Vula Tsetsi, Co-Chair of the EGP, said:
“For two years, students and citizens across Serbia have stood up for accountability, democracy and a future free from corruption. Our member party, the Green-Left Front (ZLF), supports the “Student List - Studenti pobeđuju”, and we stand alongside those demanding democratic change. Serbia’s future must be decided by its people, through elections they can trust.”
“The EU cannot simply express concern while very serious questions about electoral integrity remain unresolved. Only free and fair elections can put Serbia’s European future on a credible path. The EU must ensure independent scrutiny and follow up on the findings of international observers. The European People’s Party must also finally conclude its scrutiny of Vučić’s SNS and make its conclusions public. The EU must demand democratic standards from Serbia. And Europe’s own political families must be held to the same standards.”
Ciarán Cuffe, Co-Chair of the European Green Party, added:
“People in Serbia have shown they want to live in a just society where institutions are accountable to the citizens. Despite repression and intimidation, students and citizens have continued to mobilise for democratic change. For the European Greens, Serbia’s future lies in the European Union. The European Union must use its influence to support democracy and the rule of law in Serbia, so that allegations of electoral irregularities are investigated transparently.”
Background
Manipulations of the voter register that were previously condemned by the European Parliament continue to be an issue, intimidation of journalists, state-sponsored spyware, and new rules that make it harder for Serbian citizens in the diaspora to vote, by forcing some to travel long distances to cast their ballots have been reported by civil society and media.
The student-led protests began after the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad railway station roof in November 2024, triggering demands for accountability and an end to corruption and impunity.
EGP member party, the Green-Left Front (ZLF), is not participating in this election but is supporting the Students List "Studenti pobeđuju" as the most effective means of effecting a change of government, paving the way for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law, and securing Serbia's future in Europe.
The leaders of Belgian Green party Groen, Aimen Horch and Lien Arits are visiting Belgrade from 20 to 22 October.
