The call for competent Serbian authorities to investigate all credible reports of irregularities in the December 17 elections in a transparent manner was repeatedly made at the European Parliament (EP) Wednesday debate on Serbia, while EP Standing Rapporteur on Serbia Vladimir Bilcik also criticized the elections.

European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said these elections were very important, and that they were observed by very international missions.

“Though technically well administered and offering voters a choice of political alternatives, they were dominated by the decisive involvement of the (Serbian) President, which, together with the ruling party’s systemic advantages, created unjust conditions,” he said.

He said it was concluded in the observers’ preliminary report that the electoral process requires tangible improvement and further reform.

“We expect that all credible reports of irregularities are followed up in a transparent manner by the competent national authorities. This also includes allegations related to the local elections in Belgrade and other municipalities. Following the adoption of the final OSCE/ODIHR report and recommendations for future elections, we expect Serbia to implement them quickly ahead of future elections,” said Reynders.

He emphasized the importance of upholding the right of peaceful demonstration, stressed that violence is not the solution and that it is unacceptable.

“Police action must be proportionate and respect fundamental rights and the rule of law. We call on the Serbian political leadership to ensure now a constructive inclusive dialogue across the political spectrum. There is no space for disinformation narratives in a healthy democracy. Serbia remains a candidate country negotiating its accession to the European Union, we expect Serbia to demonstrate unequivocally its determination to advance the accession process by accelerating its work on the implementation of EU accession related reforms across the board and to deliver real and tangible results. This includes in particular the area of rule of law and the normalization of relations with Kosovo,” he said.

Serbia is asked to fully align itself with EU common foreign and security positions.

Bilcik: People of Serbia deserve a European future

The next speaker was Vladimir Bilicik, who said that “Serbia’s public space has been captured by tensions and personal accusations.”

“Frequent snap elections cause people’s distrust of the state governance and are hindering the implementation of needed EU accession related reforms. As observers, we also said on the day of elections – key procedures for voting and counting were mostly followed, however, we have reported cases of lack of secrecy. We received several reports of mass registration in Belgrade, of voters from abroad and from other municipalities from inside Serbia, specifically to enlarge the electorate. We call on the competent authorities to investigate properly and give follow up on all the problematic issues we have referred to. This was said jointly by all the EP observers on the 18th of December, after the elections. Dear colleagues, I stood by these words in December, and I stand by them now. And I do so because I believe Serbia deserves better, Serbia deserves a European future, people in Serbia deserve a political climate without a constant political campaign, people in Serbia deserve true European reforms, people in Serbia deserve a clear choice between Russia and Europe and a clear choice between confrontation and cooperation,” said Bilcik.

Schieder: Instead of transparency, Serbian PM criticizing observers

Head of the group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament Andreas Schieder said Serbian elections were held exactly a month ago.

Phantom voters, biased reports, and a whole list of irregularities are all things that need to be cleared up, there needs to be transparency, said Schieder.

Instead, he said, the Serbian President and Prime Minister are criticizing electoral observers which shows that the criticism in the observers’ report is correct.

The EU needs to ensure rule of law and transparency, he said.

Groselj: Brutal openness of election irregularities

“The 35 irregularities that occurred in these snap elections have proved that Serbia has a serious issue with meeting basic democratic standards and in conducting free and fair elections. We have been aware of these issues for years. However, what is new is the brutal openness with which these irregularities took place,” said Klemen Groselj of the Renew Europe Group in the EP.

It looked like the Serbian authorities did not even care because they are still confident that nothing will happen, he added.

“Unfortunately, they are right. The reaction of the Commission and the Council has been, to put it mildly, very soft. This is the essence of the problem of our enlargement policy as a whole. The question is: will the EU insist on the implementation of our fundamental democratic values and principles, such as the principle that free and fair elections are the foundation of the EU. Or will we be politically pragmatic, and, for the sake of quasi-geopolitical stability sacrifice the democratic hopes and aspirations of the Serbian people. For me, the answer is simple, but I know that many in the EU have a huge dilemma,” said Groselj.

“If we truly care about the future of Serbia, of the Western Balkans and of the EU itself, we must support the democratic aspirations of the Serbian people and ensure that they can vote in free and fair elections,” he said.

Von Cramon: How is it possible that thousands of people were brought to Belgrade to vote?

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel of the Group of the Greens/European Free said that the mass migrations that were witnessed in the Serbian elections are something that she has never seen in her entire career.

“Pressuring voters, carousel voting, no access to international media for the opposition before the election day, the plan to publish election results tomorrow but backdated to the 3rd of January will ensure that the opposition loses any right to appeal to the High Court. Let us be crystal clear – these elections are rigged, they are stolen!…Dear citizens of Serbia, the European Parliament stands with you. First, we demand an impartial international investigation, together with the OSCE, as was the case in Serbia after the 1996 elections. The goal of every election observation mission is to respect the voters’ will. If massive fraud takes place, the international community needs to protect voters’ rights. With the inter-party dialogue, the EP has a long-term instrument for mediation between political parties in Serbia, why not use it now? It is in our joint interest to see a democratic, European Serbia which will lead the whole region to the EU,” said Von Cramon.

Jean-Lin Lacapelle: What exactly are you blaming the Serbs for?

On the other hand, French MEP Jean-Lin Lacapelle said he was outraged by the organization of the debate on Serbian elections.

“What exactly are you blaming the Serbs for? There were over 5 thousand election observers, the most ever in the history of Serbia. There were only 13 serious irregularities detected, so the result of the vote cannot be called into question,” he said.

Lacapelle said that ideology, rather than the facts, are motivating the EU. He said Vucic does not follow the EU ideology, which is why the EU wants to destabilize Serbia.

Each county is free, sovereign and independent, even when its democratic choices are not liked by the EU. The people have freely chosen their own fate and they want Mr. Vucic, I would like to wish him all the very best for the future of Serbia, said Lacapelle.

Nemec: You deserve a healthy democracy, many of us are your friends

Matjaz Nemec MEP addressed the Serbian citizens at the European Parliament debate on the December elections, saying that the rhetoric of the political leadership, including (political) manipulations, evasion of responsibility, and numerous indications of irregularities during the December elections are increasingly distancing Serbia from the values of the EU.
“The latter is emphasized not only by international observers but also by numerous non-governmental organizations and by you – the voters in Serbia. You, who deserve a healthy democracy, verified information from independent and free media, a functioning rule of law and credible accession negotiations. Do not forget that many of us in the EP are sincere interlocutors striving for these goals as well and friends of Serbia,” Nemec told the debate.

He added that he cannot imagine the future of the Union without Serbia as an equal Member state of the EU.

“I fear though, that EU membership may not be a sincere strategic choice and end goal of the Serbian leadership,” he said.

Nemec said he believes that the Serbian leadership is juggling between their commitments to the accession process by opening new chapters, on the one hand, and Serbia’s engagement with the intelligence structures of totalitarian states, on the other, adding that this is becoming “quite bizarre and seriously concerning.”

At the beginning of the EP plenary session on January 15, a majority of MEPs voted in favor of the request by the Socialists and Democrats, the Greens and the liberals to include on the session agenda a debate on the situation in Serbia following the December 17, 2023 elections, on the basis of the EP observation mission report.

In addition, the MEPs also adopted the proposal for a vote on a resolution on Serbian elections at the EP plenary session in February.

The EP vote on the resolution has been announced for February 8 at noon.