Serbian Authorities Target EU Parliament Rapporteur

Tonino Picula, the European Parliament's rapporteur responsible for Serbia's accession progress, is enduring a barrage of criticism and animosity from Serbian government officials and media outlets. This sustained hostility is highly unusual for a rapporteur tasked with guiding a candidate country toward EU membership.

For nearly two years, Picula has been the target of insults and intolerance from the Serbian government and its aligned media. The article notes that no other candidate country has historically engaged in such a conflict with its designated EP rapporteur during its EU accession journey.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's reaction upon hearing of Picula's appointment was notably negative. "They gave us a Croat! Thank you very much. It's not the Croat himself who's the problem, but his positions," Vučić reportedly stated, indicating immediate disapproval based on Picula's perceived stances.

The article suggests that the Serbian authorities' strategy involves attacking Picula, who is described as the most diligent politician within the Social Democratic Party (SDP). It highlights that propaganda efforts in Belgrade have yet to uncover minor past roles, such as a brief appearance as an Italian soldier in a 1979 film, which could be used to further criticize him.

Picula's role involves drafting resolutions on Serbia's progress toward EU membership. The intense opposition he faces from the very government he is meant to work with raises questions about Serbia's commitment to the accession process and its approach to international cooperation.