Serbia's EU reform progress questioned amid government-opposition blame game

Serbia's government is asserting a "reform momentum" and a Eurocentric foreign policy, even as international bodies and domestic critics question the pace and sincerity of its progress toward the European Union. Officials recently presented their case in Brussels, highlighting legislative efforts while simultaneously pointing fingers at internal opposition.

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What is unique in Serbia is that you have a so-called pro-European opposition, but believe it or not, this pro-EU opposition has not voted in the National Assembly for a single law related to the EU or reforms.

Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić, speaking at a panel discussion in Brussels, claimed that while Serbia is dedicated to its EU path, the "pro-European opposition" has failed to support key legislation related to EU accession and reforms. "What is unique in Serbia is that you have a so-called pro-European opposition, but believe it or not, this pro-EU opposition has not voted in the National Assembly for a single law related to the EU or reforms," Brnabić stated. She previously described these opposition figures as "lackeys, yes-men, and whiners" for their engagement with European institutions.

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Serbia has largely blocked its own progress more than six months ago with the so-called Mrdić laws, as they halted the entire reform assessment process.

However, opposition figures and political analysts offer a different perspective. Duško Lopandić, a former diplomat and vice president of the Srbija Centar party, argued that Serbia has largely blocked its own progress, citing specific laws that have stalled the reform assessment process. Maja Kovačević, Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences, suggested that while the regime might be capable of implementing reforms, it actively prevents their completion to avoid undermining its own authority. "The rule of law, media freedom, and democratization are at the heart of all this. The regime does not want to allow progress in these areas under any circumstances, as it would erode its power," Kovačević explained.

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The rule of law, media freedom, and democratization are at the heart of all this. The regime does not want to allow progress in these areas under any circumstances, as it would erode its power.

Foreign Minister Marko Đurić reiterated the government's commitment, stating, "Serbia is fully committed to its path to the European Union. This is a key point of our foreign policy. Serbia's foreign policy has become increasingly pro-European, increasingly Eurocentric in recent years." The European Commission's assessment of Serbia's reforms is pending, and recent reports suggest that funds allocated to Serbia from the Growth Plan might be redirected to other Western Balkan countries. A European Commission spokesperson confirmed that a review of implemented reforms is underway, and a final decision on fund allocation has not yet been made.

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Serbia is fully committed to its path to the European Union. This is a key point of our foreign policy. Serbia's foreign policy has become increasingly pro-European, increasingly Eurocentric in recent years.