MEP: Serbia's Election Law Adoption Is a First Step, But Not Enough

While the European Parliament acknowledges Serbia's recent adoption of certain election laws, the sentiment here is one of cautious optimism tempered by significant reservations. As an MEP from Belgium, I can confirm that while any step towards democratic reform is noted, it is crucial to understand the context: these are merely a fraction of the more than twenty proposals the government needs to fulfill to meet the EU's standards.

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So, it is perhaps the first step. It is the first step, but it is not enough. And I think that should have been the reaction of the Commission, encouragement, because if you are making certain steps, okay, but many more steps have to be taken.

Our reaction, and that of the European Commission, is one of encouragement for the initial progress, but it's vital to stress that this is far from enough. Issues such as media freedom, the pluralism of information, and the proper functioning of regulatory bodies like REM remain critical shortcomings. Without addressing these fundamental aspects, the playing field for elections cannot be considered level, nor can the elections themselves be deemed free and fair.

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You mentioned REM, for example, or media freedom and pluralism. These are essential parts of a fully functioning democracy and a kind of basis for free and fair elections. So, we are not there yet.

From our perspective in Brussels and Strasbourg, the process of legislative change, particularly concerning electoral frameworks, must be inclusive. It requires broad consensus, actively involving the democratic opposition. This collaborative approach ensures that the resulting laws are robust, widely accepted, and genuinely contribute to creating equal conditions for all political actors. Serbia has a long road ahead, and continued pressure will be necessary to ensure these reforms translate into tangible democratic improvements, not just cosmetic adjustments.

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We have to put pressure on this government. And if I may add, what I think is important when you change electoral legislation, which Serbia has to do in order to be able to have free and fair elections, is that you should do that with broad consensus and that you include the democratic opposition and together reach an agreement, a compromise, because organizing elections should be some kind of level playing field for all.

Furthermore, the delay in adopting judicial reforms, which has prevented Serbia from accessing funds from the EU's Growth Plan, underscores the interconnectedness of these reform processes. The European Parliament will maintain a firm stance, advocating for tangible results in exchange for the financial and political support we provide. We cannot disburse funds without seeing concrete progress on the agreed-upon reforms.

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So no, the conditions are not met, absolutely not.