Ultimately the most important thing is not who assumes this post, says Jutarnji list:
“The problem with the current Serbian government is the position of the European Parliament as a whole, not just Picula. Because decisions in the European Parliament are made democratically by majority vote, the reports on Serbia are always critical. The rapporteur is in charge of drafting and organising the reports and resolutions, but in the end it’s the majority that decides, not him personally. … Just as the great friend of Serbia [and previous permanent rapporteur Vladimír] Bilčík [Serbia] was unable to do much good for Serbia in the European Parliament, Picula won’t be able to do much damage either, despite the ugly and inflammatory rhetoric against him from pro-government media in Serbia.”