In Serbia, the opposition 'Student Movement' won the elections: expert assesses its course toward the EU

After 14 years in power, Aleksandar Vucic lost the elections to a movement without a single leader. International Crisis Group analyst Marko Prelec considers doubts about its ability to govern the country premature and notes that the movement is seeking better relations with the EU, although it remains 'ambiguous' on the question of membership.

Otabek YusupovFirst published on tafs uz 28 October 2026 at 13:112 min read

The key facts

Aleksandar Vucic, who served as prime minister, lost the elections after 14 years in power
The 'Students List' won without a single leader and without a designated candidate for prime minister
Expert M. Prelec: the movement seeks better relations with the EU, but is 'ambiguous' on membership

Victory of a leaderless movement

In Serbia's parliamentary elections held on October 28, 2026, incumbent Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, who had ruled the country for 14 years, was defeated. He was overtaken by the 'Student Movement' (Students List) — a structure without a single leader or a 'charismatic figure', in which no one has been named as to who exactly will become prime minister. This is reported by Euronews citing International Crisis Group analyst Marko Prelec.

Expert assessment: dismantling the system will take time

Prelec, who previously worked with the Hague Tribunal on the prosecution of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia, believes that dismantling Vucic's system will take a long time, but considers concerns about the 'Students List's' ability to govern the country 'premature'. According to him, the movement won 'solely on the promise of turning the page' on the Vucic era, rather than thanks to a coherent program.

Relations with the European Union

Regarding European integration, Prelec notes that the movement was 'ambiguous' on the question of possible Serbian EU membership, but at the same time 'clearly seeks better relations' with the union. The practical steps of the new government — including the choice of a prime ministerial candidate and the specification of the European course — have not yet been determined: they are not named in the publication.