EU Welcomes Student List Victory in Serbia’s Parliamentary Elections
World
European Union leaders have welcomed the Student List’s victory in Serbia’s parliamentary elections, offering support for democratic reforms and the country’s efforts to join the bloc. The result creates an opportunity to reset relations between Belgrade and Brussels after 12 years of Aleksandar Vučić’s political dominance.
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European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated the student-led movement and said the EU was ready to support Serbia’s reform agenda. In a joint statement, they highlighted the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption and stronger democratic institutions as key priorities. They said cooperation could help bring Serbia closer to its European future.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos also welcomed the outcome. She said that after nearly two years of demonstrations in support of democracy, the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts, Serbian voters had turned out in large numbers. Kos described the result as an opportunity for the country to open a new chapter and said the EU was prepared to move forward with Belgrade.
The Student List’s victory represents a major setback for Vučić’s political camp. Preliminary results showed the movement securing a parliamentary majority. Vučić conceded defeat, while turnout reached 68.78%, according to Serbia’s electoral commission.
Relations between Belgrade and the EU have been strained in recent years. Serbia’s accession negotiations have stalled, partly because the country has declined to join European sanctions against Russia and because of concerns over the rule of law. In July, an attempt to open a new cluster of accession negotiations was blocked by eight EU member states.
Tensions were further heightened by the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, which was held with military honours and attended by senior Serbian officials.
The European Parliament’s rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula, said the country needed the rule of law, reforms and institutions that serve all citizens. However, the direction of Serbia’s next government remains uncertain. The election result has raised hopes in Brussels, but it does not in itself guarantee faster progress towards EU membership.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos also welcomed the outcome. She said that after nearly two years of demonstrations in support of democracy, the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts, Serbian voters had turned out in large numbers. Kos described the result as an opportunity for the country to open a new chapter and said the EU was prepared to move forward with Belgrade.
The Student List’s victory represents a major setback for Vučić’s political camp. Preliminary results showed the movement securing a parliamentary majority. Vučić conceded defeat, while turnout reached 68.78%, according to Serbia’s electoral commission.
Relations between Belgrade and the EU have been strained in recent years. Serbia’s accession negotiations have stalled, partly because the country has declined to join European sanctions against Russia and because of concerns over the rule of law. In July, an attempt to open a new cluster of accession negotiations was blocked by eight EU member states.
Tensions were further heightened by the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, which was held with military honours and attended by senior Serbian officials.
The European Parliament’s rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula, said the country needed the rule of law, reforms and institutions that serve all citizens. However, the direction of Serbia’s next government remains uncertain. The election result has raised hopes in Brussels, but it does not in itself guarantee faster progress towards EU membership.
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