Serbia Wakes to New Reality After Student-Led Movement Ousts Vučić, Raising Hopes for EU Reset

Serbia is waking to a new political reality after a seismic election in which a student-led movement ousted authoritarian president Aleksandar Vučić, raising hopes for a reset in relations with the European Union and other international partners. The victory, driven by youth-led protests and civil society, has been hailed as a turning point for democracy in the Balkans. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who earlier this year came to power after ousting Viktor Orbán, drew parallels between the two movements, calling the moment symbolic. “Surely I wasn’t the only one feeling nostalgic when I saw those pictures coming out of Serbia last night?” he posted, adding that the “Budapest Express” reached Belgrade in politics before it did on the tracks. The result is expected to reshape regional alliances and accelerate Serbia’s stalled EU accession talks. For citizens exhausted by years of autocratic rule, the change signals a possible end to isolation and a new chapter of accountability. The coming weeks will test whether the coalition can deliver on its promises and navigate a complex geopolitical landscape.