The European Union's relationship with Serbia has come under scrutiny following the recent visit of Maria Kós, Commissioner for Enlargement.

Political factions within Serbia are reacting to the EU's approach, particularly in the context of ongoing domestic political tensions.

Following Kós's visit, it has been observed that the Serbian government appears to have benefited more from her visit than the parliamentary opposition, which harbored expectations of a more critical stance from EU officials towards current leadership.

The opposition anticipated that Kós would publicly admonish the government over various issues concerning democracy and governance.

Conversely, the ruling party hoped for similar outcomes but was relieved when such admonishments did not materialize during her engagements.

The disparate responses indicate a clear divide in expectations regarding EU involvement in Serbian politics.

Various opposition leaders express discontent with the EU's reactions, feeling they do not align with the anticipated support for democratic reforms.

Among them, Miloš Jovanović of the New Democratic Party of Serbia articulated a position favoring cooperation with the EU without pursuing full membership.

He emphasized the need for discussions on Serbia-EU relations centered on national interests, asserting that current conditions preclude effective negotiations that would protect crucial Serbian interests.

Jovanović’s stance echoes sentiments expressed within other political parties that challenge the viability of EU accession in light of perceived threats to territorial integrity and national sovereignty, including the status of Kosovo and Metohija.

The New Democratic Party of Serbia has called for a comprehensive dialogue regarding Serbia’s cooperation with the EU while maintaining a distance from membership aspirations.

This stance raises questions about the unity within the Serbian opposition itself, which appears fragmented and lacks a cohesive strategy regarding relations with the EU. This fragmentation may illustrate the challenges the EU faces in reconciling expectations as it seeks to maintain dialogue with Serbia while also promoting its democratic ideals.

The inability of the opposition to present a united front could lead EU officials to interpret their positions as indicative of broader instability within Serbian politics.

Commentators have pointed out that the EU's relationship with Serbia is fundamentally that of partners, albeit with distinct differing interests and priorities.

Bojan Klačar, executive director of CESID, remarked that the EU must juggle a range of values beyond just political alignment, noting that cooperation entails multiple dimensions, including regional stability and economic considerations.

Klačar highlighted the necessity for the EU to engage with whatever governmental structure is present in Serbia purely from a pragmatic standpoint, suggesting that all Serbian administrations represent viable partners.

This perspective reinforces the notion that since Serbia has aspirations regarding EU integration, any administration, regardless of its nature, becomes a point of engagement for the European bloc.

This approach underscores the broader political dynamics at play, especially in light of shifts in global political landscapes that may affect EU relations with non-member states.

Domestic criticisms from certain opposition factions may not be inherently reflective of a consensus and could serve to complicate Serbia's diplomatic infrastructure as perceived by EU bureaucrats.

While perceptions of the EU's impact have varied among voters in Serbia, it remains evident that the bloc’s strategy and its perceived effectiveness in influencing democratic processes are critical among the electorate.

Dejan Bursać, a researcher at the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, suggested that the EU has yet to leave a substantial impression on the voter base amid the political unrest, particularly among those aligned with protest movements.

This could necessitate a reevaluation of communication strategies towards the Serbian populace in the future.