While EU institutions do not seem eager to take concrete action over Serbia’s controversial 17 December general elections, the Party of European Socialists are keeping up the momentum with a strongly worded letter sent to Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.
The Serbian general elections, won by Brnabic and Aleksander Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party, sparked massive nationwide protests over reports of vote buying, voter pressuring, and the bussing in of Serbs from Bosnia and Herzegovina to vote, reportedly for the incumbent.
The OSCE, independent observers, international institutions and EU member states have condemned the elections and called for action to prevent further democratic backsliding in the EU candidate country.
The letter states PES supports fundamental EU values such as democracy, the rule of law, civil rights and equal political opportunities, calling on Serbia to uphold them. It also details extracts from OSCE/ODIHR findings regarding irregularities such as detaining student protestors, abuse of voting rights and laws, pressure on voters, misuse of public records, and the media situation during and after the campaign.
It notes, “The sight of tens of thousands of Serbian citizens around the country protesting the election results is a clear sign that Serbian society wants a more transparent and democratic election process.”
The letter calls on the Serbian Progressive Party, affiliated with the European People’s Party, which has yet to send any similar kind of letter, to conduct a transparent investigation into all reported irregularities, as is befitting of a European Union candidate country negotiating membership.
Shortly after the elections, the EU made several statements calling for transparency and for leadership to probe the reports of irregularities.
Euractiv contacted the EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell’s office to ask if any action would be taken on this. Spokesperson Peter Stano replied that in light of the preliminary findings and conclusions, “We conclude with concern that the electoral process requires tangible improvement and further reform, as the proper functioning of Serbia’s democratic institutions is at the core of Serbia’s EU accession process.”
He added that recommendations from the forthcoming final OSCE/ODIHR report should “be implemented as soon as possible and well in advance of the next elections.”
Stano further stated that credible reports of irregularities, as mentioned in the OSCE/ODIHR preliminary findings report, should be followed up in a transparent manner by the competent national authorities. He called on the Serbian political leadership to ensure a constructive, inclusive dialogue across the political spectrum.
(Alice Taylor | Euractiv.com)
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Source: euractiv.com
