Twelve years of Aleksandar Vučić's rule, which the opposition and civil society in Serbia have called dictatorial, came to an end on Sunday night.
The party he leads, the SNS, lost the snap parliamentary elections on an election day with many reported incidents and irregularities.
The winner is the Student List, which according to the organization monitoring the elections – CRTA – won 51.7 percent.
According to its data, based on results from a sample of polling stations, Vučić's SNS won 40.42 percent.
Vučić himself admitted defeat, just an hour and a half after the polls closed.
"Based on the sample, it is clear that we have lost these elections. The Student List won, which will have between 135 and 140 seats, while in the parliament it will have about 105 seats," Vučić said from the party headquarters in Belgrade. "We have about 1.720.000 votes, while they have about 2.200.000," he added.
He also continued to accuse the Student List of being obstructive and harmful to Serbia. He said that the victory of this list was achieved thanks to the help of countries that, according to him, do not want the best for Serbia.
There was a celebration at the headquarters of the Student List, which competed in these elections with the slogan "Students win."
The candidates on this list, together with the students, sang and chanted "Victory".
"Never again a tyrant in our country," said Ilija Srdanović, the leader of the Student List.
No other Serbian party is expected to pass the three percent electoral threshold, including the one led by Ivica Dacic – SPS. This party, according to CRTA, has won just over 2 percent.
And among the minority parties in Serbia, Albanian, Hungarian, and possibly Bosnian ones are expected to secure seats.
Albanians competed in these elections on a single list called the "Albanian Coalition".
The first on this list, Shaip Kamberi, said that Albanians have secured two seats based on the results so far and it is possible to secure a third seat.
"Historic achievement! Two mandates for Albanians in the Serbian Parliament, in the race for the third! According to preliminary results, the 'Albanian Coalition' has received 27.230 votes, which with the 35% increase in the electoral coefficients for national minorities gives a calculated value of 36.761 votes. This is the result of political unity, civic trust and shared commitment to dignified representation. As the leader of the list, I thank every citizen of Preševo, Bujanovac and Medvedja for their trust, all political entities for their unity and Prime Minister Albin Kurti for his commitment. Together in the elections, together in representation, together for our rights!" Kamberi wrote on Facebook.
In the last legislature, Albanians were represented by only one MP in the Serbian Parliament – Kamberi.
The result of the "Albanian Coalition" has also been called historic by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who has repeatedly called on Albanians in the Presheva Valley to come out to vote.
"According to preliminary results, the "Albanian Coalition" has received 27.230 votes in Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, which with the 35% increase in the electoral coefficients for national minorities, translates into the equivalent of 36.761 votes for the calculation of mandates. Two projected mandates in the Serbian Parliament, with the race for the third still open! The political union of Albanians is becoming the most powerful parliamentary representation. Meanwhile, Aleksandar Vučić has publicly admitted defeat in the elections to the Student List. Ivica Dačić is also facing a heavy defeat, with his list, according to preliminary projections, remaining below the 3% electoral threshold. Congratulations to all Albanian citizens and political entities in Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja who made this union possible!", he wrote on Facebook.
In fact, after Vučić admitted defeat, great celebrations broke out in many cities in Serbia, especially in Belgrade, where the country's main institutions were surrounded by Serbian gendarmerie shortly before the polls closed.
The Student List is running in the elections after almost two years of protests, following the collapse of the railway station shelter in Novi Sad, which left 16 people dead.
After much protests and pressure, Vučić resigned as president a few weeks ago and announced new elections, running in them as a candidate for prime minister.
This student movement has gathered 250 professors and various members of civil society on a list that will now have a majority in the Serbian Parliament.
Voter turnout was high. 69.7 percent of voters exercised their right to vote, which, when including votes from the Serbian diaspora, could break the record set in 2000, when the regime of Slobodan Milosevic was overthrown.
Meanwhile, the Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID) has announced that by 20:00 PM it had registered over 300 reports of irregularities during election day.
On its website, the center wrote that among the main problems were irregularities in the organization of voting outside polling stations, reports of voting without presenting an ID card, repeated cases of photographing ballots, and family or group voting.
Reports also indicate problems in the work of polling station councils, malfunctioning voter verification equipment, interruptions in voting, and difficulties in exercising the right to vote.
Among the highest turnouts in elections in Serbia since 2012
Photo: Associated Press
According to the Republican Election Commission of Serbia, voter turnout in the parliamentary elections by 14:00 PM reached 46.53% in 2026, marking a significant increase compared to previous elections.
In 2012, by 14:00 p.m., 32.20% had voted. Then, in the 2014 parliamentary elections, turnout by the same hour was 27.70%, while in 2016 it reached 28.89%.
In the 2020 elections, turnout was the lowest in this comparison, at 21.80%. Two years later, in the 2022 parliamentary elections, turnout increased to 29.14%.
In the 2023 elections, 32.38% of eligible citizens had voted by 14:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, in the 2026 parliamentary elections, turnout by 14:00 PM reached 46.53%, marking the highest level compared to all the aforementioned elections.
Voter turnout increases in Presevo, citizens report being removed from voter lists
As of 2:00 p.m., voter turnout in the Municipality of Presheva has reached 20% (around 9,200 voters), which marks an increase of around 14% compared to the previous election process. However, despite this, citizens have reported having their names removed from the electoral lists.
This data includes all 37 polling stations in the municipality, where a total of 46,000 citizens have the right to vote.
The voting process has so far proceeded without serious incidents. However, one concern that many citizens, especially those who came from Kosovo to vote, have raised is that they have not found their names on the voter lists, as they have been deleted from them.
Early elections for the 250-seat Parliament are being held in Serbia today, in which the Albanian Coalition is competing as the sole political entity of the Albanians of the Presevo Valley, with number 17.
Four-hour wait at the border crossing in Jarinje
In the latest update from the National Border Management Center, long waits are reported at the border crossings connecting Kosovo with Serbia.
The longest wait is reported at the border crossing in Jarinje. To exit this border crossing into Serbia, the wait is reported to be up to four hours, while to enter from this point, the wait is reported to be up to three hours. While the column is over 3 kilometers long.
There was also a long queue at the other border crossing connecting Kosovo with Serbia, in Merdare. There, the wait to enter Kosovo is up to 40 minutes, while to exit Serbia, it is up to two hours.
In Brnjak, the waits are up to half an hour to enter and exit Kosovo, while the column on both sides is 1,500 meters long.
The wait to enter Kosovo from the Dheu i Bardhë border crossing is an hour and a half, while to exit it is up to 40 minutes.
Parliamentary elections are being held in Serbia today.
Kamberi votes in Trnovec, calls for mass turnout in the elections
Photo: KSP
Shaip Kamberi voted in his hometown of Trnovec, Presevo. Kamberi is the leader of the "Albanian Coalition" list in today's elections in Serbia.
Kamberi has invited all Albanian citizens to vote and exercise this democratic right.
"We have fulfilled our part of the preparations for these elections, now I have also completed my civic duty. What I expect from the citizens, the residents of Trnoc but also the entire Presevo Valley, is to massively exercise their right to vote. It is a democratic right that no one can violate. It is a moral, national and political obligation to carry out this duty and participate in the elections," said Kameri.
It is understood that in Presheva, by 10:00, 1090 citizens or 2.5 percent of the resident population had voted.
During today, OSCE troops were also present at the polling stations in Presheva to monitor the process.
In the previous term, Kamberi was a member of the Serbian Parliament.
Sinani calls on citizens: Go out and vote today, it is a vital day for the Albanians of the Valley
The mayor of Presevo, Ardita Sinani, has also exercised her right to vote in Serbia.
Sinani said that today is a crucial and vital day for the Albanians of the Presheva Valley and invited citizens not to hesitate and go out to vote.
"I invite citizens to come out today, to exercise their right to vote. Today is a decisive day, it is vital for the future, not only of the region but mainly for the Albanians of the Presheva Valley. So do not hesitate, come out with all your family members and respond to today's vote," said Sinani.
She has also described this process as a referendum in itself.
"Today, I think this electoral process is a referendum in itself, so come out en masse," said Sinani.
Elections are being held in Serbia today, with Albanians from the Presevo Valley, Bujanovac and Medvedja also participating.
Over 27% turnout in Serbian elections by 11:00
Photo: Associated Press
More than a quarter of voters in Serbia have cast their ballots by 11:00 am in snap parliamentary elections this Sunday, October 25, amid long lines in front of polling stations and reports of irregularities.
According to the Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID), turnout reached 27.3 percent, compared to 15.1 percent at the same time in the 2023 elections.
In these elections, the third parliamentary elections in the last five years, a student movement born from a civic initiative is aiming to end the 14-year rule of Aleksandar Vučić and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
According to the CRTA observation mission, polling stations across Serbia opened mostly on time. Meanwhile, the Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID) reported that more than 70 irregularities had been reported during the voting by 09:00 a.m.
According to this organization, cases of photographing ballots, using phones, voting outside booths, and family voting have been identified, including one report that a voter voted on behalf of another person.
Clashes between members of polling station councils, temporary interruptions of voting, incidents and threats against voters, as well as problems with election material and voter verification, have also been reported.
Polling stations are open until 20:00, while 6.450.523 citizens are eligible to vote. Voting is taking place in 8.392 polling stations, of which 93 are located abroad./rel
OSCE observers for elections in Serbia: High turnout is a good sign
ODIHR observers are also monitoring the elections in Serbia. The OSCE Special Coordinator for the short-term observation mission, Gilles Baum, says the high turnout is a good sign for the country. The head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly mission, Federica Honori, stressed that not all ODIHR recommendations were followed, writes N1.
At a press conference, Gilles Baum said that these early parliamentary elections are important for Serbia.
"We have noticed that there is a lot of interest in these elections and I would say that the high turnout shows that people in Serbia are very interested in shaping their future and democracy. When many people go to vote, this is a good sign for the country," he said.
Federica Honori, who is also an Italian MP, says that around 70 members of this mission are monitoring the elections throughout Serbia, that this mission will have all the details today and that it will announce its findings at a conference tomorrow at the Metropol at 15:00 PM.
She emphasized that the ODIHR recommendations have been fulfilled, but not fully, mainly those related to the safety of journalists and the use of public funds for campaign expenses and political purposes.
Bom also added that the ODIHR mission met with two main political parties, the Student List and the United Serbia List, and that both groups, he said, told him that they would recognize the election results when they were announced.
Early parliamentary elections are being held in Serbia today, and polling stations are open from 7:00 a.m. to 20:00 p.m., according to the schedule.
6,451,292 voters are eligible to vote, and the elections are being held in 8,392 polling stations, of which 29 are in prisons and 93 abroad in 37 countries, where there are 102,147 voters.
A total of 2,418 candidates from 18 electoral lists, half of which have the status of minority lists, will compete for 250 parliamentary seats in the Parliament of Serbia. The threshold for entry into parliament is three percent, while the natural threshold applies to national minority lists.
Albanians vote in Presheva
Albanian citizens are voting at polling stations in Presheva.
Some of them have headed to the 'Ibrahim Kelmendi' school.
Early parliamentary elections are being held in Serbia today, where citizens will vote for the new composition of the Serbian Parliament.
Voting centers will be open from 07:00 to 20:00 and there will be a total of 18 electoral lists on the ballot.
Meanwhile, it is the first time that Albanians are running on a joint electoral list in the Serbian elections.
Voters in Serbia expect elections to be held peacefully
Photo: Associated Press
Serbian voters have expressed their expectations as they cast their ballots on Sunday in parliamentary elections, which are seen as a showdown between the Balkan country's populist leader, Aleksandar Vucic, and a student movement that has led protests against him for nearly two years.
Many voters lined up in front of polling stations and expressed hope that the elections would be held peacefully, AP reports.
"I hope that everything goes peacefully and ends well, so that others, no matter how things go, do not cause problems and that a new day finally dawns in this country, after many years," said Jovan Mitrovic, a voter in Belgrade.
Aida Rodić expressed her enthusiasm after casting her vote.
"This reminds me of when I was young, when voting day was a special day. This day is special for me too. I'm very excited, after 30 years, I feel really excited," Rodic said.
Although Serbia's 6.4 million voters can choose between 18 parties seeking seats in the 250-seat parliament, the elections have taken the form of a referendum between Vucic's right-wing Serbian Progressive Party and the youth-backed Student List.
The two main forces are believed to be competing head-to-head, making Sunday's elections the most unpredictable in recent years.
Voter turnout is expected to be high, which could prevent most smaller parties from passing the 3 percent threshold needed to enter parliament.
While Vučić has consistently managed to defeat Serbia's divided opposition in the past, the leaderless student movement has proven to be a formidable opponent, shaking up his iron grip on power in a way that no one else has managed to do in the 14 years since his party came to power.
A student victory is likely to resonate beyond Serbia, at a time when countries across Europe are grappling with youth and student protests.
Local elections held earlier this year in 10 municipalities in Serbia were accompanied by violent attacks on journalists and activists.
The previous parliamentary elections, held in 2023, were followed by protests from the opposition, which claimed that there had been electoral manipulation.
Long lines at polling stations in Serbia, turnout reaches 12% by 09:00 AM
Photo: AP
Serbians are heading to the polls this Sunday, October 25, for another snap parliamentary election – the third in five years. In it, a student movement born from a citizens' initiative will aim to end the 14-year rule of Aleksandar Vučić and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
According to preliminary data from the Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID), 12 percent of voters had voted by 09:00 a.m., compared to 5,2 percent at the same time in the 2023 elections. This estimate is based on data from 750 polling stations.
CeSID announced that by 09:00, more than 70 irregularities had been reported during the voting.
According to this organization, cases of photographing ballots, using phones, voting outside booths, and family voting have been identified, including one report that a voter voted on behalf of another person.
Clashes between members of polling station councils, temporary interruptions of voting, incidents and threats against voters, as well as problems with election material and voter verification, have also been reported.
"Particularly concerning is the obstruction of observers' access. In some polling stations, observers were not allowed access, so we must contact the responsible authorities and intervene so that they can carry out their work," CeSID said.
Polling stations are open from 07:00 to 20:00, and 6.450.523 citizens are eligible to vote. Voting is taking place in 8.392 polling stations, of which 93 are located abroad.
Vučić resigned as president at the end of September. Since he cannot run for a third term, he now aims to become prime minister, a post he held from 2014 until he was elected president in 2017.
However, the election campaign has been accompanied by growing concerns that there may be electoral manipulation.
The elections are being closely watched by the European Union, which has criticized Serbia for a backsliding in democracy under Vučić's leadership./REL
Albanian Foreign Minister calls on Albanians in the Valley: Come out en masse to vote
Albania's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has called on Albanians in the Presevo Valley to massively participate in the elections being held today in Serbia.
Through a post on the social network X, he declared that each vote matters for the future of Albanians in the Presheva Valley.
He stated that high participation in elections influences the strengthening of citizens' voices for their rights and political representation.
Dear compatriots, citizens of the Valley of #Presevo.
— Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 (@HoxhaFer) October 25, 2026
Participating in elections is a fundamental democratic right, but also an important opportunity to make your voice heard and have the weight it deserves.
Today is the day to do this, by taking...
Up to 180 minutes waiting in Jarinje to exit Kosovo
Photo from the archive
(Article updated 9:40) - Columns of vehicles leaving Kosovo at the border points in Jarinje, Bernjak, Merdar and Dheu i Bardhë have been reported by the National Center for Border Management.
According to data updated at 9:24, waits in Jarinje for departure from Kosovo are up to 180 minutes, in Bernjak up to 50 minutes, in Merdar up to 120 minutes and in Dheu i Bardhë 80 minutes.
Other border points, according to the data presented, are not busy.
