Serbia's student-led movement secures victory in parliamentary elections, ousting long-time leader Aleksandar Vučić. The result marks a significant shift in the country's political landscape, with the opposition gaining a majority in the legislature.
The victory follows nearly two years of anti-government protests, sparked by the 2024 collapse of a canopy at Novi Sad railway station that killed 16 people. The student movement has sustained its momentum, challenging the traditional political structures and achieving a decisive electoral breakthrough.
The outcome highlights the potential of grassroots civic mobilization to challenge entrenched leadership. Analysts suggest the Serbian experience could serve as a precedent for similar movements in other regions, emphasizing the power of the ballot box as a tool for accountability and change.
Vučić's administration has accused foreign powers of orchestrating the protests, a claim that has been disputed by observers who highlight the role of sustained civic mobilization in the movement's success.