EU Congratulates Serbia's Student List on Projected Majority Win

Serbia's opposition Student List is projected to win almost 53% of the vote and an absolute majority in parliament in the early parliamentary elections, and the European Union congratulated it on the victory, pledging support for reforms.

According to projections by the Centre for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID) and the polling agency Ipsos, based on 96% of the sample processed, the Student List gets 52.9% of the vote. The list of former president Aleksandar Vucic, "Aleksandar Vucic – United Serbia", gets 38.8%, trailing by 14.1 percentage points. On these projections the student movement wins 140 of 250 seats, an absolute majority, while Vucic's list gets 103.

Brussels reacts

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted record turnout and congratulated the Student List. "Serbia's citizens turned out in record numbers to decide their country's future. Congratulations to the Student List on winning the parliamentary elections," she said. She added that the EU is ready to support reforms in the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption and the strengthening of democratic institutions, and to work on Serbia's path towards the EU.

Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos linked the result to almost two years of protests for democracy, the rule of law and the fight against corruption. In her view, a new stage may begin for the country. "The door to the EU is open and we are ready to move forward together," she said.

Background

On the evening of 25 October Vucic conceded defeat. The previous parliamentary elections in Serbia were held on 17 December 2023. Read our earlier report: Vucic Concedes Defeat in Serbia's Snap Election to Student Movement.