Serbian opposition meets EP delegation, urges EU to sanction SNS officials and condition funding

Lazovic told a press conference after the meeting that the opposition highlighted how domestic issues have deepened since the European Parliament’s latest resolution, that newly proposed judicial laws are designed to increase political control and stifle the rule of law.

He said the talks also covered the ongoing repression of citizens, police raids on university faculties, the failed appointment process for the electronic media regulator (REM), the promotion of loyalist police officers, and continued attacks on journalists.

Regarding their specific proposals presented to the MEPs, Lazovic said the opposition called for continued European Parliament engagement to resolve the crisis, which they believe requires holding snap parliamentary elections.

The opposition also requested that the release of funds from the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans be strictly conditioned on the implementation of real reforms.

They also called for targeted sanctions against high-ranking officials of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), and against figures such as Marko Kricak, the current head of the Criminal Police Directorate (UKP).

“We asked the European People’s Party (EPP) to reconsider whether an organization like the SNS belongs in their membership. We are asking for the European Commission’s more direct involvement,” said Lazovic, adding that in the future the Serbian opposition will request meetings and travel to Brussels on this issue.

“We requested that minor, superficial steps taken by the government not be used to mask the fundamental absence of genuine reforms that would push Serbia toward EU membership. We have a generational opportunity for Serbia to join the EU by 2032, but such a goal is certainly impossible under the SNS,” Lazovic emphasized.