Vucic Concedes Defeat and Cites External Interference
Aleksandar Vucic, who resigned as President of Serbia to run for Prime Minister in early parliamentary elections, has officially acknowledged his defeat by the “Student List.” In statements made to the press following the release of unofficial results on Sunday, Vucic claimed that “external support” played a significant role in the outcome. He identified himself as the candidate for the “Aleksandar Vucic-Serbia United” list, led by the Serbian Progressive Party, but confirmed that the Student List emerged victorious. Vucic stated he would continue his political activities from within the opposition ranks.
Background of Protests and Political Shift
Vucic’s political career spans over 12 years in power. He served as Prime Minister starting in 2014 before being elected President in 2017 and again in 2022. His resignation was necessitated by the need to contest the current election cycle. The recent polls took place against a backdrop of student protests that lasted approximately two years. These demonstrations began after a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people. The student movement participated in the election under the slogan “Student List-Students Win” and declared their victory immediately after the voting process.
Election Results and Security Concerns
The Center for Free and Democratic Elections (CESID) announced in Sunday’s statement, based on unofficial data covering 56 percent of votes, that the Student List secured 52 percent of the vote share. In contrast, Vucic’s list received 39 percent. The State Election Commission reported a voter turnout of 67.6 percent by 19:00 on Sunday, a notable increase from the 58 percent recorded in the 2023 elections.
Tensions were evident at several polling stations, where incidents of violence occurred. The Ministry of Interior reported that two police officers were injured in the Lazarevac area. Allegations of electoral violations were raised at various centers. In response to the unrest, armored police vehicles were deployed on the streets of the capital, Belgrade, prior to the closing of polling boxes, reflecting heightened security measures during the final hours of the election.
