By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Serbian students have toppled President Aleksandar Vučić after 12 years in power, with a student-led electoral list securing a historic victory in Sunday's election. Record turnout saw voters back a slate of candidates, half of whom hold PhDs, put forward by activists who have led two years of protests against Vučić's increasingly authoritarian rule.
Record Turnout Ends 12-Year Rule
Sunday's vote drew unprecedented participation, ending Vučić's decade-long grip on power. The Student List, organized by activists who mobilized mass demonstrations since 2024, presented a platform of academic experts and grassroots organizers.
Student List Wins with PhD Candidates
Half of the winning candidates hold doctorates, reflecting the movement's emphasis on expertise. Among those elected is Milica Jovanović, a student activist now set to become a member of parliament. Serbian-American journalist Ana Milosavljevic and activist Tara Blagojević have highlighted the movement's shift from protest to governance.
Leaderless Movement Faces Governance Challenge
With victory secured, the movement confronts the difficult task of selecting a prime minister and forming a government without a formal leadership structure. Observers question how a decentralized, leaderless coalition will translate its moral authority into effective administration.
