Serbia's election will determine EU relationship, says EU Parliament member

EU Parliament member Tonino Picula told N1 that the upcoming Serbian parliamentary election will be the main criterion Brussels uses to assess future relations with Belgrade. He criticised President Aleksandar Vučić’s proposal for a joint Western‑Balkans EU accession as an attempt to mask internal weaknesses and noted Serbia’s absence from the recent “Super Tuesday” EU‑expansion summit as evidence of stalled progress. Picula highlighted the European Parliament’s resolution urging the opening of Chapter 3 in accession talks, while the European Commission’s recommendation diverges from the EP’s assessment.

An editorial in Vreme examined the resolution’s implications, calling for the rule of law, a functional media regulator, and alignment of Serbia’s foreign policy with EU standards. It questioned the realism of these reforms and warned that a fragmented opposition could lead to political self‑destruction, underscoring that post‑election reforms are seen as essential for Serbia’s EU path.