Country
Serbia
- Serbian prosecutors investigate outgoing foreign minister and dozens of diplomats over obstructing voting abroad
Al Jazeera reported that Serbian prosecutors announced on Tuesday, Oct 27, that they are investigating the outgoing foreign minister and dozens of diplomats on suspicion of interfering in last Sunday's snap parliamentary election. The investigation began with complaints against two ambassadors and then widened to criminal complaints of abuse of office and violating voting rights against ambassadors at seven more embassies, as well as the foreign minister and three foreign ministry staff. Before the vote, Serbian voters abroad complained that no polling stations were opened in their areas, forcing many to travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres to vote. The government lost power in the election.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Protesters storm newsroom of pro-Vucic Informer TV after Serbian leader's camp loses election
In Serbia's election on Sunday, Oct 25, the Student List, which grew out of a student anti-corruption protest movement, defeated the coalition led by Aleksandar Vucic, ending his party's 14 years in power. On Monday night tens of thousands celebrated in the streets for a second night, and about 30 people stormed the newsroom of the pro-Vucic Informer TV, interrupting a live broadcast, surrounding its editor-in-chief and owner and demanding his arrest. Vucic said on his personal Instagram that it was an attack on freedom of speech and the press. Vucic became prime minister in 2014 and president in 2017, served as information minister under Milosevic, and kept tight control of the media while in power.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Serbia celebrates student list's election win as President Vučić's roughly 12-year rule heads for handover
After Sunday's snap parliamentary election in Serbia, President Aleksandar Vučić conceded his ruling camp had lost, and celebrations continued across the country on Monday, with several media calling the expected end of his 12 to 14 years of dominance 'historic'. Preliminary results suggest the student movement's 'Student List - Students Win' could take a majority in the 250-seat parliament, on the highest turnout since the 1990s, and voices in the EU said 'the door to the EU is open'. The election was triggered by nearly two years of anti-corruption protests after a station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad in 2024.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Serbia's Vučić concedes defeat in snap parliamentary election as student movement's list expected to win majority
Serbia held an early parliamentary election on Sunday, Oct 25, and that evening President Aleksandar Vučić, in power for 12 years, conceded at his Serbian Progressive Party headquarters in Belgrade that his camp had 'lost', predicting that the list fielded by the student movement would win a parliamentary majority, with minority parties taking about 5 seats. Data from election monitor CeSID showed turnout of 67.6% by 7pm, the highest since 1992. The election followed more than a year of protests after the collapse of a station canopy in Novi Sad in 2024 killed 16 people, with students and the opposition accusing the government of corruption.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Serbia holds snap parliamentary election as student movement's list challenges Vučić
After the collapse of a station canopy in Novi Sad killed 16 people and sparked nearly two years of anti-corruption protests, Serbia holds an early parliamentary election on Sunday, Oct 25. Vučić, in power for 14 years, has stepped down as president to run for prime minister, challenged by the 'Student List' born of the protests, whose 250 candidates were chosen by student assemblies and which is led by University of Novi Sad cardiology professor Ilija Srdanović. The BBC called it the toughest challenge for the Serbian Progressive Party since it took power in 2012.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Serbia's student movement holds final Belgrade rally before Oct 25 election, aiming to end ruling party's 14 years in power
Al Jazeera reported that Serbia's student-led opposition movement held its final pre-election rally in central Belgrade on Oct 22, drawing tens of thousands, while the president held a rival rally at a sports arena in the city the same day. The 'student list' is fielding 250 candidates for the 250-seat parliament, mostly academics and political newcomers campaigning on anti-corruption, aiming to defeat the right-wing populist Serbian Progressive Party, in power for more than 14 years, in Sunday's vote. The protests began nearly two years ago after a renovated railway station canopy in Novi Sad collapsed in 2024, killing 16 people.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Serbian student movement forms 'Student List' to challenge Vučić in Sunday's parliamentary vote
The Guardian reported that Serbia's student protest movement, active for two years, has formed a 'Student List' to field candidates in this Sunday's (Oct 25) parliamentary election, the toughest challenge yet in Aleksandar Vučić's 12 years in power. Student volunteers have been door-knocking in Belgrade suburbs such as Krnjača, logging visits and support levels on a phone app. They hope to echo the defeat six months ago of Vučić ally Viktor Orbán in neighbouring Hungary. Polls vary widely, and several observers say the race could be close.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon