This profile mirrors and is kept in sync with the Serbia entry in the main guide's case studies.
Overview
The collapse of a renovated railway canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people, triggered the country's largest sustained protest movement in decades. Nearly two years later, the student-led "Student List" — first-time candidates from outside politics, backed by established opposition parties — won a parliamentary majority in an October 25, 2026 snap election, prompting Aleksandar Vučić, in power since 2012, to concede defeat amid turnout the highest since Yugoslavia's breakup. Preliminary results gave the Student List 139 of 250 seats, enough to govern alone, though as of late October no single leader had emerged and the movement has up to 90 days to form a government once official results are confirmed.
Vučić added a parallel maneuver to the race: barred by the constitution from seeking a third presidential term, with his second due to expire in May 2027, he resigned the presidency on September 27, 2026 to run for prime minister instead, installing parliament speaker Ana Brnabić as acting president in his place. The maneuver did not save his bid for the premiership either: the Student List's win leaves Serbia owing itself a presidential election of its own, which the constitution requires be held by the end of 2026, with Brnabić serving in a largely ceremonial caretaker capacity until then.
Democracy indicators
Liberal Democracy Index, 1990–2025
V-Dem's Liberal Democracy Index for Serbia was 0.15 in 1990, peaked at 0.53 in 2003, and stood at 0.21 in 2025 (scale 0–1). Dashed lines mark events described in the timeline below. Source: V-Dem via Our World in Data, retrieved November 7, 2026. Compare with other countries in the comparison tool.
Show the data
| Country | 1990 | 2015 | 2025 | Regime type, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serbia | 0.15 | 0.34 | 0.21 | Electoral autocracy |
Timeline
Key dated developments, each linked to the reporting that confirms it. Wording is kept neutral; where a government disputes a characterization, its stated position is included. See also the master timeline across all countries.
Aleksandar Vučić's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won about 49% of the vote in snap elections, projected to give it around 157 of 250 seats. Vučić was expected to become prime minister. Source: Al Jazeera
Vučić was sworn in as president after winning in the first round. Protesters alleged a stifled media, voter intimidation and bribes during the campaign. Source: RFE/RL
The SNS won about 61% of the vote, about 190 of 250 seats, in elections the main opposition boycotted, saying Vučić dominated state-run media unfairly. Vučić called the result historic. Source: AP via CTV News
After snap elections, a joint international observer mission said 'the decisive involvement of the President dominated the electoral process'. It also reported misuse of public resources, pressure on voters including cases of vote buying, and media coverage dominated by the ruling parties. Source: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (joint observer statement)
A concrete canopy collapsed at the renovated Novi Sad railway station, eventually killing 16 people. Many Serbians blamed corruption-linked renovation work, and student-led protests followed. Vučić accused protesters of 'terrorizing' people. Source: AP via ABC News
Prime Minister Miloš Vučević resigned after weeks of protests and an attack on a student allegedly carried out by ruling-party supporters. Source: Al Jazeera
More than 100,000 people rallied in Belgrade, one of the largest protests in decades. The government denied corruption allegations and said Western intelligence agencies were backing an effort to destabilise Serbia. Source: Reuters via The Star
Government supporters and protesters clashed in Vrbas and other towns, leaving dozens injured, including 16 police officers. Each side said the other attacked first. Source: AP via PBS NewsHour
Vučić, constitutionally barred from a third presidential term, resigned the presidency to run for prime minister in an October 25 snap election. Speaker Ana Brnabić became acting president. Source: AP via NY1
The opposition Student List won a majority in snap elections and Vučić conceded: 'It is clear that we have lost these elections.' After repeat voting, results gave the Student List 53.01% against 38.98% for Vučić's United Serbia. Source: Al Jazeera
Analytical lens
Concepts on this wiki that help explain this case: Competitive Authoritarianism, Democratic Backsliding and Executive Aggrandizement.