If Serbia meets the necessary reform requirements, Kos indicated that it could open at least one cluster for EU accession in 2025 and receive the Interim Benchmark Report (IBAR).

EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos has emphasized that the demands for Serbia's EU accession align closely with the protesters' calls for action against corruption and the strengthening of the rule of law.

Kos also highlighted prior commitments made by Vučić for media and electoral reforms during discussions with EU leaders in March 2025, suggesting that fulfilling these could facilitate progress in the accession negotiations.

Kos has called for greater involvement of civil society organizations in the EU accession process and expressed optimism that the new government would be pro-European and committed to reforms.

Serbia has been engulfed in significant unrest since November 2023, primarily driven by student-led protests following a tragic roof collapse at a train station, which underscored widespread public anger over corruption.

The EU's relationship with Vučić has been complicated, particularly due to his government's close ties with Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, raising concerns about Serbia's EU membership prospects.

This wave of protests, the largest in Serbia since the 1990s, culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and the collapse of her government, intensifying calls for political reform.

In a surprising political maneuver, President Aleksandar Vučić has appointed Dr. Đuro Macut, an endocrinologist and political newcomer, to lead the new government, which must secure parliamentary approval by April 18, 2025, to avoid new elections.

Despite the protests, Vučić has accused demonstrators of being funded by foreign intelligence agencies, claiming their actions threaten national peace and stability.

Kos plans to visit Belgrade at the end of April 2025, amid concerns regarding Vučić's scheduled visit to Moscow for a World War II victory parade on May 9, which could further strain relations with the EU.

While expressing hope for reform, Kos warned Vučić about the importance of supporting civil society initiatives in Serbia to align with EU expectations.

As of late 2021, Serbia had begun negotiations on 22 out of 35 required accession chapters, but progress has stalled, and the country is awaiting an update on its rule-of-law reforms from the EU.