Serbian Parliament Speaker and Acting President Ana Brnabić has invited the European Parliament to send an observation mission to Serbia’s early parliamentary elections scheduled for October 25, following mounting domestic and international criticism over the delayed invitation.
The invitation was submitted over the weekend, just two days before the extended deadline of October 12. The original deadline was October 8, when the European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents was scheduled to consider the matter.
According to media reports cited by Danas, the European Parliament had prepared a delegation of seven MEPs, expected to arrive in Serbia on October 22, three days before election day.
However, critics argue that the invitation came too late and was prompted by political pressure rather than a genuine commitment to electoral transparency.
Danijela Nestorović, a member of the working group on improving electoral conditions, told Danas that the late invitation appeared to be an attempt by the authorities to limit political damage caused by the prospect of European Parliament observers being absent.
“It is difficult to speak about openness and transparency when the invitation is sent only after the delay becomes a public issue and the procedural deadline has already passed,” Nestorović said, adding that Brnabić owed the public an explanation for the delay.
She welcomed the prospect of international observers monitoring the elections but stressed that their presence alone would not guarantee that the vote was free and fair.
According to Nestorović, electoral conditions must be assessed throughout the campaign, including media access, the conduct of state institutions, protection against voter pressure and the use of public resources.
She also warned that the authorities might present the invitation as evidence of democratic standards, while the real test would be whether observers could work without obstruction and whether their findings would be respected.
Critics Question Government’s Commitment to Electoral Transparency
Dragana Đurica, secretary-general of the European Movement in Serbia, also described the invitation as a move forced by domestic and international pressure rather than an act of goodwill.
She questioned why the authorities had waited until the deadline was nearly exhausted, potentially jeopardizing the European Parliament’s ability to send observers.
Đurica argued that the late invitation should not be confused with a guarantee of democratic elections. She pointed to longstanding concerns raised by civil society, domestic observers and international institutions, including alleged pressure on voters, misuse of state resources, unequal media coverage and unfulfilled electoral reform recommendations.
She emphasized that international observers are not there to legitimize an election but to independently assess its integrity.
“The fact that pressure was needed to get the authorities to invite European observers says more about their attitude toward democracy and European values than their repeated declarations of commitment to Serbia’s European path,” Đurica said.
She also questioned whether the authorities had changed course because of mounting pressure or because the late arrival of observers would pose less of a challenge to preparations already underway.
Đurica stressed that potential electoral irregularities cannot be assessed solely on election day, as concerns may arise earlier through voter pressure, the use of public resources, media conditions and problems with the electoral register.
If the European Parliament delegation arrives only three days before voting, she argued, its assessment should also take into account findings from long-term election observers.
The debate comes as Serbia prepares for its October 25 parliamentary elections, with the timing of the European Parliament invitation adding to scrutiny of the electoral process and the authorities’ commitment to transparency.
