The European Parliament has adopted its annual resolutions on the Western Balkan candidate countries, but Serbia was treated differently from its regional neighbors after Members of the European Parliament called for a separate debate focused specifically on the country’s political and democratic situation. The move reflects growing concern within EU institutions over recent developments in Serbia.
During discussions and in the adopted documents, MEPs stressed that Serbia’s progress toward European Union membership has significantly slowed, while in several key areas there has been noticeable backsliding. Serious concerns were raised regarding the rule of law, judicial independence, media freedom, and the protection of fundamental rights. Lawmakers also urged Serbia to clarify its geopolitical orientation and align its foreign policy more closely with that of the European Union.
The resolution and related amendments highlighted allegations of electoral irregularities, corruption, political pressure on the judiciary, restrictions affecting independent media, and the handling of civic and student protests. MEPs called for transparent investigations into cases that have sparked widespread public concern and condemned any form of pressure, intimidation, or repression against journalists and peaceful demonstrators.
According to the report, Serbia’s future progress toward EU membership will depend on concrete reforms in the areas of rule of law, democratic governance, media freedom, and institutional independence, as well as greater alignment with European policies and values.
While other candidate countries in the region went through the standard resolution-adoption procedure, Serbia’s case was marked by significantly tougher debates and criticism than in previous years, highlighting increasing concern in Brussels over the state of democracy, civil liberties, and reform efforts in the country.
