27 October 2026
Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in Serbia's early parliamentary election, saying "It is clear that we have lost these elections." His Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) had governed Serbia since 2012. Vucic resigned as President of Serbia in September and led the "United Serbia" list as its candidate for Prime Minister, while Djuro Macut was Serbia's Prime Minister going into the election. About 6.5 million voters were eligible and 18 electoral lists contested the poll. A majority in the 250-seat National Assembly needs 126 seats. The winning Student List grew out of the anti-corruption protest movement, and the cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic was its top candidate.
Seats needed for a majority:
126
Eligible voters:
About 6.5 million
Electoral lists in the contest:
18
Why it matters for exams: SNS stands for the Serbian Progressive Party; Serbia's head of government is the Prime Minister, and 126 of the 250 National Assembly seats make a majority.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SNS Serbian Progressive Party — The party that had held power in Serbia since 2012 and led the United Serbia list.
27 October 2026
Turnout in Serbia's early parliamentary election stood at 64.89 per cent at 18:00 on polling day. The figure was announced at a press conference at the Republic Electoral Commission by Branko Josipovic, acting director of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, which compiles turnout data for the commission. The Statistical Office is Serbia's national statistical authority and also publishes the country's consumer price, labour market and national accounts figures.
Turnout at 18:00:
64.89 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Serbia's national statistical authority is the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, which compiles turnout data for the Republic Electoral Commission.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
27 October 2026
The Executive Board of the National Bank of Serbia met on 8 October 2026 and kept the key policy rate unchanged at 5.75 per cent. The board's next rate-setting meeting is scheduled for 12 November 2026. The National Bank of Serbia is the country's central bank and issues the Serbian dinar, which is Serbia's currency. Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership but is not in the euro area, so its monetary policy is set in Belgrade and not by the European Central Bank.
Key policy rate:
5.75 per cent
Next rate meeting:
12 November 2026
Why it matters for exams: Serbia's central bank is the National Bank of Serbia, its currency is the Serbian dinar, and the policy rate is decided by the bank's Executive Board.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
NBS National Bank of Serbia — Serbia's central bank, which sets the key policy rate and issues the dinar.
27 October 2026
Serbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs held bilateral political consultations in Belgrade. The Serbian delegation was led by Ambassador Tamara Rastovac Siamashvili, Acting Assistant Minister for Bilateral Cooperation, and the Swiss delegation by Ambassador Pierre-Yves Fux, Head of the Eurasia Division. The year marks the 110th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two sides noted the Swiss-Serbian Innovation Programme for 2026-2030, signed in Belgrade during the Swiss President's visit, and discussed Switzerland's participation in the Specialised Expo 2027 in Belgrade. Switzerland currently chairs the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Anniversary of diplomatic relations:
110th
Innovation programme period:
2026-2030
Why it matters for exams: Switzerland holds the chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Specialised Expo 2027 is to be held in Belgrade.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
OSCE Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe — A regional security organisation whose chair rotates among its participating States each year.
27 October 2026
The EU-Western Balkans Political Directors' Meeting on the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy was held in Tirana. It was opened by Ferit Hoxha, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, and brought together representatives of the Western Balkans and of the European External Action Service. Serbia was represented by Nevena Jovanovic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who said full membership of the European Union remains a strategic priority for Serbia. The meeting discussed foreign and security policy, regional cooperation and adherence to international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Venue:
Tirana
Why it matters for exams: CFSP stands for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the EEAS is the European External Action Service, and Tirana is the capital of Albania.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CFSP Common Foreign and Security Policy — The European Union's framework for joint action on foreign affairs and security.
EEAS European External Action Service — The diplomatic service of the European Union.
27 October 2026
The Republic Electoral Commission determined the preliminary results of Serbia's early parliamentary election from 8.187 polling stations. Студентска листа, the Student List, won 2.267.615 votes, or 52,71 per cent, and 140 seats. The list "Александар Вучић - Уједињена Србија", Aleksandar Vucic - United Serbia, won 1.685.022 votes, or 39,17 per cent, and 104 seats. The Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians and the Albanian Coalition took two seats each, and the lists of Rasim Ljajic and of the SDA of Sandzak one each. The list of Ivica Dacic polled 2,17 per cent and won no seat, staying below the three per cent threshold that applies to lists other than those of national minorities. Serbia's National Assembly is a single chamber elected from one nationwide constituency.
Student List votes:
2.267.615
Student List vote share:
52,71 per cent
Student List seats:
140
United Serbia seats:
104
Polling stations counted:
8.187
Why it matters for exams: Serbia's parliament is the single-chamber National Assembly, elected from one nationwide constituency, and elections are conducted by the Republic Electoral Commission.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
RIK Republic Electoral Commission — The body that conducts and declares the results of national elections in Serbia.
27 October 2026
Serbia went into its parliamentary election with an acting head of state. Aleksandar Vucic resigned as President of Serbia in September, before the end of his second and final five-year term, and Ana Brnabic, Speaker of the National Assembly, took over presidential duties in an acting capacity until a presidential election is held. Brnabic was Serbia's Prime Minister until 2024 before becoming Speaker. The President of Serbia is elected directly for a five-year term and may not hold the office for more than two terms.
Presidential term:
Five years
Term limit:
Two terms
Why it matters for exams: In Serbia the Speaker of the National Assembly performs the duties of President when the office falls vacant, and the presidential term is five years with a two-term limit.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 October 2026
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union stands ready to support reforms in Serbia, including the rule of law, media freedom and the fight against corruption. Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, said a new chapter can begin for Serbia. Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, welcomed the acceptance of the result and praised the student movement's commitment to European principles. The Council of Europe is a separate human rights organisation based in Strasbourg and is not an institution of the European Union. Serbia is a member of the Council of Europe and a candidate for European Union membership.
Council of Europe headquarters:
Strasbourg
Why it matters for exams: Ursula von der Leyen heads the European Commission, Marta Kos holds the enlargement portfolio, and the Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, is distinct from the European Union.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Council of Europe Council of Europe — A human rights body of 46 states based in Strasbourg, separate from the European Union.
Background
Because Serbia took part this week in a meeting on the European Union's foreign and security policy, its position on military alliances is worth noting. Serbia joined NATO's Partnership for Peace programme in 2006 and also joined the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. NATO says it fully respects Serbia's policy of military neutrality, and that unlike other Western Balkan partners Serbia does not aspire to join the Alliance. A NATO Military Liaison Office was established in Belgrade in December 2006. Serbia adopted its first two-year Individual Partnership Action Plan in 2015 and is moving to an Individually Tailored Partnership Programme.
Joined Partnership for Peace:
2006
NATO Military Liaison Office, Belgrade:
Established December 2006
Why it matters for exams: Serbia is not a NATO member: it joined the Partnership for Peace in 2006, follows a policy of military neutrality and does not seek membership of the Alliance.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
PfP Partnership for Peace — A NATO programme of practical cooperation with partner countries that are not members.
ITPP Individually Tailored Partnership Programme — The framework replacing NATO's earlier partnership action plans.
Background
Because the European Commission and the Council of Europe have spoken this week about the next stage of Serbia's reforms, the accession record is worth setting out. Serbia applied for EU membership on 22-12-2009. The EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement was signed on 29-04-2008 in Luxembourg and entered into force on 01-09-2013. In March 2012 Serbia was granted EU candidate status. The first Intergovernmental Conference, held on 21 January 2014, marked the formal start of Serbia's accession negotiations. Of the 35 negotiating chapters, 22 have been opened and two of them provisionally closed.
Membership application:
22-12-2009
Candidate status:
March 2012
Negotiations opened:
21 January 2014
Chapters opened:
22 out of 35
Why it matters for exams: Serbia was granted EU candidate status in March 2012 and its accession negotiations formally began with the first Intergovernmental Conference on 21 January 2014; 22 of the 35 chapters have been opened.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SAA Stabilisation and Association Agreement — The treaty that frames relations between the European Union and a Western Balkan state before accession.