The key facts

  • The student list received 52.54% of the vote against 39.29% for Vucic's list (based on more than 96% of precincts counted)
  • Merz stated that Berlin will actively support Serbia's European path
  • Vucic conceded defeat and blamed it on interference by European countries and the 'American deep state'

The student list's victory and Berlin's reaction

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday welcomed the victory of the 'Students Win' (Student List) in Serbia's parliamentary elections and said that Berlin would actively support the country's path to EU membership. On social media, he called the result of Sunday's vote unambiguous: 'The parliamentary elections in Serbia have been decided clearly. Congratulations to the Student List! With its demands for the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and fundamental freedoms, it resonated with the people,' Merz wrote, adding: 'We will actively support Serbia's European path.'

Preliminary results

According to preliminary data from Serbia's Republican Electoral Commission, with ballots from more than 96% of polling stations counted the student list was receiving 52.54% of the vote, while the United Serbia list of former president Aleksandar Vucic was receiving 39.29%. The elections took place against the backdrop of nearly two years of student protests triggered by the deadly collapse of a canopy over the railway station in Novi Sad.

Vucic's reaction

Speaking at his party's headquarters in Belgrade, Vucic acknowledged that his electoral list had lost. He attributed the defeat, in his words, to the interference of several European countries and the 'American deep state'. Editorial comment: the election results and the declared support from Berlin point to a possible acceleration of Serbia's European integration, but the final results and the composition of the future government had not been announced at the time of publication, and the figures were based on preliminary counting.