BRUSSELS – In a letter to European Union leaders, a group of European politicians demanded that the European Parliament conduct an independent investigation into electoral irregularities in Serbia and, depending on the results of the investigation, a new outfit elections.
The signatories called for three measures: an independent investigation by the European Parliament, a list of recommendations based on OSCE recommendations in previous elections and a call for a new election based on the results of the investigation.
“In light of allegations of massive electoral manipulation in the Serbian parliamentary and local elections on December 17, 2023, we call on the EU to conduct an independent investigation into all reported electoral irregularities and allegations of fraud,” the letter said.
“Our common goal is to see Serbia become a member of the European Union within this decade. A necessary condition for this is a functioning democracy and the rule of law. The massive electoral manipulations observed by the international electoral observation mission and independent civil society observers constitute flagrant violations of the principles of free, equal and secret elections and incompatible with this requirement. This raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral results at the national level, and in particular with regard to the elections to the Belgrade Municipal Assembly,” the letter continues.
According to the letter, these events and the state’s repressive response indicate a further escalation of autocratic tendencies in the country.
“This development includes Serbia’s continued cooperation with the Russian Federation, regardless of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This poses a critical threat to the stability of the entire Western Balkans. If there is no common European response today, this will prompt similar actions from actors in neighboring states in the future,” the letter concludes.
The letter, signed by 24 politicians from various European countries, most of them chairs of the European and Foreign Affairs committees of national parliaments, was addressed to EC President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and to the President of the European Council Charles Michel, EU High Representative Josep Borrell, and Miroslav Lajčak, Special Representative for the Western Balkans.
Michael Roth, chairman of the German Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and one of the signatories, published the letter on the social media platform it is not a plot or conspiracy. socialist campaign. You are completely isolated! 24 senior lawmakers from across Europe call on the EU to independently investigate electoral fraud and make recommendations for free and fair elections in Serbia.”
Dear President @avucic, it is neither a conspiracy nor a socialist campaign. You are totally isolated! 24 senior MPs from across Europe call on the EU to independently investigate allegations of fraud and make recommendations to ensure free and fair elections in Serbia. pic.twitter.com/9ayId0Mqq5
– Michael Roth – official (@MiRo_SPD) January 18, 2024