Public opinion polls reveal persistently low support for Serbia’s ruling authorities, while a strong majority of citizens are calling for political change, according to Raša Nedeljkov, Program Director of the civil society organization CRTA.
Speaking to N1 Belgrade, Nedeljkov said that over 60% of citizens support early parliamentary elections, describing public backing for the current government as “constantly low.” He accused the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of responding to declining legitimacy with pressure, violence, and institutional abuse.
“The only thing that enjoys strong support in Serbia today is support for change,” Nedeljkov said, adding that the government’s behavior represents a return to the authoritarian roots from which the SNS emerged.
International Isolation and Loss of Credibility
Nedeljkov warned that Serbia’s international standing has significantly deteriorated under President Aleksandar Vučić, pointing to growing criticism from European institutions.
He noted that the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Council have all expressed serious concerns about democracy, media freedom, and the rule of law in Serbia. The EU has not approved the opening of new accession clusters, while Brussels continues to urge Belgrade to change its political rhetoric and practices.
“You cannot say one thing behind closed doors in Europe and do the opposite at home,” Nedeljkov stressed, describing the situation as a clear international defeat for the ruling structures.
European Parliament Mission Sparks Tensions
A delegation of the European Parliament (EP) is currently visiting Serbia to assess the political and democratic situation. President Vučić claimed the mission arrived ‘uninvited and unannounced’ and said he would not meet with its members. Similar statements were made by Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić.
However, the European Parliament firmly denied these claims, directly contradicting the Serbian leadership.
Government representatives who will meet the delegation include Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, SNS MP Milenko Jovanov, and SPS MP Dušan Bajatović, while the mission will also meet students, opposition parties, civil society organizations, and independent media.
Calls for EU to Stand Clearly With Serbian Citizens
Nedeljkov said CRTA will use meetings with EU officials to present documented facts about election irregularities, institutional manipulation, and democratic backsliding.
“We will ask EU institutions to stand more decisively with Serbian citizens and to respond more critically to manipulation and, at times, outright lies by state officials,” he said.
He added that CRTA will also appeal to the European People’s Party (EPP) — the political family to which the SNS belongs — to stop shielding the Serbian government and openly support citizens demanding democracy.
Media Pressure and Digital Repression
Nedeljkov also condemned coordinated bot attacks targeting civil society organizations and independent media, including N1, Nova.rs, and Radar.
He described these actions as part of a broader strategy to silence dissent, following street violence, arrests, and systematic exclusion of critical voices from public institutions and state media.
“There is no real pluralism in Serbia. Public broadcasters are inaccessible to anyone who thinks differently,” he warned.
Elections as the Final Verdict
According to Nedeljkov, even a significant portion of SNS voters now supports early elections as the only viable way out of the crisis.
“How citizens truly feel will be shown at the ballot box,” he concluded.
