(ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, MAY 7 - Observers from the OECD and the
Council of Europe have given a largely positive reaction to
yesterday's general election in Serbia, saying that citizens and
political parties had demonstrated "progress towards the
construction of full democracy", even though the electoral
process and the work of the media "are not yet completely
transparent".
Speaking in a press conference in Belgrade, the coordinator of the mission of OECD observers, the Italian MP Matteo Mecacci, said that yesterday's general election took place in a peaceful atmosphere, with all participants stating their belief that the election had been conducted properly and accepting the results. "I congratulate the Serbian people for this success," said Mecacci, who added that the election campaign had been open and competitive. "The great number of candidates in the running gave electors a wide choice, while the media talked of the various candidates, allowing voters to make a decision," Mecacci continued. "There remains, however, the problem of transparency within the media".
Jean-Charles Gardetto, representing observers from the Council of Europe, also reacted positively to the outcome of the vote. "We can say with some satisfaction that the parliamentary and presidential elections met the high standards of the Council of Europe," he said, underlining the complete freedom with which Serbian voters were able to express their preferences, choosing between a wide range of candidates from across the country's entire political spectrum. Gardetto noted that the general election had taken place professionally and calmly, but said that media coverage could have been more balanced. (ANSAmed).
Speaking in a press conference in Belgrade, the coordinator of the mission of OECD observers, the Italian MP Matteo Mecacci, said that yesterday's general election took place in a peaceful atmosphere, with all participants stating their belief that the election had been conducted properly and accepting the results. "I congratulate the Serbian people for this success," said Mecacci, who added that the election campaign had been open and competitive. "The great number of candidates in the running gave electors a wide choice, while the media talked of the various candidates, allowing voters to make a decision," Mecacci continued. "There remains, however, the problem of transparency within the media".
Jean-Charles Gardetto, representing observers from the Council of Europe, also reacted positively to the outcome of the vote. "We can say with some satisfaction that the parliamentary and presidential elections met the high standards of the Council of Europe," he said, underlining the complete freedom with which Serbian voters were able to express their preferences, choosing between a wide range of candidates from across the country's entire political spectrum. Gardetto noted that the general election had taken place professionally and calmly, but said that media coverage could have been more balanced. (ANSAmed).
