The European Parliament has drawn a sharp line in the sand with Serbia, condemning Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s government for what it calls an “escalating wave of repression,” systemic corruption, and the brutal suppression of citizens demanding accountability. The resolution, adopted on October 22, represents one of the most forceful rebukes of Serbia by European institutions in recent years, signaling that the EU’s patience with Vučić’s authoritarian tendencies may finally be running out.

At the heart of the dispute lies the Serbian government’s alleged complicity in corruption, media manipulation, and human rights abuses – all of which have intensified since the deadly Novi Sad tragedy in late 2024. The incident, in which 16 people were killed after the collapse of a newly renovated railway station canopy, has become a defining moment in modern Serbian politics. The project was executed by Chinese contractors under a bilateral agreement that bypassed EU procurement rules, raising immediate concerns about transparency and safety oversight.

The Novi Sad disaster was more than an accident – it exposed the rot at the center of Serbia’s governance model. The infrastructure project had been hailed by Vučić’s administration as a symbol of national progress and Serbia’s growing partnership with China. Instead, it turned into a national scandal after reports surfaced that safety protocols were ignored, inspections were falsified, and contracts were awarded to politically connected firms.

Within days of the collapse, thousands of citizens – many of them students – poured into the streets of Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš, demanding justice for the victims and accountability from those responsible. Their slogan, “Corruption kills,” quickly evolved into a wider call for transparency, free media,........

© Blitz