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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2521(RSP))

On the situation in Serbia following the elections

B-9-2024-0131

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Viola von CramonTaubadel, Jordi Solé, Henrike Hahn, Francisco Guerreiro, Tineke Strik, Bronis Ropė, Gwendoline DelbosCorfield, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Ignazio Corrao

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Parliament's resolution on the situation in Serbia following the 17 December 2023 elections says those elections cannot be deemed free and fair and were compromised by widespread fraud. It calls for an independent international investigation into the parliamentary, provincial and local elections, and for the EU and member states not to recognise the results until it is completed. It asks Serbia to implement ODIHR and Venice Commission recommendations, to review the Unified Voter Registry and to introduce a minimum residence requirement for local elections. It says no further steps should be taken in EU accession negotiations until key recommendations are implemented and irregularities judicially investigated, and calls for strict conditionality and a freeze of IPA III funding if Serbia is unwilling. It condemns police violence against peaceful demonstrators, attacks on journalists, human rights defenders and civil society, and the low quality of the media landscape.

Key points

  1. Parliament is gravely concerned about serious irregularities reported by international and domestic observers in the 17 December 2023 elections and considers them not free and fair.
  2. It calls on the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Commission to launch an independent international investigation with a clear deadline, and for the EU and member states not to recognise the results until it is completed.
  3. It calls on Serbia to implement ODIHR and Venice Commission recommendations, including measures to prevent misuse of office and state resources with compliance, enforcement and sanctions mechanisms.
  4. It is concerned about organised voter migration by 'phantom voters' registered at fictitious addresses, calls for judicial investigation, a swift review of the Unified Voter Registry and a minimum residence requirement for local elections.
  5. It condemns the lack of prosecutions for electoral offences such as forged signatures, manipulation of the voter registry, intimidation, corruption and abuse of state resources.
  6. It urges Serbia to end voter intimidation and vote buying, address polling station deficiencies, ensure the effectiveness of media-monitoring and political financing bodies, and audit the Unified Voter Registry.
  7. It calls on Serbia to ensure democratic guarantees for the next regular local elections in 2024 and future elections.
  8. It calls on the Commission to task independent experts with a comprehensive report on systemic rule of law issues in Serbia, following the example of the 'Priebe reports'.
  9. It calls for the EU to facilitate dialogue between the government and the opposition, with Parliament as a mediator.
  10. It says no further steps should be taken in EU accession negotiations until key recommendations are implemented and irregularities judicially investigated, and calls for strict conditionality and a freeze of IPA III funding if Serbia is unwilling.
  11. It condemns disproportionate police violence against peaceful demonstrators, attacks on journalists, human rights defenders and civil society, and the polarised campaign with hate speech.
  12. It deplores the low quality of the media landscape, government influence over media, and the passive approach of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), and regrets that women remain under-represented in senior elected positions.

Who is affected

  • Serbia's authorities, who are asked to implement recommendations, investigate irregularities and ensure democratic guarantees.
  • The EU and its member states, which are asked not to recognise the election results until an independent investigation is completed.
  • The Commission, the Council, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, which are asked to launch an investigation and apply conditionality.
  • Journalists, human rights defenders, civil society activists and election observers, who are targets of attacks and harassment condemned by Parliament.
  • Women in politics, who remain under-represented in senior elected positions and whose participation Parliament says needs further efforts.

Figures and deadlines

  • 17 December 2023: date of the early parliamentary, provincial and local elections in Serbia.
  • 1 September 2013: entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Serbia.
  • 15 December 2022: date of the joint opinion of the Venice Commission and ODIHR on Serbia's constitutional and legal framework.
  • 65 cities and municipalities, including Belgrade, held local elections on 17 December 2023.
  • 2 out of 18 lists were headed by women.
  • 2012: year Serbia became a candidate country for EU membership.