European Union lawmakers are calling for an independent investigation into alleged vote-rigging in Serbia's recent parliamentary and municipal elections. They are also demanding that EU funds be suspended if the authorities in Belgrade fail to cooperate with the inquiry or are found to be involved in any election irregularities.
The parliamentary and municipal elections, held on December 17, 2020, resulted in a victory for the governing Serbian Progressive party, led by populist Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The party secured 129 seats in the 250-seat assembly, while the opposition Serbia Against Violence coalition finished a distant second with 65 seats.
However, a preliminary report from a vote-monitoring mission set up by international rights watchdogs has raised concerns about the fairness of the elections. The report cited instances of harsh rhetoric, media bias, pressure on public sector employees, and the misuse of public resources. Irregularities such as vote-buying and ballot box stuffing were also alleged, according to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the European Parliament.
In response, European Union lawmakers passed a resolution with an overwhelming majority, 461-53 with 43 abstentions, expressing 'serious concern' over the impact of irregularities on the voting results and the legitimacy of the polls. The resolution calls for an independent investigation into all the elections, particularly focusing on the situation in the capital city of Belgrade.
Furthermore, the resolution demands the suspension of EU funding if the Serbian authorities disregard the findings of the investigation or are found to be directly involved in voter fraud. The lawmakers are emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law in connection with Serbia's elections.
However, the resolution has drawn criticism from Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, who described it as 'scandalous.' Brnabic condemned opposition officials for actively lobbying in the European Parliament for a resolution that takes a tough stance on Serbia. She expressed her disbelief in the EU's right to exert control over Serbian citizens and voiced her disapproval of their attempt to humiliate the country.
The resolution, though nonbinding, adds to the growing concerns surrounding President Vucic and his party. Vucic's ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his failure to enforce EU sanctions on Moscow have raised eyebrows among EU member states. Serbia, a candidate for EU membership, will need to make significant progress on EU-related reforms for their accession talks to proceed.
The recent inaugural session of Serbia's National Assembly was marked by tension, as opposition lawmakers gathered around the speaker's stand, issuing claims of election fraud and irregularities. Meanwhile, supporters of the ruling party displayed a large banner denouncing the opposition.
The EU's call for an independent investigation and the potential suspension of funds underscores the importance of fair and transparent elections in Serbia. As the country aspires to join the EU, the resolution highlights the need for significant progress in meeting EU standards and upholding democratic principles.
