Addressing Deep Societal Polarisation and Accountability In a speech delivered at the European Parliament, Commissioner Marta Kos reflected on the one-year anniversary of the Novi Sad tragedy, which claimed 16 lives. She highlighted how the incident further intensified societal divisions in Serbia. While protests led mainly by students have persistently called for accountability and transparency, issues such as corruption, media capture, and political impunity were underscored as root causes of public discontent. Kos acknowledged some adherence by Serbian police to freedom of assembly but expressed concerns over incidents of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators and journalists, urging investigations into these matters.
Concrete Steps on Media and Electoral Reforms Kos welcomed recent developments, including progress with Serbia’s law on the unified voter register and the appointment of the regulatory media council (REM). These initiatives, achieved with opposition and civil society input, are presented as tangible moves towards political re-engagement and media oversight reform. Nonetheless, she emphasized the need for full implementation of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations to ensure fair elections. The potential successful election of REM's new council and its effective functioning could symbolize the possibility of constructive cooperation.
The EU Accession Process and Strategic Choice Commissioner Kos outlined the EU’s expectation that Serbia’s democratic values be strengthened as a prerequisite for accession. Concrete reforms in rule of law, electoral fairness, judiciary integrity, and media freedom remain necessary. She called on Serbia to clearly distance itself from close ties with Russia and China and to sustain alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. The recent EU move to ban Russian gas imports by 2028 was clarified not to impede Serbian gas transit but to encourage supply diversification, supported by EU investments.
Stakeholder Impact - Serbian government and authorities face increased pressure to implement measurable democratic reforms and investigate police actions. - Civil society and opposition groups may benefit from improved enabling conditions and inclusion in political processes. - Media sector actors stand to gain from strengthened regulatory oversight but face scrutiny over alignment with democratic norms. - EU institutions and Member States maintain a strategic interest in Serbia’s alignment and stability, balancing engagement with expectations of reform.
Commissioner Kos's speech indicates a policy orientation favoring the deepening of democratic standards and EU alignment in Serbia, emphasizing concrete legal and institutional reforms over vague assurances. This reflects a preference for strengthened rule of law and media regulation, alongside calls for reducing external influences that complicate EU accession prospects.
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