هذا رمز لأوروبا": شوارع بلغراد تدوي بالفرح بعد هزيمة فوتشيتش

Standing on the streets of Belgrade, as passing cars honked excitedly and revellers high-fived police officers, Sara, 24, gestures to the streets around her to explain how much things had changed for Serbia's student-led movement. Moments earlier, the country's longtime leader, Aleksandar Vučić, had conceded defeat to the student movement, bringing about a seismic political shift in the Balkan country. It was a surreal reversal of fortune for the hundreds of thousands of people who had spent nearly two years peacefully protesting against a ruling power that had become increasingly authoritarian. "It's very strange that on the very streets where the police beat us, on the streets where we retreated countless times in the face of the gendarmerie, we are now standing here as the victors," says Sara. View image in fullscreenSara, 24, centre, celebrates the opposition election win in Belgrade, Serbia, flanked by her friends. Photograph: Ana Milosavljevic/The Guardian When the news sank in, people poured into streets across Serbia to mark the incredible turn of events. In Novi Sad – where the protests had begun in November 2024 after a deadly train station roof collapse – thousands gathered to celebrate after Vučić conceded that the Students' List movement had likely won between 135 and 140 seats in the 250-seat parliament, while his rightwing SNS party had 105, according to preliminary results. In Belgrade, tens of thousands of people flooded the city's main boulevards, chanting euphorically, waving flags and setting off flares against an unrelenting backdrop of honking car horns. "Oh my gosh, I don't know how to explain it," says Tamara, 35. "I'm so happy and excited." Sunday's results would ultimately set Serbia on a path towards "freedom and hope for a better tomorrow," she says. But she was under no illusions that it would come easily. "I know we have a tough period ahead of us, I do," she says. "But even so, it's a huge relief and gives us energy to keep going." View image in fullscreenTamara, left, celebrates in Belgrade with thousands of others following the victory of the Student List movement. Photograph: Ana Milosavljević. The tremendous task of reversing the country's drift towards authoritarianism and deeply entrenched corruption now falls to the list of 250 candidates, which includes more than 160 doctorates as well as a sprinkling of farmers, athletes and others. Adding to the challenge is the fact that the students' policy platform downplayed some of the country's more divisive issues: the question of future EU membership has been left to a referendum, and Kosovo is claimed as an integral part of Serbia. On Sunday, however, many were simply thrilled to celebrate the end of a government that had become known for routinely threatening its critics and chipping away at press freedoms. "The people have won! The people defeated a dictator! The people will lead Serbia!" Nebojsa Cosic told Reuters as people in the street linked arms to dance the traditional Serbian folk dance, Kolo. The crowds were also quick to descend on the central park in Belgrade where Vučić's loyalists had camped out for more than a year, joyfully tearing down the fences and tents that had blocked off access to the park. Duško Suvajac, 52, points to the broader implications as the elections kicked off 10 pivotal days of ballots across the globe in which the authoritarian right is facing off against pro-democracy forces. "This is a symbol for Europe and the world," he says. "It's a demonstration of how freedom can defeat evil." View image in fullscreenDusko Suvajac called the victory 'a symbol for Europe and the world'. Photograph: Ana Milosavljević As he spoke, those around him hugged, kissed, cried and screamed with joy. For many, it was a singular moment to reclaim the same streets where the student-led call for change had been met by police violence.Police used batons, tear gas, and what appeared to be a sound cannon. "It's simply the realization of our dream," says Sara. "We will remember this moment for the rest of our lives."

Frequently Asked Questions
Here are FAQs about the news story This is a symbol for Europe Belgrade streets ring with joy after Vuis defeat

Beginner Questions

1 What happened in Belgrade
A coalition of opposition and studentled groups won local elections in Belgrade defeating the party of President Aleksandar Vui Large crowds celebrated in the streets

2 Who is Aleksandar Vui
He is the President of Serbia and has led the countrys government for over a decade His party and allies had controlled Belgrade for years

3 What does Vuis defeat mean here
It refers to his party losing control of Belgrades city government in the local election not to him losing the presidency

4 Why were people celebrating
Supporters saw the result as a win for democracy and a break from years of oneparty dominance in the capital Many had protested for months before the vote

5 What does This is a symbol for Europe mean
Its a quote from a celebrating citizen It suggests the result is seen as a sign that Serbia is moving toward European democratic values

6 Where did the celebrations take place
In central Belgrade streets where crowds gathered with flags music and cheering after results came in

7 Was the election disputed
Yes There were reports of irregularities and tension during the campaign and the results were closely watched by observers

8 Why does Belgrade matter so much
It is Serbias capital and largest city home to about a quarter of the population and it holds major political and economic power

Intermediate Questions

9 What are the benefits of this result for Serbia
Supporters hope for more transparent local government stronger democratic institutions and closer ties with the European Union

10 What problems could follow
The new city government may face resistance from the national government budget disputes and pressure from Vuis allies who still hold national power

11 What examples show this is a symbol for Europe
Celebrants waved EU flags and commentators linked the vote to Serbias EU accession path and its need for free and fair elections

12 How did the national government respond
Vui and his allies downplayed the loss and questioned some results while opposition leaders called for respect for the voters choice