European leaders and officials in neighbouring countries congratulated Serbia’s Student List on its victory in Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections, expressing hopes for democratic reforms, a new era in regional cooperation in the Balkans, and renewed progress towards European Union membership.
Serbia’s former President Aleksandar Vucic has acknowledged the Student List win, while preliminary results published by Serbia’s Republic Electoral Commission on Monday morning showed the opposition had taken 52.54 per cent of the vote, compared to 39.29 per cent for Vucic’s ruling coalition.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated the Student List, expressing the EU’s readiness to support Serbia’s European integration.
“We stand ready to support reforms on the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption and strong democratic institutions, and to work together to advance Serbia’s future in the European Union,” von der Leyen wrote on X.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos described the election as a turning point that followed student-led protests for democracy, the rule of law and political accountability, which erupted in 2024 after the Novi Sad railway station disaster.
“Dear Serbia, you have made your voice heard! After nearly two years of protests for democracy, the rule of law and the fight against corruption, Serbians turned out in historic numbers. Congratulations to the Student List on your victory!” Kos wrote on X.
Kos added that now “a new chapter can begin for Serbia. The door to the EU is open, and we are ready to move forward together.”
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, also writing on X, welcomed Vucic’s acceptance of the election result and his commitment to a peaceful democratic transition and hailed the student movement “perseverance, energy and commitment to European principles and Serbia’s future”.
Congratulations also came from neighbouring counties, with which Serbia under Vucic’s leadership has sometimes had difficult relationships.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic expressed hope that the change of government would prove to be a turning point in relations between Montenegro and Serbia.
“I congratulate the representatives of the Student List and firmly believe that a new chapter lies ahead for Montenegro and Serbia, based on respect and open dialogue, without unnecessary escalation of tensions,” Spajic wrote on X.
Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic also hailed the result as a possible new beginning.
“I am convinced that this electoral result will open a new chapter in the relations between Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia, based on friendship, sincere dialogue and commitment to a shared European future,” Milatovic said.
In Croatia, there were no instant reactions from the governing party, but warm words from the opposition.
Sinisa Hajdas Doncic, president of Croatia’s largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said on Monday the result presented an opportunity for political change and the opening of a new chapter in Serbia’s relations with Croatia and the European Union.
In a Facebook post, Hajdas Doncic expressed his respect for the Student List and citizens of Serbia who had persistently demanded government accountability and a fairer society. “Citizens’ trust carries a great responsibility,” he said.
The opposition party Mozemo! (We Can!) described the election result as a “major democratic victory” that opened the door to restoring independent institutions, strengthening the rule of law, ensuring media freedom and combatting corruption.
Vucic’s longtime ally in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Serb-led entity Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, also congratulated the Student List on its victory, writing on X that “Republika Srpska and Serbia will continue forward together, maintaining the closest and best possible relations, with cooperation and mutual support on all regional and international issues.”
In Serbia’s northern neighbour Hungary, where strongman leader Viktor Orban was voted out of office earlier this year, Prime Minister Peter Magyar voiced his congratulations for the Student List, saying he had spoken by phone with its leaders and assured them of Hungary’s support.
“I was delighted to hear how much strength our victory in April had given them during this difficult struggle,” Magyar wrote on X.