MEPs to Present Working Document on Election Conditions

Ivica Dacic (BETAPHOTO/EMIL VAS/EV)

Mediators from the European Parliament in the inter-party dialogue on election conditions in Serbia will on Sept. 3 present to parliament speaker Ivica Dacic a document they have put together for improving election conditions, daily Danas has learned.

According to the daily's unofficial information from western diplomatic sources, Dacic will be asked to take a stand on the document which, if he approves it, will be sent to the ruling and opposition parties involved in the dialogue.

Danas reports that there is speculation as to the possibility of Dacic not giving an answer immediately, but rather in a few days, after consultations with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

"In some European Union member states Dacic is perceived as a liaison officer of sorts between the EP and Vucic, even though he is officially the chief negotiator of the Belgrade authorities in this important dialogue," Danas' source said.

The daily says that it is believed the authorities in Serbia will agree to the "topics and suggestions" the MEPs have listed in the document because "Vucic wants the EU to get the impression that he is ready to make significant concessions to the opposition for participation in the elections." But some in the EU note that there will not be enough time to implement essential reforms of the electoral system in Serbia by the time the elections roll around, the source added.