Serbia: Student List wins election, triggering institutional reforms

Student List Aleksandar Vučić Serbian parliamentary elections Alta Bank investigation Novi Sad railway station collapse

The Student List, a coalition of political newcomers, has won the Serbian parliamentary elections, defeating Aleksandar Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) which had held power since 2012. The movement emerged from two years of anti-corruption protests, which were significantly intensified following a fatal canopy collapse at a Novi Sad railway station in November 2024 that killed 16 people.

The transition of power has triggered a wave of investigations and arrests. More than 90 individuals, including high-ranking police officials, local administrators, and public enterprise directors, have been detained. Notable among those arrested are Marko Kričak, Boško Sekulić, and Igor Žmirič. Additionally, Davor Macura, owner of Alta Bank, and two associates are suspected of withdrawing approximately 380 million euros from the bank, which is reportedly under investigation alongside the National Bank of Serbia.

Institutional changes are also underway in the media and security sectors. Public broadcasters RTS and RTV have issued apologies for one-sided reporting, while discussions regarding the reform of the security agency, BIA, are expected. The new parliamentary majority, which secured 140 to 141 seats out of 250, is tasked with forming a government and addressing systemic corruption.

Entities

ALTA Bank · Aleksandar Vučić · European Union · Kosovo · Marta Kos · Serbia · Serbian Progressive Party · Student List

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Voter turnout was 70 percent. www.chartist.org.uk
[● 2 SOURCES] The Student List won between 140 and 141 of the 250 parliamentary seats. information.tv5monde.com · www.chartist.org.uk
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Student List won 53.01 percent of the votes. vreme.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Alta Banka and the National Bank of Serbia are under investigation. beta.rs · n1info.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Student List candidates were chosen by 80 student plenums across Serbia. www.chartist.org.uk
[● 8 SOURCES] The Student List defeated Aleksandar Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party in the National Assembly election. www.ipsnews.net · information.tv5monde.com · vreme.com · www.chartist.org.uk · n1info.rs · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] A canopy collapse at a Novi Sad railway station in November 2024 killed 16 people. www.ipsnews.net · information.tv5monde.com · www.granadahoy.com · www.topky.sk · makpress.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] RTS and RTV issued apologies for one-sided reporting. beta.rs · n1info.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] The Student List considers Kosovo to be an integral part of Serbia. kohajone.com · abcnews.al · www.dukagjini.com
[● 7 SOURCES] The Student List won the Serbian parliamentary elections held on October 25. www.topky.sk · makpress.mk · www.ipsnews.net · www.granadahoy.com · vreme.com · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Marko Kričak, Boško Sekulić, and Igor Žmirič are among those detained. www.topky.sk · makpress.mk · zoom.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not receive an official visit request from the Student List. www.arbresh.info