Aleksandar Vučić has claimed that foreign actors are showing unusual interest in Serbia’s upcoming local elections, accusing them of interfering in the country’s internal affairs.
Speaking to TV Pink, Vučić said it was “surprising” that foreign representatives are so focused on local elections, which are scheduled to take place on March 29 in 10 municipalities across Serbia.
According to the Serbian president, such attention indicates that foreign involvement in Serbia’s domestic political matters has never stopped.
“It is surprising to me that foreigners are showing so much interest in local elections. This shows that their involvement in our internal affairs has never ceased. They have always interfered in our matters in a brutal way. Let them continue,” Vučić said.
The remarks came after officials from the British Embassy Belgrade recently visited the town of Aranđelovac, where local elections will also be held on March 29.
According to the embassy, the diplomats were conducting a routine diplomatic visit and were expected to meet with representatives of the local government and opposition. However, the embassy later said the officials were harassed and prevented from carrying out their duties by two individuals in a local establishment.
In a statement, the embassy expressed “deep disappointment”, saying such actions are unacceptable and damaging to Serbia’s international reputation, as well as harmful to mutual cooperation.
Meanwhile, opposition members in the National Assembly of Serbia have recently asked European institutions, including the European Union and the Council of Europe, to send election observers for the upcoming local elections.
