Serbia | Belgrade celebrates the end of Aleksandar Vučić

Belgrade's center was paralyzed after the student list's election victory. On many streets, people celebrated the hoped-for but unexpected victory against Aleksandar Vučić. Photo: Imago/ZUMA Press Wire Shortly after 9 p.m. it gets loud in Belgrade. Cars honk, residents of the Serbian capital make a lot of noise with pots and horns from balconies and windows. Shortly before, the unexpected had happened. Former President Aleksandar Vučić's power cast has failed. His coalition United Serbia lost the early parliamentary election against the student list, Vučić admits his defeat. "Based on the stratified sample, it is already clear that we lost the election."

The 56-year-old has already identified the culprits. What happened is a "confirmation of the revolution" that was carried out "with the direct support of European countries and the American 'Deep State', which opposes US President Donald Trump." Vučić describes the election winners as “simple executors of other people’s dirty work aimed at destroying a sovereign country.”

His counterpart, the list leader of the student movement Ilija Srdanović, countered that night. He is proud of his fellow citizens who hurled a clear “no” at the “tyrant” Vučić. He is convinced: "We are moving towards a more civilized and better Serbia."

“This means everything, my whole life. The Serbs took to the streets twice for their freedom. Hopefully this time it will last forever.”

According to the preliminary results, a good 53 percent of voters voted for the student list, which will have 141 representatives. Vučić's United Serbia coalition will receive 39 percent of the vote and will send 103 deputies to parliament. One thing is clear: the student list does not need a coalition partner.

When the first projections were announced, the pubs in the city center cheered wildly. Young people in particular have gathered to watch election evening together. They sing the Jugopop song “Tri Poljupca Za Sreću” (“Three Kisses for Good Luck”) on a continuous loop, which has become a hit in the current movement.

Towards the evening, warnings increased in various media that the government could take tough action. A massive contingent of gendarmerie and thugs disguised as civilians are said to have been sighted, among other things. Especially in the area of ​​parliament.

But that doesn't stop anyone from gathering right there that evening to celebrate the end of the Vučić government. “This means everything, my whole life,” says Dušan, visibly moved. “The Serbs took to the streets for their freedom twice,” adds the 40-year-old. “Hopefully it lasts forever this time,” Dušan has to laugh.

For a moment it seems as if the exuberant mood could change. There was a brief scuffle with the police as demonstrators began to remove the barriers around Pionirski Park. When the police leave, the pent-up anger is released. Since March 2025, “Ćaciland” (ćaci is a derogatory term for students) has been a place for students loyal to the government. Now their tents are being torn down, cut up and Vučić posters are being broken and beaten amid shouts of “Bravo”.

»The park was closed for a year and a half. These are all mafia tents. And we won against the mafia,” says Ivana. The fact that violence is involved here doesn't bother her. “So much tension has built up that a little violence is okay,” she says, defending the mostly young men, who seem prepared and have batons and knives with them. A short time later, the message “Pionirski Park is liberated” appears on the news ticker.

Celebration on the steps in front of Parliament. Today the taking was symbolic, say the demonstrators. Soon their student list will be in the majority here. Photo: Imago/ITAR-TASS Whatever survives the onslaught of demonstrators will be taken to Slavija, the square where tens of thousands gathered on Thursday for the final rally of the student list. Now there are many more. With great cheers, the barriers in particular are brought onto the square like trophies of a won battle. But it remains peaceful, probably also because the gendarmerie and police have completely withdrawn.

In the days leading up to the election, there were fears that the government could manipulate the vote to keep Vučić in power as prime minister after 14 years as president. On Thursday, demonstrator Elvis said "nd" that he would not accept anything other than victory. Otherwise you want to take the street.

This evening there is relief that there will be no fight. Many who are here are still in slight disbelief that they actually made it. “This is a historic day,” says Milena, who is standing on Slavija with her three teenage daughters. Her children have never experienced anything other than Aleksandar Vučić's politics; she wants to show them that there can also be change, she continues.

At Parliament, the demonstrators took the stairs in front of the building late in the evening and held out until late into the night. Today it is symbolic, but soon parliament will be properly taken over, says one of the men on the stairs.

Even after midnight, the flow of people towards Slavija doesn't stop. There, Aleksandar Vučić no longer looks at the people, as he did on Thursday. Instead of the ex-president, coffee and watches are now being advertised.

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