Serbia: The EU must suspend funding for the Serbian Government if it is unwilling to implement key OSCE/ODIHR recommendations

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament reiterates its call for a full and transparent international investigation of all reported election irregularities and claims of fraud linked to Serbia’s parliamentary and partial local elections held on December 17, 2023.

The joint international observation mission noted the misuse of public resources, the lack of separation between the official functions and campaign activities, intimidation and pressure on voters, organised voter transportation fraud, ballot-box stuffing, and vote-buying.

In a resolution today approved by the plenary and initiated by Renew Europe, we call on the European Commission to immediately start the audit of the funding provided to the Serbian Government under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance III and other financial instruments and for the suspension of EU funding for Serbia if the Serbian authorities are unwilling to implement key OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. We also condemn the excessive use of police force during the protests and call for continued monitoring of related legal cases.

Renew Europe MEP, Klemen Grošelj (Gibanje Svoboda, Slovenia), shadow rapporteur on Serbia and head of EP’s election observation delegation, said:

"The elections did not meet all the requirements to be considered free and fair. An independent investigation led by international legal experts must be initiated. If the Serbian authorities do not cooperate or there is evidence of their direct involvement in voter fraud, EU funding must be suspended."