate the student movement’s victory.
The election followed two years of largely peaceful anti-government protests that began after the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people. Protesters demanded Vucic’s resignation and an end to corruption, allegations of which he denied.
Despite its decisive election victory, Serbia’s future leadership remains uncertain. The student movement has no clearly defined leader, and it remains unclear who will become prime minister or fill other key government positions.
Among the movement’s prominent figures, Reuters names the head of the electoral list, cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic, former central bank governor Dejan Soskic, and Belgrade University professor Radomir Sajcic.
