Serbia's Parliament Speaker calls on political parties for talks with MEPs

November's talks are due to debate the situation in the media and the Parliament.

Gojkovic told the pro-government Pink TV that she sincerely hoped that all the parties which favoured the European Union and were of democratic orientation would come to discuss further progress and the establishment of a better atmosphere in the Parliament and the improvement of the 2020 elections' rules "in a normal, civilised and democratic way."

She said she was satisfied with the previous round of talks, adding that only a small part of the opposition boycotted the meetings.

"We all agree, except a small portion of the political scene, that the Parliament is the place for democratic dialogue," Gojkovic said.

A part of Serbia's opposition had first boycotted the Parliament's sessions because of, as they said, unfair and undemocratic treatment by Gojkovic and other deputies from the ruling coalition headed by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

Later, the leading opposition umbrella organisation Alliance for Serbia (SzS) decided to boycott the next spring vote, citing unfair election conditions, especially regarding the access to media to those criticising the regime.

In the meantime, the 1 in 5 million organisation,  born from the civil protests of the same name, called on people to boycott the vote unless the 44 recommendations of their expert team were met.

President Aleksandar Vucic and his coalition accepted the former MEP mediation in an attempt to avoid the boycott.