EPP’s complicit silence fuels Vučić’s authoritarian drift, warn S&Ds

The Socialists and Democrats are sounding the alarm over the rapidly deteriorating political crisis in Serbia, calling out the European People's Party (EPP) for its complicit silence and persistent appeasement of their political family member, Serbia's strongman Aleksandar Vučić.

After thirteen years of Vučić's rule, Serbia is trapped in protests, police violence, and media witch-hunts. Serbia's president has also openly insulted the European Parliament and European democracy, calling the Greens and liberals "the worst European scum".

The S&Ds, who requested today's plenary debate on Serbia, condemn the unacceptable police violence, media crackdown, and slander against the Greens and Renew. At the same time, the Group urges the European Commission, EU member states, and particularly the EPP, to stop appeasing Vučić and to stand with those demanding justice and democracy. In this context, it is time to apply the same approach to Serbia as to Georgia, and to freeze accession negotiations.

Kathleen Van Brempt, S&D vice-president for EU enlargement, said:

"Parading with Putin in Moscow. Unleashing waves of violence against the people of Serbia who are demanding justice and democracy. Slandering European Parliamentarians. Vučić is organising a violent crackdown on human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Serbia. Crossing one red line after another and resorting to desperate acts of slander.

"We have said it time and again: there is no room for business as usual. We urge the European Commission to stop the appeasement of the Vučić regime, freeze accession negotiations until Serbia reverses its authoritarian course, and partially suspend visa-free travel for Serbian diplomats and officials in response to violence against peaceful protesters. Our support belongs to the people fighting for European values. Not to the autocrats who trample them.

"The von der Leyen Commission's responsibility is to defend the interests of Europe and uphold European values, not to shield the European People's Party. Europe cannot afford to ignore growing destabilisation in an accession country, where a leader copies Putin's playbook, simply because his party belongs to the EPP. Have they really learned nothing from Orbán?"

Tonino Picula, S&D MEP and European Parliament's rapporteur on Serbia, added:

"The situation in Serbia is deteriorating rapidly. Ongoing violence against protesters is eroding the remnants of democracy, while repression of journalists risks creating a complete information blackout. We call for an independent investigation into unacceptable police violence and attacks on journalists, an end to political interference in media work, and direct EU support to safeguard journalists' safety and media freedom.

"We have said it repeatedly: the EU must end its appeasement of Vučić. Furthermore, the regime in Belgrade is jeopardising the enlargement process in the region due to its malign influence on neighbouring Western Balkan countries. The European Commission and EU member states must finally face reality: Vučić is Putin's ally, one of his Trojan horses - just like Orbán. History has shown that such an approach is ineffective - and dangerous. The EU appeased Putin for too long, and we are now all paying the price. We must not repeat that same mistake."