Following Serbia’s early parliamentary elections on 25 October 2026, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos issued a joint statement acknowledging the historically high voter turnout and the mandate for change given to the incoming government. Welcoming the swift recognition of the results by the main contestants, they stressed the importance of an orderly transition and the timely formation of democratic institutions. Referring to the preliminary findings of the international election observation mission, the EU acknowledged the generally efficient administration of the elections but highlighted serious shortcomings, including misuse of state resources, media bias favouring the incumbent party, intimidation and pressure on voters, candidates and civil society, disruption of campaign activities and reported physical violence. Kallas and Kos called for tangible electoral reforms through an inclusive process and genuine implementation of OSCE/ODIHR and Council of Europe recommendations. They reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to work with the incoming government on democratic standards, judicial independence, fundamental rights and media freedom, stressing that reducing societal polarisation and strengthening public trust remain essential to Serbia’s EU accession process. Read more here.
Source: European External Action Service (EEAS)