Elections to be held in Serbia on June 21: No big rallies in May, epidemiologists get involved

The Serbian president announced that an agreement was reached at a meeting with representatives of political parties

A meeting between President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and Assembly President Maja Gojkovic has been held at the Palace of Serbia with representatives of political parties that announced their participation in parliamentary elections.

The president of Serbia announced after the meeting that an agreement had been reached to hold parliamentary elections in Serbia on June 21.

"We accommodated those parties who wanted to spend those few extra days preparing for the elections. So the elections in Serbia will be on June 21. What exists as a problem for one portion of political parties is the availability of notaries. All nine lists that have already collected signatures agreed that, in addition to notaries, municipal registrars can also verify those signatures," said Vucic.

This will shorten the duration of the whole process as the number of notaries is limited.

What is certain is that there will be no political rallies in May, at least not large ones held indoors, and as the Serbian president said, he will consult professionals about June, after which a decision will be made.

It was also agreed to issue guidance in consultation with epidemiologists on how to ensure safe conduct of election activities at the beginning of the election process.

"I wish all the participants a good campaign, success in the elections, that they be satisfied with their work and the opportunity to present their plans and programs," was the message of Vucic, who asked for solidarity and fairplay.

All representatives of parties that announced their participation in elections were present

Among others, the meeting was attended by SPS leader Ivica Dacic, New Party president Zoran Zivkovic, Assembly member Muamer Zukorlic, JS leader Dragan Markovic Palma, Bojan Kostres from LSV, Marko Djurisic, representing UDS.

SRS was represented by Assembly member Aleksandar Seselj, DSS by its leader Milos Jovanovic; member of the Metla Movement Presidency Novica Antic was also there, as well as a representative of the Zavetnici movement, Milica Djurdjevic, and Aleksandar Sapic on behalf of SPAS.

Representatives of SVM Istvan and Balint Pastor, Milan Stamatovic from Healthy Serbia, as well as representatives of the Movement "1 out of 5 million" also attended.

President Vucic said previously that elections could be held on June 14 or 21, and confirmed that he would discuss this with opposition representatives.

He said on Saturday that there are clear constitutional and legal deadlines for holding elections which must be respected.

Parliamentary elections in Serbia were called on March 4 and citizens were supposed to vote on April 26. However, due to the coronavirus epidemic, a state of emergency was introduced on March 15 and two days later, a meeting between President Vucic and party representatives resulted in an agreement to suspend all electoral activities during the epidemic.

(Telegraf.rs)