Post-Vucic Serbia Will Reengage with Europe, But It Will Not Be a Honeymoon

On October 25, 2025, Serbian students and the coalition they formed, the Student List, shocked the world by defeating the ruling Serbian Progressive Party in a landslide electoral victory. This ended 14-years of rule by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and its leader Aleksandar Vucic, a period in which the SNS dominated public institutions, the media and national security services.

After the elections, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos declared that “a new chapter can begin for Serbia. The door to the EU is open, and we are ready to move forward together.” Not so fast. The end of the old regime does not mean the EU-Serbia honeymoon can begin, nor does it mean EU membership for Serbia is a slam dunk.

What is realistic to expect in the post-election period? The new government will make goodwill gestures towards Brussels and European capitals. Ilija Srdanovic, first on the Student List, said Serbia remains committed to European integration and that the new government will continue normalisation talks between Belgrade and Pristina, mediated by Brussels.