By an overwhelming majority, MEPs voted for a resolution inviting the European Commission to send a fact-finding mission to Serbia to shed light on suspicions of electoral fraud.
On December 17, the nationalist right won the legislative and local elections. A victory which led to demonstrations in the country for several days. According to the opposition, these elections were rigged.
After the elections, international observers from the OSCE in particular denounced irregularities. For the European Parliament, these elections, won by the party of President Aleksander Vucic, did not take place under fair conditions.
“Public opinion must have the feeling that justice is being administered appropriately and without delay. I think this would help to calm things down in Serbia, but also in relations between the European institutions and Serbia“, explains MEP Vladimír Bilčík.
Citizens were also allegedly encouraged to vote for the presidential party. The Serbian opposition is calling for the cancellation of these contested elections.
“We ask for nothing other than respect for the laws, that institutions are not abused, that citizens have equal conditions to form an opinion on the person for whom they are going to vote, and that they then vote freely“, explains Serbian opponent Marinika Tepić.
During the demonstrations, Russia, Serbia’s ally, accused the West of wanting to destabilize the country. If electoral fraud is confirmed, relations between Serbia and the EU could become even more complicated.