A draft report by the European Parliament states that Serbia’s progress toward membership in the European Union has effectively stalled in recent years, mainly due to concerns about democracy and the rule of law.
The report, prepared by the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula, notes that Serbia has made little or no measurable progress in fulfilling EU accession criteria across several negotiation chapters.
According to the document, key concerns include the state of democracy, the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime, judicial independence, media freedom, and the reform of public administration.
The report also stresses that Serbia’s EU accession negotiations should advance only on the basis of measurable and sustainable progress in these areas.
Concerns Over Political Tensions and Protests
The draft report raises concerns about the political situation in Serbia, particularly in the context of mass protests that have taken place across the country since November 2024.
These demonstrations, according to the European Parliament, reflect deep dissatisfaction among citizens and students, who are demanding accountability and reforms related to the rule of law.
The report states that the best way to resolve the political crisis in Serbia would be the organization of free and fair elections, with the full implementation of recommendations from ODIHR and a transparent electoral process.
It also expresses concern about the treatment of demonstrators, journalists, and activists during protests, citing reports of excessive police force, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation.
The European Parliament has therefore called for urgent, impartial, and transparent investigations into allegations of disproportionate use of force by authorities.
Judiciary Reforms Raise Alarm
The document strongly criticizes changes to key judicial laws adopted by the Serbian National Assembly on January 28, 2026.
According to the report, these amendments represent a serious step backward for Serbia’s EU accession path, as they risk weakening judicial independence and the autonomy of prosecutors. The European Parliament calls on Serbian authorities to suspend the implementation of the changes and urgently review them.
Banjska Attack and Accountability
The report also highlights security incidents in northern Kosovo, particularly the 2023 attack in Banjska.
The European Parliament expects both Kosovo and Serbia to fully cooperate in bringing those responsible to justice. However, it expresses regret that Serbia has still not prosecuted the perpetrators, especially Milan Radoičić, who is widely linked to the attack.
The report emphasizes that the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia remains a key condition for Serbia’s European integration path.
