European Parliament officials Tanja Fajon and Vladimir Bilcik called for credible, transparent and peaceful parliamentary and local elections in Serbia on June 21.
In a joint statement Tanja Fajon (S&D, SI) and Vladimir Bilčík (EPP, SK), facilitators of the Inter-Party Dialogue on improving election conditions in Serbia, held a final round of inclusive consultations with all key players ahead of the elections scheduled for 21 June 2020 and underlined their call for credible, transparent and peaceful elections.
“On Sunday 21 June 2020, Serbia will be one of the first countries in Europe to hold Parliamentary and municipal elections under restricted conditions due to COVID-19. In addition to ensuring credible, transparent and peaceful elections, we also urge all participants to respect the health and safety measures put in place for Election Day,” the two MEPs said in their joint statement.
“The integrity of the election process depends on the full respect of fundamental democratic principles where citizens are free to express their will through the ballot box in a peaceful environment without any form of pressure or intimidation. We hope that the results reflect accurately a democratic competition where all participants could enjoy a level playing field. In that regard, we call on the competent institutions and the media to provide objective, transparent and impartial service in accordance with the laws and regulations,” they said.
The statement also called “all bodies responsible for the elections to be proactive and ensure the full implementation of the commitments undertaken during the European Parliament facilitated Inter-Party Dialogue with the Serbian Parliament on electoral conditions”. They expressed regret that part of the opposition are boycotting the elections despite efforts to improve election condition. “Trying to find common ground between all parties should remain our effort,” Fajon and Bilcik said.
“We continue to monitor developments closely and our thoughts are with the people of Serbia as they pursue their democratic aspirations in the polling stations,” the statement said and expressed the hope that the citizens of Serbia had the opportunity to hear from all political parties, including those newly proposing pro-European political programs and agendas that will take the country closer to achieving EU membership. “We also hope that these pro-European political agendas will find their place in the new Parliament and will be influential in accelerating the necessary ongoing reforms in Serbia,” Bilcik and Fajon said.
