**European Commission No Longer Sees Serbia’s President as a Colleague**
A top European official has stopped talking to Serbia’s president. This is because of the government’s harsh treatment of students and citizens, said Nemanja Todorovic-Stiplija, editor-in-chief of the website European Western Balkans.
The European Commission had been gentle with Serbia in the past five years. But now they are speaking out against the government. However, many people think this is not enough. They want the Commission to take stronger action, like it has done in other countries such as North Macedonia and Georgia.
**Different Treatment for Different Countries**
Todorovic-Stiplija said that European Commissioner Marta Kos has changed her tone on Serbia’s government. She now sees the country’s political crisis as serious. This is a change from before when the Commission was more lenient.
The editor-in-chief also pointed out that when there were protests in Georgia, EC President Ursula von der Leyen strongly condemned the violence. But she did not do the same for the protests in Serbia. Todorovic-Stiplija believes this is because the EC sees Serbia as a country that can cause problems in the region if it is pushed.
**Influence of EC President**
Todorovic-Stiplija said that von der Leyen has a lot of influence over the relations between Serbia and the European Commission. He thinks that nothing happens without her approval.
The editor-in-chief also mentioned that von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa have finally spoken out against the problems facing citizens in Serbia. This is a change, but it may be too little, too late for many people.
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