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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2025/2917(RSP))

On the polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad tragedy

B-10-2025-0461

on behalf of the ESN Group · Rapporteur: Tomasz Froelich, Petr Bystron, Petar Volgin, Alexander Sell

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This resolution addresses the political situation in Serbia one year after the Novi Sad railway station tragedy, expressing concern about polarisation and repression, and calling for respect of democratic processes and EU restraint. It notes the indictment of former minister Goran Vesić and 12 others, the decline in public support for EU accession, and the rise of BRICS support, and calls for a privileged partnership instead of failed accession negotiations.

Key points

  1. Notes the indictment of former minister Goran Vesić and 12 others for serious crimes against public safety, and calls for respect of the separation of powers.
  2. Affirms that the SNS won the December 2023 elections by a large margin and that the Serbian people made a clear choice.
  3. Recalls that in a democracy, power is transferred through elections and parties must respect outcomes and not incite violent protests.
  4. Calls on the EU to respect the democratic choice of the Serbian people and avoid supporting efforts to overturn a legitimate election result.
  5. Notes the decline in public support for EU accession and the growing traction of BRICS membership in Serbia.
  6. Encourages Serbia to step up the fight against corruption and strengthen the independence of its anti-corruption institutions.
  7. Expresses concern that EU funds pose a corruption risk and that massive EU funds are fostering corruption on a grand scale.
  8. Welcomes Serbia's cooperation with Frontex and its role in fighting illegal migration, crime, and migrant smuggling.
  9. Encourages Serbia to deepen cross-border cooperation with neighbouring countries, especially in road infrastructure.
  10. States that EU accession negotiations are detached from reality and have pushed Serbia toward alternative partners like Russia and China.
  11. Believes that engagement from trusted regional actors is more effective than top-down management by the Commission.
  12. Concludes that EU accession negotiations have failed and proposes a privileged partnership respecting Serbia's sovereignty.

Who is affected

  • Serbia: faces calls to respect democratic processes, fight corruption, and deepen cooperation with neighbours.
  • EU institutions: urged to respect Serbia's democratic choices and consider a privileged partnership instead of accession negotiations.
  • Former Serbian ministers Goran Vesić and Tomislav Momirović and 12 others: face charges of serious crimes against public safety.

Figures and deadlines

  • 16 people died in the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse on 1 November 2024.
  • SNS won 46.7% of the vote in December 2023 elections; SPN gained 23.6%.
  • More than 30 people were arrested during demonstrations after the 2023 elections.
  • Serbia ranked 105th in Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index.
  • EUR 1.586 billion in non-repayable grants and highly concessional loans anticipated for Serbia under the Reform Agenda.
  • EU allocated over EUR 586 million in assistance to Serbia from 2021 to 2024.
  • EU mobilised EUR 6.2 billion in investments in the Western Balkans since 2020.
  • Only 33% of Serbian citizens support EU accession, according to a September 2025 Eurobarometer survey.