Opposition parties in Serbia are demanding that the European Union impose sanctions on the country’s leadership, including Aleksandar Vučić, Ivica Dačić, and Ana Brnabić. While experts say these requests are realistic, they admit they are not easy to enforce.
Speaking to Danas, Jelica Minić from the European Movement in Serbia explained that the issue has entered the European public debate after the European Parliament’s recent discussion on escalating violence in Serbia.
She noted that even members of the European People’s Party (EPP), who traditionally defended Vučić’s government, have now raised the possibility of sanctions. The announcement by EPP President Manfred Weber that the membership of Serbia’s ruling SNS party could be reconsidered has sent a serious warning signal to Belgrade.
Minić stressed that the first practical step could be the suspension of EU financial support under the new Growth Plan, since Serbia has failed to meet reform commitments. She also pointed to the lack of results in the fight against corruption, shrinking media freedoms, and the absence of electoral reforms as clear arguments for financial and targeted sanctions.
Meanwhile, Srđan Milivojević, leader of the Democratic Party (DS), reminded that his party had already called on the EU to impose personalized sanctions against those responsible for police brutality, repression, and human rights violations. These sanctions, he argued, should include a travel ban to EU countries for regime officials.
Milivojević added that such measures would not target Serbian citizens but rather hold accountable those who undermine democracy and the rule of law. He warned that the regime’s propaganda tries to equate sanctions with punishment for the Serbian people, while in reality, they would be directed only against the ruling elite.
Finally, Milivojević revealed that the Democratic Party is preparing evidence for European officials about police violence at protests in Novi Sad and other cities, urging that responsible police and security officers also be added to the sanctions list. He concluded firmly: “For what we have witnessed, there will be no amnesty.”
