Ursula von der Leyen, Belgrade, Oct. 15 2025 (BETAPHOTO/MILAN ILIC)
The European Green Party urged European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen on Oct. 15 to condition EU funding for Serbia and advancement in the accession process by tangible progress in judicial independence, media freedom and election integrity.
In the announcement the party published ahead of her meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the Greens urged Von der Leyen to publicly demand full accountability and transparency from Vucic in the investigations of the tragedy in Novi Sad. The EC president was also urged to “stand visibly and vocally with the Serbian people who call for free and fair elections, and not with those who silence them” and reminded that the students and the opposition had been calling for elections in Serbia for months now.
In the announcement, the European Greens pointed out that, “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 honors Vucic 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,” stated Vula Tsetsi, the co-chairperson of the European Green Party, adding that Von der Leyen’s visit to Vucic was sending a wrong signal.
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