On the polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad tragedy

B100467/2025

European Parliament resolution on the polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad tragedy

(2025/2917(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part,

–having regard to its previous resolutions on Serbia,

–having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas on 1 November 2025, Serbia will commemorate the first anniversary of the Novi Sad tragedy in which 16 people were killed;

B.whereas on 16 September 2025, Serbian prosecutors filed an updated indictment against 13 people over the fatal incident in which a railway station roof collapsed;

C.whereas protests taking place after the tragic event further exacerbated polarisation in the country;

D.whereas former Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, former Transport Minister Goran Vesić and the former Mayor of Novi Sad, Milan Đurić, all took responsibility and resigned from their roles;

E.whereas the Government of Serbia took numerous steps to address protestors’ demands;

1.Expresses sincere condolences to the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy;

2.Recalls the fact that the protests in wake of the tragic event, which began with demands for accountability, have reportedly since been instrumentalised by left-wing non-governmental organisations and political activists who see these protests as an opportunity to destabilise Serbia’s institutions;

3.Recalls that any attempts to influence Serbia’s political future from the outside causes further polarisation and destabilisation in the country;

4.Fully stands by Serbia’s sovereignty and its ability to handle its internal affairs and calls on all parties interfering in Serbia’s internal affairs to refrain from doing so;

5.Welcomes the efforts that have been made thus far in taking accountability for this unfortunate tragedy and emphasises that local and sovereign leadership – and not foreign interference – is key to resolving the situation and stabilising the country, which was understandably shaken by this tragedy;

6.Emphasises that the protests and blockades of faculties, such as at the University of Belgrade and the University of Novi Sad, and numerous secondary schools are causing the suspension of lectures, the postponement or cancellation of exams, and the disruption of academic calendars; emphasises that these disruptions are depriving many students of their fundamental right to education;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Commission and the authorities of the Serbian Government.