Russian officials are increasingly worried as pro-Kremlin leaders in Europe suffer election defeats. In Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic lost to a student-led opposition just six months after Viktor Orban's government in Hungary was sidelined.
Reuters reported on October 26 that Vucic's defeat has cast a gloomy atmosphere over Russia. Vucic, who has served as both Prime Minister and President since 2014, has maintained a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Serbia has been a key ally for Russia in Europe, purchasing large quantities of gas from the Russian state energy company Gazprom while pursuing EU membership without joining the EU's sanctions against Russia related to the Ukraine war. The economic, political, and military cooperation between the two countries strengthened during Vucic's tenure.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, expressed hope that the new political forces in Serbia would recognize the mutual benefits of cooperation with Russia. He emphasized that "as you know, tango cannot be danced alone."
It remains uncertain whether Serbia's policy toward Russia will change dramatically. The winning coalition, known as the 'Student List,' pledged before the election to maintain military neutrality and not to participate in sanctions against Russia, while also stating they would not pursue NATO membership.
The 'Student List' is an independent electoral alliance formed by university students and civil society activists who led anti-government protests for two years following the Novi Sad train station collapse in 2024. They fielded candidates with little political experience, including university professors and cultural figures, and secured a majority in the recent elections, ending Vucic's 12-year rule.
Yovo Bakic, a representative of the 'Student List,' stated in an interview with Russian RT on October 26 that Russia is viewed as a major power and historically significant partner. He dismissed claims from Vucic's camp that there would be a significant shift in Serbia's foreign policy after taking office.
Nevertheless, there is widespread speculation within Russian political circles that Serbia will face strong pressure to align with anti-Russian policies as it progresses toward EU membership. The Russian daily Moskovskiy Komsomolets predicted that the new government's actual foreign policy direction would be revealed through its first official decisions rather than its electoral promises.
Currently, Russia classifies Slovakia, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, as a friendly nation among EU member states. Additionally, Russia views the potential rise of far-right politician Marine Le Pen in France, local political turmoil, and the success of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in regional elections as favorable developments. However, Vucic's departure leaves Russia with the challenging task of reassessing its alliances with key partners.
Fyodor Lukyanov, editor of the Russian journal Russia in Global Affairs, noted Hungary's closer ties with the EU following Orban's sidelining and suggested that Serbia might also gradually shift toward a pro-EU stance. He remarked, "There is nothing good to expect for Russia."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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