Serbia in shock after the election: "Be ecstatic"

Early Monday morning, the citizens of Belgrade go to work, after a night that many spent out on the streets, in cafes and with friends. The fireworks took place, the cars honked hysterically and people poured into the city.

- I was sitting in a cafe when someone shouted "we won". I just ran out and cried, for two years we have been fighting for justice now, says 21-year-old student Adriana.

She went to bed at three in the morning but is radiantly happy, on her way to work.

- There were people everywhere and in all the cars, nobody was tired. People have never been so happy here. And it has happened completely without violence. We didn't burn anything like I've seen them do at other protests in Europe. We just cheered and sang.

For the first time, she didn't feel afraid in the crowd either.

- The police have beaten us at all the protests, but now they just stood there. I am so happy and proud of us.

Outside the parliament building, the cars are persistently honking even early Monday morning. People stick their clenched fists out the windows, and on the sidewalk people respond with shouts of encouragement and gestures of victory.

67.8 percent of the population voted, according to the independent election observation organization CRTA, which is unusually high. In connection with Vucic admitting defeat in the election, he estimated that the youth-supported "Student List" will get between 135 and 140 seats, while his own party, SNS, is expected to get around 105, according to AP.

- I was shocked, I didn't think he would resign. This has been going on for a long time, ten years. The first big demonstration against him was in 2016, says Tamara Zivkovic, who celebrated from her balcony as the children were asleep.

Her husband Nikola Zivkovic, on the other hand, ran out into the streets around the parliament area. Demolished picket fences and rubble lie on the ground. The statues are draped in Serbian flags.

- We took back the park that they have kept closed for a year, he says and adds:

- There were very strong feelings.

Some still allow themselves a "we'll see" in the euphoria, on the question of whether Studentlistan will overcome the corruption. But Nikola Zivkovic thinks that recent times are an awakening for the Serbs.

- We have to organize ourselves from the bottom up. The local community is the only institution that has worked. So I hope it continues like that, he says.

Even Katerina Pavlovic and Maraja have had enough of "strong leaders".

- I said that if Vucic won, I would leave Serbia forever, so we are so happy now, says Katerina Pavlovic.