European Parliament’s (EP) Rapporteur for Serbia, Tonino Picula, said Tuesday at the presentation of his report that reforms in Serbia have significantly slowed down and described the media landscape as terrifying. He also warned that upcoming elections will not be fair without the implementation of recommendations, and pointed to increasing pressure on the academic community and the judiciary.
The policy of turning a blind eye and prioritizing stability as an excuse by certain European actors has not produced results in transforming the country, but has only pushed it further away from membership, Picula told the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET).
He emphasized that Serbia’s reforms have largely slowed down significantly, even backsliding in some segments. According to Picula, the situation has deteriorated further since the adoption of last year’s report.
Picula noted that Serbia’s pace of accession to the European Union (EU) has been stagnating for years, citing a lack of alignment with EU’s foreign and security policy, the stalled dialogue with Kosovo, a lack of sincere will to progress on the European path, deteriorating conditions for media and civil society, and the dismissal of recommendations to improve the electoral process.
He stressed that Serbia must clearly commit to its proclaimed goal of EU membership.
Picula pointed out that Serbia’s electoral legislation has serious shortcomings and that without structural changes and the implementation of ODIHR recommendations, the next elections cannot be considered fair.
The upcoming local elections in ten municipalities serve as yet another example of numerous democratic deficits, Picula said, pointing to the issue of phantom lists and the fact that the Serbian president campaigns in local elections under his own name.
He described the recent changes to judicial laws as an unacceptable leap backward in the accession process and a severe blow to the independence of the judiciary.
Regarding the recent protests in Serbia, Picula condemned the excessive use of force against protesters and arbitrary arrests, and also highlighted the pressure being placed on the academic community.
On the subject of the media, he called the situation terrifying on multiple levels. He condemned the intimidation and attacks on journalists, noting that freedom of expression is under increasing pressure, that pro-government media reflect a cult of personality, and that there are active attempts to eliminate the remaining independent media outlets.
The rapporteur also reiterated the urgent need for the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo.
Source: N1
