On 30 June 2026, the European Parliament's ESN Group tabled three amendments to the draft report on Serbia's 2025 EU progress, seeking to shift the narrative from conditional criticism to respect for Serbian sovereignty and democratic choices. The amendments, authored by MEPs Tomasz Froelich and Marcin Sypniewski, challenge the draft's critical stance on Serbia's government and propose a more deferential approach to Belgrade's domestic decisions.
The amendments target three key areas. Amendment 5 introduces a new paragraph citing a Eurobarometer survey showing only 33% support for EU accession and 38% negative views of the EU, arguing that Serbian public opinion is deeply split and questioning the mandate for rapid integration. Amendment 6 inserts a paragraph asserting that the Serbian people made a clear choice in the December 2023 parliamentary elections and calls on the EU to respect that democratic choice, effectively countering any narrative of flawed elections. Amendment 7 broadens the call for investigations into protests, adding violence against police and destruction of public property alongside alleged state violence against demonstrators, aiming for a balanced accountability for all parties.
The amendments, still to be examined and voted in committee and plenary, represent a significant departure from the draft report's approach. If adopted, they would soften the Parliament's critical tone toward Serbia's government, potentially affecting the EU's leverage in accession negotiations. The ESN Group's proposals highlight a cleavage between those prioritizing democratic conditionality and those advocating for respect of national sovereignty and electoral outcomes. Stakeholders impacted include the Serbian government, which would benefit from reduced EU pressure; EU institutions, whose credibility in enforcing accession criteria could be undermined; and Serbian civil society, which may see less EU support for democratic reforms. The amendments also risk alienating pro-EU Serbian citizens, who may feel their aspirations are sidelined. The report, steered by rapporteur Tonino Picula, is expected to proceed to a plenary vote later in 2026, where the amendments' fate will be decided.