The PES finds deeply worrying the constant media attacks and false accusations against the S&D MEP Andreas Schieder carried by Serbian authorities lately. The President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and the country’s prime minister Ana Brnabić are accusing Schieder of subjectively reporting irregularities during the general election in Serbia held on 17 December this year.
PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:
“Andreas Schieder, MEP was in Serbia as part of the European Parliament’s election observation mission. He reported on violation claims that he encountered during this mission. By accusing Schieder of malicious reports Serbian Authorities are undermining the trust of the Serbian people in democracy and civil rights that the European Union is there to protect.”
During the European Parliament’s election observation mission in Serbia, Andreas Schieder found credible reports on election violations and on behalf of the S&D group in the EP called for an independent investigation into all reported irregularities.
The election controversy sparked violent protests around Serbia, especially in Belgrade. The PES calls on all sides to seek a peaceful and democratic solution to the situation.
The PES has always been supportive of the European future of Serbia and the Western Balkans and believes that deepening the democratic process in the region will only benefit Serbia and its citizens.
