DOMINANT ANGLE
Stockholm is witnessing the fall of a strongman: the Swedish press is portraying Vučić's defeat as the end of fourteen years of power, torn away by a student movement with no political past.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Vučić and the SNS acknowledged their defeat shortly after 21:30 Swedish time, according to Aftonbladet, after polling stations closed at 20:00.
- 02
An Ipsos/CeSID projection, cited by The Guardian, gives 52% to the Student List and 39.3% to the SNS, or 138 seats.
- 03
Sveriges Radio describes an uneven campaign, with Vučić controlling major TV channels and newspapers, and mentions Pegasus, which the government denies.
ANALYSIS
Stockholm, October 26, 2026. The Swedish press is reporting on Aleksandar Vučić's defeat as a turning point after fourteen years of power. Aftonbladet headlines a "crushing victory" ("Jordskredsseger") and details the outcome: polling stations closed at 8 pm Swedish time, and shortly after 9:30 pm, the leader and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) conceded their defeat. "We do not yet have the final results, but based on a sample, it is clear that we have lost the election," Vučić says, as quoted by the daily, which recalls that he has been leading the country since 2012.
The same article cites a projection by Ipsos/CeSID relayed by The Guardian: 52% for the Student List against 39.3% for the SNS, which translates to 138 seats, twelve more than the absolute majority. Aftonbladet also quotes Reuters on the highest voter turnout in 34 years. Dagens Nyheter, in a shorter article behind its paywall, notes that Vučić and his party "acknowledge their defeat" to the opposition movement from the streets, and talks about a power lost to the student mobilization.
Sveriges Radio had set the stage on election day. The public service described the legislative elections after two years of protests, where the Student List had a chance to win, but in an "unequal" campaign since Vučić controls important television channels and newspapers. It reported that several students had discovered the Pegasus spy software on their phones, which the government denies. Politologist Jelisaveta Blagojević explained that Vučić still has support among public officials, while the Student List's supporters want change.
The origin of the movement is briefly recalled: sixteen people died when the roof of a renovated train station in Novi Sad collapsed two years ago, which sparked protests against the government. The Student List, led by students without political experience, wants to reform the country and accuses the authorities of corruption.
The European dimension appears through a single voice: the EU ambassador to Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, said on X that he is "deeply concerned" about violent incidents reported in several polling stations, calling for voting in a "peaceful and safe" climate. The lines were long, notes Aftonbladet. The Swedish account remains focused on Serbian domestic politics: the fall of a strongman, the solidity of the victory, and the fairness of the election.
