Politico: MEPs Slam European Commissioner’s Trip to Serbia Amidst Democratic Concerns

A planned visit by European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner to Serbia has drawn sharp criticism from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who warn it could inadvertently serve as a propaganda victory for the government in Belgrade. The Brussels-based news outlet Politico reported that MEPs view the timing of Brunner's trip, scheduled just weeks after the European Commission debated freezing 1.5 billion euros in EU funds for Serbia over democratic backsliding, as highly problematic.

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there’s a risk that the visit may be used by the regime to project an image of business as usual, which does not reflect the current situation.

Tonino Picula, a Croatian MEP and the European Parliament's lead negotiator on Serbia, expressed concern that Brunner's visit might be exploited by the regime to project an image of 'business as usual,' which he argues does not accurately reflect the current situation in Serbia. This sentiment is echoed by Irena Joveva, a Slovenian MEP, who believes Brunner's trip will likely be 'instrumentalized by the Serbian authorities as a PR tool.' Joveva noted that while Brunner may intend it as diplomacy, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić could leverage such photo opportunities to bolster his domestic narrative as a statesman skillfully navigating global powers.

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While Magnus Brunner might see this as diplomacy and normal relations with a candidate country, Vučić uses these photo-ops to sell a domestic narrative of a master statesman juggling global powers for Serbia’s benefit.

Serbia's path towards EU membership, which began with candidate status in 2012, requires significant reforms in the rule of law and democracy. However, recent developments have raised alarms. The country has experienced anti-government protests following a deadly roof collapse, and clashes between police and protesters have been frequent. Furthermore, the government's push in January to enact laws restructuring courts and altering judicial appointments has been met with strong criticism from NGOs and the EU, with Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos labeling them a 'serious step back.'

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Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called the law changes a “serious step back” and said Brussels could scrap funding for Belgrade unless the legislation is repealed.

Co-chair of the European Green Party, Vula Tsetsi, shared her firsthand observations from recent visits to Belgrade, describing a 'climate of intimidation and police repression of student protests.' She warned that visits by European Commissioners at such a juncture risk sending the wrong message, potentially undermining efforts to promote democratic reforms and respect for fundamental freedoms within Serbia. The criticism highlights a growing disconnect between Brussels' diplomatic engagements and the reality on the ground in Serbia, particularly concerning the state of its democratic institutions.

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Serbia has seen a clear and alarming deterioration of the rule of law, media freedom and freedom of protest. At such a moment, visits by European Commissioners risks [sending] the wrong message.