Serbian Opposition Claims EU Report Confirms Vučić Hinders Bloc Access

Serbia's opposition Democratic Party (DS) has sharply criticized the European Parliament's latest report on the country, asserting that it confirms President Aleksandar Vučić is steering Serbia away from the European Union.

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A country in which institutions are captured, the judiciary is humiliated, the media are turned into a propaganda machine for the mafia, and citizens, students, and journalists are exposed to pressure and violence, cannot receive a different report.

The DS described the report, adopted by the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee, as "even more devastating" than a previous one. The party argued that a nation plagued by "captured institutions, a humiliated judiciary, media turned into a propaganda machine for the mafia, and citizens, students, and journalists exposed to pressure and violence" cannot expect a different assessment.

The DS holds Vučić primarily responsible for this situation, stating, "Serbia has never been further from Europe, not because the citizens of Serbia do not want Europe, but because Vučić cannot go to Europe." The party emphasized that Europe adheres to rules, institutions, accountability, and a functioning prosecution, elements they claim Vučić avoids.

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Serbia has never been further from Europe, not because the citizens of Serbia do not want Europe, but because Vučić cannot go to Europe.

The EP's Foreign Affairs Committee adopted the report, with rapporteur Tonino Picula noting that reforms linked to EU accession have significantly slowed or regressed, particularly in the rule of law and democracy. The report passed with 51 votes in favor, 14 against, and 10 abstentions.

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In Europe, there are rules, institutions, responsibility, and a prosecution, and Vučić is running away from all of that.