Sandro Gozi

Reports from Belgrade point to renewed attempts to provoke violence and discredit Serbia’s student movement, amid growing tensions around peaceful democratic mobilisation in the country. “Attempts to provoke violence and discredit Serbia’s student movement are unacceptable. Peaceful democratic mobilisation must never be met with intimidation or manipulation. The European Democratic Party stands firmly with the students and all those peacefully defending democracy, accountability, media freedom and the rule of law. Violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society. The Serbian authorities have a responsibility to prevent escalation, guarantee fundamental freedoms and respect the legitimate aspirations of their citizens. Serbia’s democratic future must be determined by its people, free from fear, manipulation and provocation. Europe must stand unequivocally on their side.” ✍️ @sandrogozi , Secretary General of the European Democratic Party

📢Statement by the European Movement in Serbia on the Parliamentary Elections Held on 25 October 2026 The European Movement in Serbia congratulates the Students’ List on its decisive electoral victory and expresses its profound respect for the citizens who turned out to vote in exceptionally large numbers, making it clear that they will no longer tolerate corruption, captured institutions, political pressure and a lack of accountability. Their democratic choice marks a historic turning point for Serbia and must be fully respected, while a peaceful and lawful transfer of power must be ensured without delay. The new parliamentary majority and incoming government face the immense responsibility of rebuilding institutions, restoring the rule of law and public trust in the state. Particular recognition is due to the students and young people who, through their courage, perseverance and dignity over the past two years, mobilised society and restored faith in the possibility of change. Standing alongside them, despite pressure, threats and violence, were citizens of all generations, university professors, teachers, workers, farmers, independent media, civil society organisations and all those who defended the public interest. An exceptional contribution was also made by Serbian citizens living abroad, who organised themselves, demanded the opening of additional polling stations and fought to exercise their right to vote, demonstrating that responsibility for Serbia’s future does not end at its borders. What makes this change particularly significant is that fourteen years of corrupt rule have been brought to an end through democratic means, following a sustained, non-violent civic struggle for freedom, justice, human dignity and the rule of law. It was precisely in recognition of their defence of these values that the European Movement in Serbia and European Movement International presented the Students in Blockades with the traditional “Contribution of the Year to Europe” Award in May 2025. The students demonstrated that European values are not merely proclaimed principles, but principles that are defended and put into practice through civic responsibility, courage and solidarity. We welcome the encouraging responses from European institutions, EU Member States and Serbia’s neighbours to the post-election statements expressing a commitment to European integration and the improvement of good-neighbourly relations. After years of stagnation, eroded trust and regional tensions, these messages open up the possibility of reviving Serbia’s European integration process, restoring dialogue and strengthening cooperation with its neighbours. We call on the European Union to follow up its expressions of support for democratic change in Serbia with concrete decisions, most notably the opening of Cluster 3, thereby providing strong impetus to the revival of the accession process and the reforms that lie ahead for Serbia. The European Movement in Serbia remains firmly committed to the values it has championed for more than three decades and fully supports Serbia’s democratic renewal. The citizens of Serbia have demonstrated that they have the power to shape their country’s future. Our support remains with them and with the generations who set these changes in motion, in their efforts to build a democratic, accountable European state in which they can create the future they deserve.

From day one, we stood with #Serbia’s students and all those fighting for democracy, freedom and a European future. Under the leadership of our Secretary General @sandrogozi , we worked to bring together students, civil society and democratic voices, giving their struggle a platform in Europe. This is the commitment we’ll carry forward: uniting democrats across borders and building a Global Alliance of Democrats. Serbia showed us that when democratic forces stand together, change is possible. And this is only the beginning democrats.eu/news/from-belgr…

Illiberals, extremists, nationalists, autocrats (and wannabes): ask your friends #Vučić and Orbán how it ends when you stop listening to your citizens. The last time we asked you who would be next, Vucic didn’t appreciate it… 🙂