S&D MEP Delara Burkhardt has asked the European Commission to outline concrete measures to address electoral irregularities and violence in Serbia's March 2026 local elections, and to clarify how the lack of progress will affect the country's EU accession process. The question, submitted on 21 April 2026, targets the Commission's role in monitoring investigations and enforcing democratic standards.
Burkhardt's written question references concerns raised by civil society, election observers, and international bodies about an uneven playing field and incidents of violence during the 29 March 2026 local elections. She notes that the Commission has publicly acknowledged these issues and called for accountability and reforms.
first, what concrete measures the Commission will take to support and monitor investigations into reported irregularities and violence, and to ensure implementation of electoral reforms within the accession framework. Second, how the Commission will reflect the lack of tangible progress in Serbia's accession process, and what benchmarks will be used to assess whether future elections—including those expected in 2027—meet EU democratic standards.
As a parliamentary question for written answer, the Commission is expected to respond within approximately six weeks. The reply will signal the Commission's policy direction on linking accession progress to democratic reforms in Serbia, particularly regarding electoral integrity. The question reflects ongoing tensions between EU enlargement ambitions and the need for credible reforms in candidate countries, with implications for Serbian civil society, political parties, and EU institutions.
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