Democratic Party Leader: Elections on June 2 Will Be Neither Free nor Fair, nor Will There Be a Boycott

Zoran Lutovac (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC/MO)

Democratic Party president Zoran Lutovac said on April 30 that "judging by how things are, there will be neither free nor fair elections on June 2, nor a boycott."

In an opinion piece for the nova.rs website, he said that there were no true elections without normal electoral conditions nor could there be a boycott without a general boycott by all relevant actors at all levels. "Serbia Against Violence is not united, and that is a prerequisite for the success of the boycott or success in the 'elections.' For the boycott to succeed, a general boycott is needed, while for success in elections, regardless of their nature, the broadest possible political and social alliance is needed and a joint and widely accepted candidate for mayor," he said.

He said that without unity there could be no successful boycott nor elections, and that without unity the Serbia Against Violence coalition "lacks the key requisite for the success of any scenario." "Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened. The coalition dissolved and a scenario that leads away from success has happened: some are for running in the election and others do not support running in elections in Belgrade," Lutovac added.

The Democratic Party leader said that, in the end, all the parties of the former Serbia Against Violence coalition would be running in the elections, but some would not run in elections in Belgrade and several other cities and municipalities.