European officials demand investigation into Serbian elections

(Patria) - More than 20 high-ranking European politicians, represented in parliamentary committees for foreign affairs, have called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to investigate allegations of fraud in the December elections in Serbia.

"We call on the EU to conduct an independent investigation into all reported electoral irregularities and claims of fraud," the politicians wrote in a letter published by some of the signatories.

It was addressed to the bloc's top leadership, including Von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel, and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.

Serbia's authoritarian President Aleksandar Vučić tightened his grip on power by declaring victory in the December elections, sparking the anger of tens of thousands of people who protested for days in the streets of Belgrade, believing the elections were stolen.

The 24 signatories of the letter, including Michael Roth, chairman of the German parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, and his French counterpart Jean-Louis Bourlanges, urged the EU to independently investigate the fraud allegations and make recommendations to ensure free and fair elections in Serbia.

The signatories mostly chair foreign or European affairs committees in their national parliaments and come from across the EU – including France, Italy, Denmark, and Luxembourg – as well as from Ukraine, Moldova, and the United Kingdom.

"Depending on the findings of the investigation," they said, new elections might be needed in Serbia.

"Our common goal is to see Serbia as a member of the European Union in this decade," they added. The demand for an investigation comes as Von der Leyen prepares plans for an EU with more than 30 members.

The bloc currently has 27 member states, but began accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova in December. Other countries, such as Serbia, Georgia, and some Western Balkan countries, are in various stages of the accession process.