Tens of thousands of people flooded the streets of Belgrade on Sunday night to celebrate a historic election victory after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat to a student-backed list of candidates in parliamentary elections.

Crowds filled the city's main boulevards, halting trams and traffic. Smoke filled the air as people celebrated with flares, marking a major victory for a two-year peaceful protest movement demanding Vucic's resignation and an end to alleged corruption. Vucic has denied the allegations.

The victory marks a major political shift in Serbia, a Balkan country of around six million people. It also highlights the power of younger generations in mobilising public anger against the government.

"That ‌is ⁠the best thing that happened in my life. We will now breathe freely," said Milica, a law student.

Vucic had held power as prime minister or president since 2014. His tenure saw strong economic growth, but opposition grew after the collapse of a railway station awning in November 2024 killed 16 people. The tragedy fuelled student-led protests and demands for accountability.

The student-backed group, comprising 250 candidates from different backgrounds, now faces the challenge of governing. Many candidates are lawyers, professors, actors and farmers.

On Sunday evening, however, celebrations took centre stage as supporters gathered at the group's headquarters, hugging and cheering in disbelief at their victory.

"The people have ​won! The people defeated a dictator! The people will lead Serbia!" said Nebojsa Cosic, waving a flag in the street.