Over the past six months, Serbia has witnessed an unprecedented wave of anti-government protests, ignited by a tragic incident in November 2024 when a canopy collapse at a recently reconstructed railway station in the country’s second-largest city of Novi Sad resulted in 16 fatalities.
This catastrophe, attributed to systemic corruption and negligence, galvanised citizens across the nation to demand accountability, transparency and democratic reforms.
Despite the scale and persistence of these demonstrations, the European Union’s response has been notably muted. While EU officials have occasionally acknowledged the protests, substantive support or condemnation of the Serbian government’s actions has been lacking.
Concerns Grow Over Democratic Erosion
Serbia voted in a new centre-right government in 2012, led by a party largely composed of former far-right ultra-nationalists. The incoming leadership pledged to turn a new page, distancing itself from past rhetoric and identifying European Union integration as the country’s primary strategic objective.
Serbia made progress on its path towards EU membership; Belgrade secured candidate status and launched accession negotiations.
In recent years, the EU has deepened cooperation with Serbia through various joint economic agreements, as well as efforts on migration and border management.
Serbia’s growing importance as a supplier of critical raw materials, particularly lithium, vital to the EU’s green transition, further strengthened the partnership.
However, over the past decade, observers pointed to the increasing centralisation of power, weakening of independent institutions, political pressure on the media, and lack of transparency in electoral processes.
While Serbia remains a formal democracy, watchdog organisations have warned that key democratic standards are being undermined, raising questions about the country’s long-term political trajectory and commitment to European integration.
The governing coalition has maintained a strong hold on power for more than a decade, marking the longest uninterrupted rule by the same parties in Serbia since the end of communism in 1990.
EU Turns Blind Eye: Economic Interests
The European Union prioritised geopolitical and economic interests over democratic principles in Serbia, eroding its credibility in the Balkan nation.
Appetite for joining the EU is at record lows in the country, according to the latest opinion polls.
Amid widespread anti-government protests led by university students nationwide, the EU formalised Serbia’s entry into the Single Euro Payments Area with an agreement adopted in May.
The silence in the face of Serbia’s ongoing issues has sent a troubling message to both Serbian citizens and others aspiring EU members.
Some voices within the EU stressed the need to reassess the bloc’s approach, arguing that support for democratic movements and government accountability should not be conditional on strategic interests.
Other critics argue that the current status quo benefits the EU, where enthusiasm for enlargement remains limited. By appeasing the Serbian government, the EU is able to safeguard its strategic interests without advancing immediate accession.
The EU must strike a balance between its geopolitical interests and its commitment to supporting democratic aspirations in neighbouring countries. Failing to do so risks undermining its credibility as a promoter of democratic values and weakening its influence in the region.
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