Belgrade residents mark Vučić's defeat in parliamentary elections

Celebrating voting results in the capital

In Belgrade, local residents are marking the defeat of Serbian President Alexander Vučić in the parliamentary elections. The public reaction became a logical continuation of the prolonged confrontation between the government and opposition forces, which began after the tragic events in the city of Novi Sad.

Origins of the protest movement

The student movement, which opposed the authorities, emerged as a result of an accident at the railway station in Novi Sad on 1 November 2024. A concrete canopy collapsed at the time, resulting in the deaths of 16 people. This tragedy sparked mass protests, which subsequently spread across the entire country.

Participants in the actions accused the authorities of corruption and usurpation of power. Throughout 2025, students organised large-scale rallies, blockaded universities, roads and state institutions. Lecturers, football fans, trade unions and human rights defenders joined the movement.

Transformation of protests into a political force

Over time, the student protests evolved into a political movement. Its representatives formed their own list of candidates for the parliamentary elections, challenging the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, which is linked to Vučić.

The political force has been in power since 2012. Vučić became the first Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia at that time, headed the government in 2014, and assumed the office of President of the country in 2017.