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McAllister in Belgrade: Election Boycott “Would Not Contribute to Strengthening Democratic Institutions”

Politiko 27 Gusht 2019, 12:05

McAllister in Belgrade: Election Boycott “Would Not Contribute to

The European Parliament is prepared to provide support in finding a common language between the government and opposition in Serbia, stated David McAllister, Chairman of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Monday in Belgrade, adding that a possible boycott of the upcoming elections “would not contribute to the strengthening of a democratic institution.”

McAllister met separately on Monday with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Minister of European Integrations Jadranka Joksimovic, as well as with a group of Serbian MPs.

As expected, McAllister did not show any understanding for the intention of the majority of the opposition to soon announce a boycott of the vote that is to take place next spring, because conditions for free and fair elections do not exist.

The Serbian opposition has been for weeks bracing itself for increased pressure by EU and US officials for them to back down from the intention to boycott the elections.

An electoral boycott would mean that the views of the parties not taking part in the elections would not be heard in parliamentary debate, and that does not contribute to the strengthening of democratic institutions, McAllister told reporters during his first foreign visit since being appointed Chairman of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs.

There is enough time until the elections, and until then efforts should continue on improving the performance of parliament, as the proper place for democratic debate, McAllister added, ignoring the fact that such debate in the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)-controlled parliament has not existed for a long time, and that the opposition MPs face constant obstruction by the SNS MPs.

McAllister said that the EP is thoroughly monitoring the so-called roundtables of the government and opposition, taking place in Belgrade, which has in the meantime faced a collapse because of the government’s unyielding position and the unwillingness of the opposition to continue talks in circumstances where it sees no point.

He confirmed that he had received a letter with the proposal of the leader of the Movement of Free Citizens (PSG) Sergej Trifunovic, that the EU should act as a mediator between the government and the opposition, adding that he had not had an opportunity to read it in detail and that he would comment it at a later time.

Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi said at the same press conference that the latest European Commission progress report on Serbia contains detailed recommendations for carrying out elections and that the EU encourages the Serbian Government to implement them because they increase the prospects of the 2020 elections being free and fair.

McAllister said that it is “necessary to praise” what the government is doing, especially in the domain of rule of law and economic reforms, as well as the media, without mentioning specifically what the progress consists of in the latter case.

On the topic of Kosovo, McAllister reiterated the known EU position that the end of the negotiation process between Belgrade and Pristina should entail a legally binding agreement on the full normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

It is presently uncertain when that dialogue might continue, but it must continue because there is no alternative, he said.