Serbia is still recognized as a candidate for EU membership, but recent events have raised questions about the government's commitment to this aspiration. With a brutal crackdown on protesting students and numerous attacks on journalists, skepticism about President Aleksandar Vučić's pro-European claims is growing. In 2025 alone, there were at least 91 assaults on journalists, and usually, the perpetrators face no consequences, which casts doubt on the media's freedom in Serbia.

The government's harsh stance on dissent and its apparent prioritization of suppressing anti-corruption activists, subjecting them to a flood of legal challenges, further complicates Serbia's position as a candidate aiming to join the EU. The situation has led to accusations that Vučić is a master of saying one thing while doing another, undermining the genuine aspirations of his fellow citizens who truly believe in European values. The apparent divergence between the stated goal of EU integration and the actions taken domestically raises critical questions about the sincerity of Serbia's ambitions.

As citizens hope for a shift towards alignment with European norms, the reality paints a troubling picture. The ongoing issues of freedom of press, protection for activists, and government responses to civil demonstrations must be addressed if Serbia is to move closer to achieving EU membership and becoming part of the community of European values.