Following the ouster of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power earlier this year, the world has once again witnessed the merits of “old-school” campaigning. In toppling their own country’s strongman, Serbia’s new student-led opposition offers important lessons for those defending democracy elsewhere.
VIENNA—After 14 years of authoritarian rule, Aleksandar Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have been ousted from power. Although polls had predicted a close election, the student-led opposition ultimately won by a wide margin. In an election that was neither free nor fair—owing to media capture, violence against the government’s opponents, and the SNS’s blatant misuse of state resources—the Student List won 53% of the popular vote, which translated into 141 parliamentary seats and an absolute majority. Vučić and his SNS trailed badly, with 38.8% and 103 seats.
VIENNA—After 14 years of authoritarian rule, Aleksandar Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have been ousted from power. Although polls had predicted a close election, the student-led opposition ultimately won by a wide margin. In an election that was neither free nor fair—owing to media capture, violence against the government’s opponents, and the SNS’s blatant misuse of state resources—the Student List won 53% of the popular vote, which translated into 141 parliamentary seats and an absolute majority. Vučić and his SNS trailed badly, with 38.8% and 103 seats.