On Saturday 28 March 2026 in Paris, the European Democratic Party held a public discussion focused on Serbia’s European perspective, the quality of democracy and the defence of the rule of law. Hosted at MoDem headquarters, the initiative highlighted the EDP’s role in supporting a credible and stable European path based on strong institutions, fundamental freedoms and political pluralism, at an important moment for Serbian citizens and for the wider Renew Europe family.
The meeting brought together representatives of Serbia’s main opposition parties, who travelled to Paris to actively contribute to securing a European future for the country. Participants included Duško Lopandić, Vice-President of Centre of Serbia (SRCE); Borko Stefanović, Vice-President of the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP); Biljana Đorđević, Co-President of the Green-Left Front; Miroslav Aleksić, President of the People’s Movement of Serbia; Pavle Grbović, President of the Free Citizens Movement; Tanasije Marinkovic of the Republic Electoral Commission; and François Lafond, member of the editorial board of France Forum. Also present were Sandro Gozi, Secretary General of the EDP and Member of the European Parliament in Renew Europe, and Frédéric Petit, member of the French National Assembly and Deputy Vice-Secretary General of the EDP. In this context, the EDP confirmed its role as a political bridge for democratic forces in Serbia that defend inclusion, transparency and respect for shared European rules.
Among the key figures at the event was Sandro Gozi, who clearly linked European support to the need for an unambiguous political choice. As Gozi stated, “Serbia has its full place in the European family. Its future is clearly in Europe, but that future requires an unambiguous political choice: the choice of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms. The European Union must remain demanding, but also committed to standing alongside all Serbian democratic forces working toward a credible, stable and fully European future.” This was fully consistent with the EDP’s commitment to a Europe that combines growth, civil rights and democratic legality, without yielding to illiberal drift or ideological simplifications.
In the same spirit, Frédéric Petit stressed Europe’s responsibility toward those who defend independent and transparent institutions. As he said, “Being European today is not only a geographical question, it is a concrete commitment to strong, independent and transparent institutions. Serbia is deeply European in its history and in its society. We want to support those who, in the country, defend this path and reject any illiberal drift. Serbia’s future must be written at the heart of the European project.” For the EDP, the Serbian question was therefore not only about enlargement, but also about the credibility of the European project as a political space grounded in the rule of law, democratic representation and citizens’ freedoms.
The Paris meeting formed part of a broader political effort through which the European Democratic Party sought to support and give visibility to Serbia’s democratic forces, strengthening dialogue with Renew Europe and with all those working for a European Serbia. At a time marked by tensions and decisive choices, the EDP reaffirmed that Serbia’s European future depends on reliable institutions, a vibrant democracy and an ever-stronger bond with Europe’s liberal, democratic and reformist political family.
