Early elections in Serbia

Last Friday Belgrade news agency Tanjug asked some questions. My answers were published today:

Q: There is a possibility for the early parliamentary elections to take place in Serbia early in 2016. At the national level, it is said that the reason behind holding the early elections is to once again legitimize the government’s reform policy. Which are, in your opinion, the aspects relating to holding the early elections that would be in line with the policy and interests of the EU and the US in Serbia?

A: Serbia has a constitution. So long as the procedures in that are followed, I don’t think either the EU or the US has a problem with early elections. If they in addition consolidate support for reform, that would be welcome in Brussels and Washington. But of course in a real democracy there is no guarantee that the election outcome will be what foreigners prefer. It is up to the citizens of Serbia to determine the outcome.

Q: Are there tendencies from abroad to reduce the impact of the Russian Federation on the Serbian government taking into consideration the closeness of individual political parties/partners to Russia?

A: Yes. Belgrade both historically and at present is closer to Moscow than Westerners think appropriate for a country that aspires to EU membership. Certainly Brussels and Washington would be happier if Serbia conformed its policies with EU sanctions on Russia. Many European countries have in the past maintained good relations with Russia. But Moscow’s current behavior in Ukraine and Syria makes that far more difficult than in the recent past.

Q: What kind of government Serbia needs in the light of international cooperation and assignments that need to be carried out in the course of the EU integration and addressing the Kosovo issue? Which political ideas in Serbia, aside from the ones that are promoted by the Serbian Progressive Party led by Prime Minister Vucic, are acceptable for the international community?

A: Serbia needs whatever government its leaders negotiate, based on the vote of its citizens. That’s the way parliamentary systems work. Anyone who is truly committed to democracy—including a free press and an independent judiciary—will find a warm welcome in the EU and US. They will also welcome any government committed to continuing with serious normalization of relations with Kosovo.

Q: What is in your opinion the goal of a possible government reshuffle, that is the change of the coalition partners of the Serbian Progressive Party, which according to opinion polls will certainly win a majority vote and thereby the mandate to form the government?

A: I try to stay out of other peoples’ government reshuffles. It is well-known in Serbia which parties and leaders are friendlier with Moscow and which are more aligned with Brussels and Washington. But Brussels and Washington don’t get to vote, only to continue to try to influence Belgrade’s policies in a way that makes European Union membership the outcome.