‘We changed the system’: how Serbian students ended Alexander Vučić’s 12 years in power

Serbia’s student-led political motion has actually protected a historical election success. Initial outcomes recommend the so-called Student List has actually won 141 of the 250 seats in parliament, with the judgment Serbian Progressive Party taking 104. The outcome brings the 12-year guideline of Alexander Vučić to an end.

The Student List’s story is impressive. It has no standalone leader and fielded prospects without political experience from throughout Serbian society. Originating from student-led demonstrations versus the established corruption and sneaking authoritarianism of the judgment routine, it has actually now accomplished an unlikely dream.

In late 2025, among us (Gavin Brent Sullivan) performed focus groups with members of the trainee demonstration motion as part of the Pledge EU Horizon jobThe job checks out the psychological characteristics of political complaints and their democratic ramifications.

The protesters’ complaints were centred on the 2024 collapse of a roofing system at the freshly refurbished Novi Sad train station in northern Serbia, which eliminated 16 individuals. Accusations of state participation through corruption in the procurement procedure and decreased structure requirements have actually been rejected by the federal government. They however triggered big across the country demonstrations.

Focus group individuals revealed anger and underlying worry about harassment throughout the demonstrations by what they stated were government-funded gangs. They likewise mentioned their issue at the hazards and violence directed towards them, not just as they opposed however likewise when strolling in locations near federal government structures in primary cities. A number of trainees reported sensation threatened even in their own homes.

At the very same time, the trainees voiced frustration with instructors who were not helpful of their motion, and other trainees who opposed them. This discontentment encompassed older member of the family and family members who duplicated government-controlled media fabrications about the demonstrations. These consisted of claims that the trainees were being paid by foreign anti-Serbian groups.

In spite of the worry of arrest or even worse, and despondency that alter might truly take place, the trainees who participated in the focus groups were resistant. They were concentrated on their long-lasting objective of routine modification, with lots of trainees talking with pride about developing a leaderless motion that was arranging prospects to challenge Vučić in an election.

Numerous individuals reported sensation spontaneous, extreme experiences of nationwide pride when participating in the demonstrations. Some mentioned reclaiming nationwide signs such as the Serbian flag to counter propaganda that they were not patriotic and wished to damage the nation.

Sensations of uniformity were likewise skilled when minority Bosniak Muslim trainees from Novi Pazar University in south-western Serbia signed up with the demonstrations. As one individual stated:

They’re a minority which was at chances with Serbia, with Serbian nationals really. Now we had that part of reunification with them and they’re a Muslim minority. They are truly active in these demonstrations and trainee demonstrations and it’s been fantastic.

Another member of the focus group kept in mind that they anticipated elections to be “ruthless”. They were positive about the possibility of unseating the Vučić federal government. They stated: “I see the peek of hope that this is our future which in fact we can state to our kids, our grandkids, we altered the system, we were the modification.”

At the very same time, the majority of the trainees did not attempt to dream that they would prosper in ousting a federal government that had actually held a 12-year grip on power. It is sensational now after Vučić’s concession speech in which he confessed “it is clear that we have actually lost these elections” to understand that they achieved success simply one year later on.

What’s next?

The impressive triumph of the Student List must promise to any group opposing a corrupt, authoritarian routine that a core dedication to democracy is exactly what draws in citizens to pick progressive modification.

While there will be ecstasy, pride and tears of pleasure in Serbia as the election result sinks in, there might likewise be groups who are afraid of modification and that the brand-new federal government might look for responsibility for members of the ousted program. Some theorists of political feelings speak about the possibility for vengeance to be enacted by winners, particularly when a defend power has actually been bitter.

For those on the losing side, on the other hand, electoral defeat can bring sorrow, stress and anxiety and anger. Acknowledging these feelings and coming to terms with loss can bring openness to alter. In his concession speech, Vučić stated: “I do not desire discontent, I do not desire killings, I do not desire anything like that on the streets.”

The Student List’s dedication to democracy, pluralism and justice must likewise bypass any desire for redress. The motion has actually actively prevented establishing a victim identity, taking duty for enacting modification themselves.

As one focus group individual stated:

Obviously, they are the issue. I’m not attempting to reject that. I would blame us more … because, I indicate, we picked them, we keep selecting them. Okay, they do take when it concerns the elections, they do numerous things, they conceal, they attempt to manage the media and whatever. At the exact same time, we do not have the opposition and we have that state of mind that is enabling them to do whatever they’re doing.

There are different other difficulties dealing with the Student List. These consist of adjusting the motion’s leaderless organisational assemblage into a federal government efficient in providing the reforms needed for EU subscription.

Regardless of what occurs next, it was definitely a benefit to talk to the trainees at a time when modification did not appear possible and to supply motivation and assistance when there was little outdoors acknowledgment of their battles and sacrifices.