Member of the European Parliament Andreas Schieder has issued a stern warning to Belgrade, stating that Serbia must adopt and implement all recommendations from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) before the next elections, or the European Union may move to freeze all financial support.
Speaking to the Beta news agency on April 27, 2026, Schieder, who was a member of the 2023 European Parliament election observation mission, emphasized that the time for mere diplomatic statements is over.
€1.5 Billion in Accession Funds at Stake
Schieder confirmed that Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has already called into question approximately €1.5 billion from the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. This funding is strictly contingent on Serbia reversing its current trend of “democratic backsliding.”
- Audit of Reforms: Commissioner Kos is currently assessing whether Serbia still meets the basic criteria for Growth Plan payments, citing a lack of progress in media freedom and electoral conditions.
- The Financial Red Line: “If Serbia continues down this path, it should no longer be able to utilize EU funds,” Schieder stated, noting that the EU cannot continue to subsidize a government that consistently takes steps backward.
Geopolitical Isolation: The Fall of Orbán and the Shadow of Putin
The Austrian MEP highlighted that President Aleksandar Vučić is becoming increasingly isolated on the European stage.
- The Loss of Hungary’s Shield: With the recent fall of Viktor Orbán from power in Hungary, Vučić has lost his most significant ally—a leader who previously diluted EU criticism of Belgrade.
- The Russian Connection: Schieder criticized Vučić for behaving like Vladimir Putin’s “closest friend and ally” in the Western Balkans, arguing that such a stance is radically incompatible with Serbia’s stated goal of European integration.
Prioritizing Media and Public Health
Schieder reiterated that restoring media freedom and transparency is non-negotiable, calling for the immediate implementation of both ODIHR and Venice Commission recommendations.
However, he noted that if Serbia were to radically change course and secure its EU path, the priority for European investment should shift toward the healthcare sector, which he identified as the most critical area for improving the daily lives of Serbian citizens.
“Mere statements no longer impress anyone. Serbia must radically change its course and return to the European path through concrete action.” — Andreas Schieder, MEP
