Role Conflicts and Patron-Client Dynamics: Rethinking EU Enlargement Through the Case of Serbia

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022, the European Union's enlargement policy has experienced renewed momentum, primarily driven by geostrategic imperatives. In a relatively short timeframe, the EU granted candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, effectively doubling the number of aspirants to membership. While this revival has broken a prolonged period of stagnation in enlargement discussions, the restored commitment from the EU has not been equally mirrored by all candidate countries. A notable case is Serbia, frequently regarded as a "frontrunner" in the EU integration process, with accession tentatively projected for 2030. Despite this position, Serbia continues to resist aligning its policies toward Russia with EU standards and practices. Applying the framework of international patron-client theory reveals a paradoxical dynamic in the EU-Serbia relationship. On the one hand, as the patron, the EU engages extensively with Serbia through negotiations and significant financial support yet faces considerable limitations in leveraging pressure or presenting compelling incentives to secure Serbia's alignment with EU norms. On the other hand, as the client, Serbia formally espouses a commitment to EU integration and ostensibly pursues membership but persistently avoids taking the necessary steps for accession, publicly asserting its defiance toward the EU. This dynamic highlights a pronounced role conflict, distinguishing this relationship from patterns observed in previous rounds of EU enlargement. This article explores the EU-Serbia relationship through the theoretical lens of international patron-client dynamics, integrating insights from role theory to offer a constructivist perspective. It examines how both actors construct their self-identities and perceptions of the other within the context of the enlargement process, navigates inter-role conflicts, and addresses the implications of these conflicts for the EU's broader enlargement policy. The study aims to contribute to the field of European studies and foreign policy analysis while examining practical opportunities for enhancing the EU's enlargement policy.