- European Union lawmakers have called for an independent investigation into allegations of voter fraud in Serbia’s recent elections.
- They demanded that EU funds be stopped if Belgrade authorities do not cooperate with investigations or engage in election fraud.
- International human rights watchdogs reported harsh rhetoric during opinion polls, media bias, pressure on public officials, and misuse of resources.
European Union (EU) lawmakers on Thursday called for an independent investigation into allegations of voter fraud in Serbia and withdrew EU funding if Belgrade authorities do not cooperate with the investigation or are found to be involved in election fraud. he demanded.
The ruling Serbian Progress Party, led by populist Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, won parliamentary and municipal elections on December 17, securing 129 seats in the 250-member parliament. The opposition coalition “Serbia Against Violence” finished in a distant second place with 65 seats.
The poll observers set up by international human rights groups said in a preliminary report that the poll was “marred by harsh rhetoric, media bias, pressure on public officials and misuse of public resources.”
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The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Parliament of the Council of Europe (which is not part of the EU) and the European Parliament said serious irregularities included vote buying and allegations of stuffing ballot boxes.
Opposition members hold a banner that reads “The election was stolen” during the constitutional session of the Serbian parliament in Belgrade, Serbia, on February 6, 2024. European Union lawmakers on Thursday called for an independent investigation into allegations of voting fraud in Serbia. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
In a resolution passed by 461 votes to 53, with 43 abstentions, lawmakers said evidence collected by observers showed that fraud “could have had a significant impact” on the outcome of the vote, particularly in the capital Belgrade. It pointed out with “serious concern” that it would “impair the rights of the people.” The legitimacy of public opinion polls.”
The resolution called for “special attention” to be paid to what happened in Belgrade and for all polls to be “independently investigated by respected international legal experts and institutions.”
Lawmakers said that if the authorities were found to have ignored the findings or were directly involved in voter fraud, they would have to “deduct funds to the EU due to serious violations of the rule of law related to the Serbian elections.” We asked them to stop providing the service.
The resolution infuriated Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.
“Words cannot express how scandalous the European Parliament’s resolution is,” Brnabic said, slamming opposition officials who visited the EU parliament to lobby for a tougher stance on the resolution.
“They want to put MEPs (MEPs) in line with the people in order to hold Serbs accountable, but I wonder how they have the right to humiliate the Serbian people in this way. I think so,” Brnabic said. “Shame on them.”
The resolution, adopted at a plenary session in Strasbourg, France, is not binding but represents another public expression of concern for Mr. Vučić and his party. Vučić’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his failure to impose EU sanctions against Russia disappointed many.
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Serbia is a candidate for membership in the 27-nation European Union, and Thursday’s resolution stressed that Belgrade’s accession negotiations “should only move forward if the country makes significant progress in EU-related reforms.”
On Tuesday, the Serbian National Assembly held a tense opening session as the ruling nationalists ignored reports of voter fraud and other irregularities.
As soon as the vote began, opposition members gathered around the speaker’s chair, whistling, booing and holding placards reading “The election was stolen.” Some held up photos of Vučić with the caption “Mafia boss”.
Supporters of the ruling party held up large banners condemning the opposition.
