Serbia’s long-dominant leader Aleksandar Vucic has conceded defeat in a historic election to the “Student List,” a political coalition backed by a student-led protest movement, marking a potential turning point in the Balkan country’s political landscape.

Vucic had dominated Serbian politics as either president or prime minister since 2014. However, an 18-month-long student-led protest movement against alleged widespread corruption and growing authoritarianism challenged his grip on power.

According to the report, Vucic was forced to resign as president in September this year amid mounting pressure and called an early parliamentary election.

Speaking on television after the results began to emerge on Sunday, Vucic said, “It is clear that we have lost the election and that the Student List has won.”

Shortly after his announcement, thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, Belgrade, to celebrate. Crowds danced in the streets, while students chanted “Victory” and “His time is over.”

Reuters reported that the student-backed coalition’s victory signals a major political shift in Serbia, a country of around six million people. The development has drawn comparisons with the defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in April.

According to preliminary figures cited by Vucic, the Student List could secure between 135 and 140 seats in Serbia’s 250-member parliament, while his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) could win 105 seats.

Radomir Saicic, a professor at the University of Belgrade, said, “Dear Serbia, tonight the voice of the people has been heard. Tonight we celebrate victory; tomorrow we build the future.”

European Union leaders and officials have congratulated the Student List on its reported electoral victory.