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Vucic concedes defeat in elections
Serbia’s Vucic loses election, accuses EU and US ‘deep state’ of meddling: As it happened
The bloc’s leaders rushed to congratulate the student-led opposition on its projected victory before the official vote count was complete Published 25 Oct, 2026 20:42 | Updated 26 Oct, 2026 06:42Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) leader Aleksandar Vucic speaks to media on October 25, 2026 © AP / Petr David JosekSerbia’s student-led opposition is leading in Sunday’s snap parliamentary election, according to preliminary results. Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has accused unnamed European powers and anti-Trump forces in the US of meddling in the vote to “bring down a sovereign country.”
According to preliminary results published by the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) early Monday, the opposition Student List leads with 51.84% of the vote, compared with 39.77% for Vucic’s United Serbia coalition, with nearly 93% of polling stations reporting.
The official figures have moved closer to the final projection by pollster Ipsos and election monitor CeSID overnight, which put the Student List at 52.9% and Vucic’s coalition at 38.8%, based on their stratified sample.
In his remarks earlier on election night, Vucic accused foreign powers of helping engineer his political downfall, describing the vote as the “verification of a revolution” carried out with direct support from “various European countries and the American deep state,” which he said was opposed to US President Donald Trump.
READ MORE: Serbia at a crossroads: What’s at stake and what Moscow can expect“I congratulate them, although they are merely the executors, the executors of dirty work devised by someone else to bring down a sovereign country,” Vucic said, referring to the student-led opposition.
“You have succeeded for the moment. For how long? We shall see,” he added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa were quick to congratulate the Student List, issuing virtually identical statements on X. Both pledged Brussels’ support for reforms and efforts to advance Serbia’s integration into the EU.
Vucic also warned that a new government could impose sanctions on Russia within months, despite opposition representatives insisting that Belgrade’s policy toward Moscow would remain unchanged.
READ MORE: Vucic’s mother attacked during Serbian election – SNSThe former Serbian leader nevertheless pledged to respect the electorate’s decision and continue his political struggle from the opposition, dismissing speculation that he would flee the country.
“I love Serbia. I will never leave Serbia,” Vucic declared, insisting that his party would remain united and politically active.
The election follows nearly two years of political unrest sparked by the deadly collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people and fueled allegations of corruption and failures in safety oversight. Vucic resigned as president on September 27 to participate in the parliamentary race.This live feed has ended.
The Student List has widened its lead over Aleksandar Vucic’s United Serbia coalition to nearly 11 percentage points, according to preliminary results from Serbia’s Republic Electoral Commission (RIK).
As of 4:30am local time on Monday, with 87.7% of polling stations reporting and just over 1,000 still to be counted, the opposition Student List had secured 51.08% of the vote, compared with 40.24% for Vucic’s coalition.
The Socialist-led coalition of Ivica Dacic remained below the 3% parliamentary threshold, with just 2.28% of the vote.
Crowds of supporters of the opposition Student List have gathered outside the National Assembly building in central Belgrade to celebrate the movement’s projected victory in Sunday’s snap parliamentary election.
Footage shared on social media shows people filling the streets directly in front of the parliament building as celebrations continue across the Serbian capital.
Beograd toliko zvoni neprestano kao da je Srbija svetski prvak. A možda i jeste. Izučavaće se ovo i biće i nekoliko doktorskih disertacija u zemlji i svetu. Ovakav pokret i ovakvo angažovanje nije nigde viđeno. Hvala studenti, a hvala i svim građanima koji su pomogli. Hvala. https://t.co/DUuYXNJzEz
Serbia’s Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) has released updated preliminary results showing the opposition Student List leading with 50.02% of the vote, compared with 40.9% for Aleksandar Vucic’s United Serbia coalition.
As of 3:15am local time on Monday, the commission had processed 6,773 of the country’s 8,392 polling stations, representing approximately 80.7% of the total.
The Student List has received 1,543,495 votes, against 1,262,119 for Vucic’s coalition, giving the opposition a lead of more than 281,000 votes.
The Socialist-led coalition of Ivica Dacic remains below the 3% parliamentary threshold, with just 2.34% of the vote.
Crowds celebrating the opposition Student List’s projected election victory have stormed a pro-Vucic tent camp in central Belgrade, tearing down metal fences and dismantling tents, according to local media and AP.
The encampment, nicknamed “Caciland,” had occupied Pioneers Park near the Serbian parliament for more than 18 months, serving as a gathering point for government supporters opposed to the student-led protest movement.
Once upon a time, there was a ćaciland https://t.co/rv5JBEfQT0
Videos and eyewitness reports show people tearing apart tents and removing barriers. At least one tent was set on fire, while local outlet Vreme also reported two vehicles burning.
Požar u Ćacilendu, gore dva automobila ❗️ https://t.co/Q1tI6mt8g7
Serbia’s Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) has released updated preliminary results showing the opposition Student List leading with 48.26% of the vote, compared with 42.2% for Aleksandar Vucic’s United Serbia coalition.
As of 1:40am local time on Monday, the commission had processed 5,417 of the country’s 8,392 polling stations, representing approximately 64.6% of the total.
The Student List has received 1,056,971 votes, against 924,214 for Vucic’s coalition, giving the opposition a lead of more than 132,000 votes.
The Socialist-led coalition of Ivica Dacic trails with 2.41%, below the 3% parliamentary threshold.
The official figures differ from the final Ipsos/CeSID projection, which estimated 52.9% for the Student List and 38.8% for United Serbia. Counting continues, with the final results yet to be announced.
In his remarks earlier on election night, former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused European countries and the American “deep state” of helping engineer his party’s projected electoral defeat, warning that the incoming government could abandon Belgrade’s longstanding refusal to sanction Russia.
Vucic described the election as the culmination of a political upheaval backed by foreign actors, accusing the Student List of carrying out an operation designed to undermine Serbia’s sovereignty.
He predicted that a new government would introduce sanctions against Moscow by March or April next year, despite opposition representatives insisting that Serbia’s Russia policy would remain unchanged.
Vucic nevertheless pledged not to obstruct the formation of a new government, saying the incoming parliamentary majority could establish an administration within 10 to 15 days.
“I love Serbia. I will never leave Serbia,” he declared, dismissing speculation that he might flee the country and vowing to continue his political struggle from the opposition.
Serbia’s opposition Student List is projected to win 52.9% of the vote, compared with 38.8% for Aleksandar Vucic’s United Serbia coalition, according to the final projection released by pollster Ipsos and election monitor CeSID.
The figures are based on 96% of their processed sample, with estimated voter turnout reaching 69.3%.
The Socialist-led coalition of Ivica Dacic trails far behind with just 2.2%, below the 3% parliamentary threshold. All other electoral lists are projected to receive less than 1% each.
The figures remain unofficial, with final results yet to be announced by Serbia’s electoral commission.
Konačna projekcija osvojenih glasova, na osnovu 96% uzorka. Procenjena izlaznost je 69.3%. https://t.co/PVQtDFRmqh
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who unseated Viktor Orbán in April after 16 years in power, has congratulated Serbia’s opposition Student List on its projected election victory.
READ MORE: Orban falls, but Hungary’s realities remain“I have just spoken by phone with the leaders of the Students’ List,” Magyar wrote on X, saying he had assured them of Hungary’s support.
“I was delighted to hear how much strength our victory in April had given them during this difficult struggle,” he added, drawing parallels between the two countries’ political upheavals.
Magyar’s Tisza party defeated Orbán’s Fidesz in Hungary’s April 12 parliamentary election. Serbia’s final official election results have yet to be confirmed.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa have rushed to congratulate Serbia’s opposition Student List on its projected election victory, even as the country’s electoral authorities have yet to announce the final official results.
The two EU leaders published virtually identical statements on X, praising the high voter turnout and pledging Brussels’ support for reforms involving the rule of law, media freedom, anti-corruption measures and democratic institutions.
Today, the people of Serbia turned out in record numbers to shape their country’s future. Congratulations to the Student List on its victory in the parliamentary elections. We stand ready to support reforms on the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption and strong democratic institutions, and to work together to advance Serbia’s future in the European Union. @eucopresident
“We stand ready to support reforms on the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption and strong democratic institutions,” both wrote, also expressing their willingness to advance Serbia’s future in the European Union.
Today, the people of Serbia turned out in record numbers to shape their country’s future. Congratulations to the Student List on its victory in the parliamentary elections. We stand ready to support reforms on the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption and strong democratic institutions, and to work together to build Serbia’s future in the European Union. @vonderleyen
Serbia’s ruling Progressive Party (SNS) accepts the preliminary election outcome and intends to continue its political struggle in parliament, party candidate Marina Ragus has told Tanjug.
“The voice of the people is the voice of God. And you can only respect that,” she said, noting that the SNS expects to secure more than 105 parliamentary seats after 14 years in power.
Ragus suggested that moving into opposition could allow the party to reassess its policies and reform its ranks.
“Brussels won,” she added, questioning what the election outcome would mean for Serbia’s refusal to impose sanctions on Russia and its economic cooperation with China.
Polling stations have closed across Serbia after a day of heavy voter participation. Ipsos and CeSID estimate turnout at 67.6% by 7pm local time, while the Republic Electoral Commission earlier recorded 64.89% by 6pm. Voters already queuing when polling stations closed are still permitted to cast their ballots.
Initial figures from Ipsos and CeSID, based on 51.1% of a sample covering 750 polling stations, project 138 seats for the Student List and 104 for Vucic’s coalition.
The results would give the student-backed movement a majority in Serbia’s 250-seat National Assembly, where 126 seats are required to govern.
Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has acknowledged that preliminary projections from Sunday’s parliamentary elections point to a change of government, with the student-led protest movement expected to secure substantially more seats than his party.
“There will be between 135 and 140 mandates, we have 105,” Vucic said, referring to the projected number of parliamentary seats for the student-led list and his party, respectively.
He stressed that the final results were not yet available.
Vucic: We don't have final results, but based on the samples, we lost the election. 🔵 Aleksandar Vucic, the leader of the "United Serbia" party, stated that they do not have the final results. "Based on the stratified sample, it is clear that we have lost this election. The student list will have between 135 and 140 seats, and we will have around 105 seats," Vucic said. 🔵 Parliamentary elections were held in Serbia today, the 15th since 1990 and the tenth snap election. 18 parties and coalitions participated in the elections, of which nine are minority parties.
Representatives of Serbia’s opposition Student List have welcomed their projected election victory, with supporters taking to the streets to celebrate.
Serbia: Celebrations kicking off in Slavija Square, Belgrade. https://t.co/Ns8ctnnKOw
Serbia’s opposition Student List is projected to secure 139 of the 250 seats in parliament, compared with 104 for Aleksandar Vucic’s United Serbia coalition, according to preliminary estimates by polling agency Ipsos and election monitor CeSID.
Based on 56% of their processed sample, the Student List is projected to receive 52% of the vote, against 39.3% for Vucic’s coalition.
The figures are not official election results, which are being compiled separately by the Republic Electoral Commission.
Projekcija rezultata na 75% obrađenog uzorka! Procena ne uključuje biračka mesta u dijaspori. https://t.co/KJzEsD7svO
Serbia’s opposition Student List has invited Belgrade residents to gather on Milutin Milanković Boulevard to celebrate its projected election victory, while urging supporters to remain peaceful and avoid provocations.
“The job is not done,” the student movement wrote on X, emphasizing that the electoral process was still underway and that its representatives were continuing to count votes and serve on election commissions.
The group urged supporters to withdraw from potential flashpoints and celebrate “peacefully and with dignity.”
“This victory belongs to all of us,” Student List representative Radomir Saičić said, describing the result as a source of hope for a just and democratic Serbia. He stressed that a major victory also brings great responsibility.
The Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), led by Ivica Dacic, is projected to win just 2.3% of the vote in the snap parliamentary election, falling short of the 3% electoral threshold. If confirmed by official results, the outcome would leave the Socialists without representation in Serbia’s parliament for the first time since 1990.
“We will analyze where we could have done better and where we made mistakes,” Dacic told a press conference, acknowledging the disappointing result. He said his health had limited his ability to campaign but vowed to continue the party’s political struggle.
“There was no room for a third party, and that third party was us,” he said, adding that the SPS would oppose any policies it considered contrary to Serbia’s national interests, whether in government or opposition.
🇷🇸 For the first time since its founding by Slobodan Milosevic, the Socialist Party of Serbia, has fallen below the electoral threshold and is set to win 0 seats in parliament. The party led by Dacic was the junior coalition party of Vucic's SNS. https://t.co/S0tyDgIrxF
Serbia’s projected election victory by the opposition Student List will not lead to sanctions against Russia, Jovo Bakic, a professor and representative of the movement, has told RT Balkan.
“We respect Russia both as a great power and as our historically important partner and, in many cases, protector,” Bakic said during an appearance on RT Balkan’s Serbia Chooses program, dismissing former President Aleksandar Vucic’s prediction that a new government would sanction Moscow within months.
“We survived UN sanctions and know very well what an ordeal it is,” he added.
“Sanctions from small Serbia against Russia would not change anything, but symbolically they would be very bad,” Bakic said, insisting that Belgrade’s policy toward Moscow would remain unchanged.
Senior officials in Republika Srpska, the Serb-majority constituent entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, have congratulated Serbia’s opposition Student List on its projected election victory, pledging to maintain close ties with Belgrade.
SNSD leader Milorad Dodik thanked Vucic for years of cooperation, while Republika Srpska parliamentary speaker Nenad Stevandic said Serbia’s electoral choice must be respected.
“Vucic remains great in his deeds even though he lost the elections,” Stevandic wrote on X, calling for peace and stability.
Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minic also congratulated the Student List, stressing that a strong and stable Serbia remains a pillar of Republika Srpska and regional peace.
Crowds of supporters of the Student List have continued celebrating in central Belgrade following projections indicating victory in Serbia’s snap parliamentary election.
Celebrations in central Belgrade after the Student List won the snap parliamentary election in Serbia https://t.co/mjNRSm0Qb8
The festivities have continued into the night, even as the official vote count remains incomplete and final results have yet to be announced.
SERBIA ELECTION | BELGRADE Police withdraw Terazije, just a few minutes ago: Celebrating crowds approaching from London and Terazije come together after police withdrew from Kralja Milana Street. Video: Own footage. https://t.co/8CmkNljxIQ
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