The “European Serbia” electoral list - a coalition comprising the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), the Serbia-Center (SRCE) party, and the Solidarity Civic Movement - held its final campaign rally on Wednesday evening in Novi Sad.
Oglas
The lead candidate and SSP leader, Dragan Djilas directed his comments at Ana Brnabic, Aleksandar Vucic, and Ivica Dacic, demanding an immediate end to the intimidation of voters, political arrests, and what he characterized as a “campaign of fear.”
Djilas reminded the crowd that the European Serbia’s campaign began in Novi Sad with the signing of the “A guarantee for a European Serbia.” Through that document, the alliance’s leadership formally pledged not to enter into any post-election cooperation or coalitions with the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) or its political partners.
Outlining the steps the coalition plans to take if there is a change of government, Djilas promised sweeping reforms. “We will dismantle the state broadcaster RTS, cancel the EXPO project, ensure that lithium will not be mined in Serbia, and return 900 million euro in stolen pensions…” Djilas said.
Goran Jesic, representing the Solidarity Civic Movement, described “European Serbia” as the only explicitly pro-European choice on the ballot. Characterizing Serbia as a land of missed opportunities, Jesic warned that the upcoming vote is the final chance to salvage the country’s EU integration process.
Marinika Tepic took the stage and warned the audience against complacency regarding Serbia’s international standing. “People in Serbia naively think it’s impossible for the European Union to reimpose visa requirements on us,” Tepic said, adding: “But yes, it is entirely possible.”
Tepic pointed out that under the current administration, Serbia has slipped into a lower tier of candidate countries. “We have plunged into the third tier alongside Turkey and Georgia. We dropped out of the first tier of fast-track integration, and we have even fallen behind the second tier, which includes Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia,” she said.
She emphasized the unique international backing the list has received, noting explicit endorsements from European political groups, including the Party of European Socialists (PES). “No electoral list in Serbia has ever enjoyed this level of support from European political parties,” Tepic said.
Addressing the intense political pressure faced by the opposition, she added: “We have fought day after day between a rock and a hard place, but there is no chance we will abandon this fight when it matters most.”
Zdravko Ponos, leader of the Serbia-Center (SRCE) party, told the rally that the “European Serbia” list enters the election as a “voice of reason,” projecting a vision of what the country can and should become.
“For too long, we have been standing still or moving in the wrong direction. We are falling behind the world and our own destiny. We aren’t paralyzed, we are just numb. The only way to fix that is to finally start moving,” Ponos said.
Addressing European integration, he noted that he understands the reasoning behind proposing an EU membership referendum within a year, but that he cannot support such an approach.
“Does that mean we won’t work on our European path for a whole year, just as we haven’t for years now? Will this be yet another year of stagnation for Serbia? A referendum only makes sense at the very end of the integration process, and that is someting we are open to discussing with the Student List,” Ponos clarified.
He urged people to take control of their future rather than remaining passive observers. “It is vital that we move, but it is even more critical which direction we take. It is entirely up to us,” Ponos said.
During the event, participants raised European Union flags, with many holding up small red booklets symbolizing EU passports.
Teme