A bipartisan group of American senators has warned Serbian authorities to ensure free and fair conditions ahead of the October 25 parliamentary elections. They cited alarming reports of police pressure on opposition candidates, unlawful surveillance, and voter intimidation across the country.
Senators Demand Clean Ballot
Seven influential American lawmakers released a joint statement calling on the ruling party and all relevant institutions in Serbia to guarantee a peaceful, open, and transparent electoral process ahead of the October 25 parliamentary elections. The statement brings together prominent members from both sides of the aisle.
The group comprises Democratic senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Republican senators Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Chuck Grassley, Joni Ernst of Iowa, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina joined them.
Senator Grassley, alongside Democrat Richard Blumenthal, previously introduced the “SERBIA” bill in the Senate criticizing the current administration in Belgrade. Republican Congressman Joe Wilson introduced a corresponding measure in the House of Representatives.
We call on the ruling party and all relevant institutions to ensure a peaceful, free, and open course for the upcoming elections,
U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Roger Wicker, Dick Durbin, Chuck Grassley, Chris Murphy, Joni Ernst, and Thom Tillis said according to Radio Free Europe.
Monitors Log Intimidation
Election monitors have logged multiple instances of voter intimidation, the misuse of administrative resources to benefit the ruling party, and police pressure directed against opposition candidates. According to findings from the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability, known as CRTA, the campaign unfolds in a hostile environment for civil society and opposition parties. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights also reported concerns, and CRTA noted that the current campaign differs from any electoral process the organization has monitored previously.
Lawmakers expressed particular alarm over reports of unlawful wiretapping targeting opposition politicians. They also noted deliberate efforts to discredit independent election monitoring missions.
These concerns closely mirror structural flaws identified by international observers following the previous parliamentary elections in 2022. Independent monitors note that the ruling Srpska napredna stranka has yet to remedy those shortcomings.
Voter Registry Draws Fire
Independent reporting indicates that more than half a million voters are currently listed without precisely recorded addresses in the registry files. Opposition representatives and independent observers continue to question the accuracy of the voter registry.
The American legislators emphasized in their joint declaration that Washington has long supported Serbia’s path toward Euro-Atlantic integration and recognized its potential to reinforce stability across the Western Balkans. Senators stressed that a functional, strong democracy is foundational to achieving those regional goals.
The upcoming vote features former Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić heading the United Serbia list. Its primary rival is considered the Students’ List, which emerged from student protests demanding accountability for the collapse of the railway station canopy in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024.