European Liberals: We don't believe elections in Serbia will be fair

The MEPs wrote to Olivér Várhelyi, the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement, they believed the elections in Serbia would not be fair.

"We are deeply concerned about what seems like a huge disproportion between statements and obligations Serbia's authorities committed themselves to and their implementation and respect on the ground," the MEPs letter said.

The EWB recalls that of the party of the French President Emmanuel Macron is a member of the group.

The MEPs further wrote: "We regret the decision to hold elections on June 21 without an agreement between the authorities and the opposition which could have prevented the boycott of the part of the opposition," adding that such an agreement "could have also increased the elections' legitimacy."

 "To make it worse, because of an unbalanced media reporting, the increase of pressure on individuals and civil society critical of the Government, an independent analysis about democracy, described Serbia as a hybrid regime."

They reiterated that "because of all of that, we believe that the elections held in such atmosphere will be far from fair and democratic."

The MEPs also said they were concerned about the increasing Russian and Chinese influence and the country authorities statements about the EU.

"They cast a shadow over true commitment by Serbia's leadership to the European future."

The deputies believe that the EU should reinforce its efforts to bring Serbia into the group of countries with functional democracy. In addition to monitoring the forthcoming elections, they suggest the EU analyses the effects on democracy in the country that the funds the bloc has allocated to Serbia have had.

"Dear Commissioner, in the light of the above and the EU strategic interest for the Western Balkans, and especially Serbia, to be stable and prosperous, we call on you to be additionally careful regarding the current developments in Serbia so that they be adequately presented in a new European Commission's report. Last but not least, we call on you to remind Serbia's authorities to fulfil its obligations unconditionally, ahead of the inevitable elections, the MEPs wrote.