MEP: Legitimacy of Serbia's elections will be doubtful if no fair conditions

Serbia is moving further from the European Union, while the bloc looks at the country through a narrow perspective focused on Kosovo and its rivalry with China and Russia, Klemen Groselj, a member of the European Union (EP) has told the European Western Balkans (EWB) on Monday.

Asked about the elections and their boycott in Serbia, Groslelj that it was up to the ruling elite to secure conditions which would not be iffy regarding their legitimacy,

"If there are no guarantees for a free and honest campaign, the legitimacy of these elections will undoubtedly be questionable. Especially concerning the obligations to the European institutions Serbia has undertaken," Groselj said.

He added that because of the mentioned EU perspective, the bloc "is willing to make compromises regarding democratic standards."

Referring to the latest Freedom House report on Serbia, which downgraded the country to the undemocratic, hybrid regime, Groselj said that it, 'unfortunately' meant that Belgrade was moving further away from the EU.