00:00But first, to the stunning outcome of the parliamentary election in Serbia.
00:04The vote was seen as a referendum on President Aleksandar Vucic's political dominance
00:10and the system that had been in place in Serbia for more than a decade.
00:14The vote ended with a crushing defeat for him
00:17and a spectacular breakthrough for a movement that had rapidly transformed itself
00:22into the country's most important political force.
00:25In the new parliament in Belgrade, the student list will have an absolute majority.
00:30Last night, the movement spokesman Radimir Sajcic described the victory as the beginning of a new era.
00:38To discuss the outcome of the election, let's bring in Bojan Vranic,
00:42a political science professor at the University of Belgrade.
00:46Good morning to you.
00:48Good morning and thank you for having me.
00:51So, Vucic controlled much of the political machinery,
00:54enjoyed extensive media influence and had a formidable party organization.
01:00How did the grassroots student movement manage to overcome all that?
01:06Yeah, so this is an extraordinary,
01:10a historical moment in Serbian parliamentary democracy
01:13because this completely changes the political landscape of the country.
01:17It's not just a victory over a hybrid regime's leader.
01:23It is a victory over existing parliamentary opposition.
01:29It is bringing in a new, fresh political elite, new dynamics.
01:35And it all began from, as you said, this grassroots movement
01:39who simply changed the rules of the game.
01:42They stopped being this formal hierarchy party organization
01:50with this old, boring campaign managing.
01:55So, they started a new form of campaign,
02:00more horizontal, more participative.
02:02They included, they gave people a way how to participate.
02:07For example, to donate, to be silenced, to be loud,
02:13to hang with their cars, to support in many other ways.
02:19And this constant mobilization led to historical turnout
02:25that was bigger than 5th October.
02:29Bojan, the student list is projected to win between 135 and 140 seats
02:33in the 250-seat parliament.
02:36But who actually holds power in this movement?
02:38And who will become Serbia's next prime minister?
02:42It is too soon to tell.
02:44There are a few names that emerge.
02:48One you just mentioned, Radomir Sajic.
02:50However, student list, because, as you said,
02:54of the extent media pressure that Vucic was exercising,
02:58student movement had these tactics that the person
03:02who was always in front was more like a punching bag
03:06and a shield to the student movement than an actual leader.
03:12So, we don't really know who will be the actual leader,
03:15but I saw that, I heard that the procedures are such
03:21that we will soon see.
03:24On that note, protesting against the government is one thing,
03:29running a country is quite another.
03:31Are these political newcomers prepared to govern?
03:35They told us last night that they are absolutely prepared.
03:40Judging by their program, we cannot expect any radical
03:45and sudden changes.
03:46And this is very much in line with the traditional
03:50conservative Serbian voters.
03:52So, Serbian voters does not like a radical change.
03:54So, they will vote for someone who will produce continuity,
03:58but with some improvements.
04:00And this is something that we can expect in a short-term period.
04:06I'd like to ask you about the European ramifications of this election.
04:11Now, EU Council President Antonio Costa issued the following statement.
04:15He said, and I quote,
04:17We stand ready to support reforms on the rule of law, media freedom,
04:22the fight against corruption, and strong democratic institutions,
04:25and to work together to build Serbia's future in the European Union.
04:30So, does this election bring Serbia significantly closer to EU membership,
04:36or are we overestimating the pro-European credentials of the student movement?
04:43My analysis showed that, so far, the student movement has been very conservative
04:50when it comes to the European Union.
04:52They aim to, firstly, improve the system within,
04:57and then once they, as they said, become a credible partner in a negotiation,
05:03an equal negotiation process,
05:05then the European Union will be their partner.
05:10So, for now, I would not expect, I would not be overly enthusiastic
05:16that something, that a miracle, a miracle breakthrough in European integration will occur.
05:23Okay.
05:24Serbia has long tried to balance its relations with Brussels, Moscow, and Beijing.
05:29Will the new leadership fundamentally change Serbia's foreign policy,
05:33particularly in relationship with Russia and its position on Kosovo?
05:37So, if you look at the program, no.
05:40So, it will remain as it was.
05:42If you look at the members of the student list where it's very heterogenic.
05:49So, there are some individuals, very influential individuals,
05:54who are very pro-European, that want a complete regional reconfiguration
06:01of the interstate relations.
06:04Then again, there are those who want even more sovereignty in the Serbian politics.
06:13Which current will win?
06:15It is to be seen in following months.
