European Union leaders have hailed the Student List's parliamentary victory in Serbia, which ended Aleksandar Vučić's 12-year hold on power and opened the door to a potential reset in relations with Brussels.
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement welcoming the outcome, which saw a student-led protest movement secure a majority in the National Assembly. “We stand ready to support reforms on the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption and strong democratic institutions, and to work together to advance Serbia’s future in the European Union,” they said.
A new chapter for Serbia-EU relations
Serbia, the largest and most influential country in the Western Balkans, has had a fraught relationship with the EU. Its accession bid stalled after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as Belgrade maintained friendly ties with Moscow. In July, the European Commission attempted to open a new accession cluster, but eight member states blocked the move over Serbia's failure to align with EU sanctions on Russia and its rule of law record.
More recently, the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, attended by senior Serbian officials and held with military honours, further soured relations with Brussels. The Student List's rise, born out of months of protests demanding democracy and accountability, has raised hopes in EU capitals that Belgrade will now embrace reform.
Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos wrote on X: “After nearly two years of protests for democracy, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption, Serbians turned out in historic numbers. A new chapter can begin for Serbia. The door to the EU is open, and we are ready to move forward together.”
Whether the change in Belgrade will give fresh momentum to the stalled accession bid remains uncertain. Brussels, however, notes that the Student List grew out of a pro-democracy, rule of law movement, fuelling expectations that the new government will align with EU values and implement necessary reforms.
Tonino Picula, the European Parliament's rapporteur for Serbia, wrote on social media: “Now is the time for the rule of law, reforms, and institutions that serve all citizens. That should be the path toward the EU.”
The election result marks a historic shift in Serbian politics, with the student movement's victory seen as a direct rebuke to Vučić's decade-long dominance. Analysts suggest the new government will face significant challenges, including economic pressures, public expectations for change, and the delicate balance between EU integration and maintaining ties with Russia and China.
For the EU, the development offers an opportunity to re-engage with a key regional player. The bloc has long sought to stabilise the Western Balkans, and a reform-oriented Serbia could strengthen that effort. However, the path to membership remains long, requiring sustained political will and tangible progress on governance and regional cooperation.
As Serbia embarks on this new chapter, European leaders have made clear they are watching closely and ready to assist. The coming months will test whether the student-led movement can translate electoral success into lasting institutional change.
