After the ouster of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power earlier this year, the world is once again witnessing the benefits of “old school” campaigning. In defeating their own country’s strongmen, Serbia’s new student-led opposition offers important lessons to 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 opinion polls had predicted a close election, the student-led opposition ended up winning by a wide margin. In an election that was not free and fair—due to media arrests, persecution of government opponents, and SNS’s flagrant abuse of state resources—Student List won 53% of the popular vote, which translated into 141 parliamentary seats and an absolute majority. Vučić and his SNS lost 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 opinion polls had predicted a close election, the student-led opposition ended up winning by a wide margin. In an election that was not free and fair—due to media arrests, persecution of government opponents, and SNS’s flagrant abuse of state resources—Student List won 53% of the popular vote, which translated into 141 parliamentary seats and an absolute majority. Vučić and his SNS lost badly, with 38.8% and 103 seats.