“As the guardian of the EU treaties and the highest representative of all European citizens, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has a duty to defend the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful protest. It is deeply regrettable that von der Leyen honours Vučić with an official visit without visible reservations, while his regime unlawfully detains students and opposition members and violently represses protesters. This is not a moment for photo opportunities and handshakes, but for courage and moral clarity. The EU must stand up for the rights and freedoms of the Serbian people,” said Vula Tsetsi, Co-chair of the European Green Party.
The tragic collapse of the Novi Sad train station roof on 1 November 2024 killed 16 people and exposed chronic corruption and impunity at the heart of the Vučić’ regime. Nearly a year later, the victims’ families still await justice. Protests demanding accountability have been violently dispersed, while independent journalists continue to face intimidation.
"We Greens firmly believe that the people of Serbia must be allowed to join the EU community if they want so. We also support the legitimate aspirations of its people to live in a free, democratic and just society. The European Commission must use its political weight to push Vučić to free and fair elections in the short term, and a peaceful transition of power if that is the people’s choice. EU accession talks must serve as leverage for democracy, not a reward for repression. If the Commission allows this visit to proceed without clear conditions and outspoken demands for justice, it will be remembered as the moment Europe lost its moral compass, and caved in to another autocrat”, Co-chair Ciarán Cuffe of the European Green Party added.
The European Green Party calls on President von der Leyen to:
- Publicly demand Vučić for full accountability and transparency in the Novi Sad tragedy investigations.
- Condition EU funds and accession steps on tangible progress in judicial independence, media freedom, and election integrity.
- Stand visibly and vocally with the Serbian people who call for fair and free elections, and not with those who silence them. Students and the opposition are for months calling for elections.
