Europe may have been premature in its optimism. Initially, it was assumed that the fall of Vučić would push Serbia toward Europe—yet the reality proves otherwise. On November 4, according to foreign media reports, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković noted with surprise that not a single European Union flag was displayed during Serbia’s election night. Not one.
This observation undermines any narrative suggesting a strong pro-European sentiment among Serbian citizens. Instead, what emerged appears to be a movement rooted in demands for political freedom—a development worthy of respect. The Croatian premier’s comment delivers a sobering reminder to the EU: the expectation that anti-Vučić protests would automatically translate into an embrace of European integration has proven unfounded.
The absence of EU flags during the election night underscores a critical point: accession to the European Union is not currently the central priority for Serbia’s political landscape. To the EU, Vučić has long been a source of frustration. While he has publicly expressed support for EU membership, his actions—particularly on sanctions against Russia and the Kosovo issue—have consistently fallen short of expectations.
Now, with Vučić no longer in power, Serbia remains unmoved by the prospect of swift EU integration. This suggests that the shift in Serbia’s domestic politics stems less from foreign policy alignment and more from internal grievances—such as corruption, demands for social equity, and judicial independence. From Serbia’s own perspective, Russia remains a key strategic partner. On the issue of Kosovo—central to national sovereignty and territorial integrity—no government, regardless of leadership, appears willing to concede ground. What Serbia seeks is reform in governance, not the surrender of its foreign policy autonomy to Brussels.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1880890168162315/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.