“Putin is behind Hungary and Serbia. For Europe it is a big problem” – Foreign

Rome, April 6, 2022 – Putin is losing in Ukraine, but has already won in Hungary and Serbia. The vote in recent days in Belgrade and Budapest, with the confirmation at the helm of Aleksandar Vucic and Viktor Orban, will strengthen the authoritarian drift underway in the two countries. “With this victory – explains Giorgio Fruscione, ISPI researcher and expert on the Balkans – Vucic managed to overcome the psychological threshold of twelve years, that is what Milosevic ruled and then the democrats who started the subsequent transition. The regression of standards. Democrats will continue inexorably. ” What will be the effects on the geopolitical chessboard? “Vucic’s foreign policy is characterized by a foot in two shoes approach. The first is that of the EU, with which Belgrade cultivates essential commercial relations. The other is that of Moscow, decisive for safeguarding the territorial integrity of Serbia. The Kremlin, with the power of veto at the UN Security Council, is crucial to obstructing the Kosovo independence process. Belgrade has been a candidate for ten years to join the EU and sooner or later will have to choose “. Is it better for Europe to let Serbia in? “It would be wrong to close the door on Belgrade, because political ties with Moscow would be nurtured and the country would be economically abandoned. But the EU should rethink its enlargement process to the Balkans, making it credible and focusing on respect for the rule of law” . Orban also strengthened his hold on Hungary. What scenarios open up? “The premier has made the conflict with the EU institutions one of his political battle horses. The clash could intensify”. How will it affect European funds to respect the rule of law? “It will be a boomerang. Orban will be able to tell his people that the EU is against the Hungarians. Also if the freezing of funds will have an impact …