Vučić: OSCE and ODIHR knew in advance that the opposition would not recognize the election results

On December 26, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić asked the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Serbia, Jan Bratu, as well as the head of the ODIHR Mission (OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights), "why they are hiding from the international public that they knew in advance that the opposition in Serbia would not recognize the election results".

He asked the question during a tour of works on the construction of a high-speed road near Bački Brego.

"Were they told and who told them, and we know who and when, that regardless of the fact that they knew what the election results would be, we all have research, that they would not recognize the election results? I know that those people were shocked and I ask them why they hid it from the public," said Vučić.

Vučić said he was proud of the "restrained behavior of the police" during the protest in front of the Belgrade City Assembly on December 24.

Almost 40 demonstrators were arrested during a protest by the opposition coalition "Serbia Against Violence" on December 24, after a group of masked people tried to enter the Belgrade Assembly.

On that occasion, the windows and front doors were broken, while the police who were inside the building used tear gas and pepper spray. The police said that seven police officers were injured in the incidents.

The coalition "Serbia against violence" announced that the incidents at the opposition protest in Belgrade on Sunday were caused by "hooligans sent by the government".

The opposition has been protesting since the December 17 election, accusing the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of election theft, including by fictitiously registering its voters from Serbia and abroad at addresses in Belgrade.

The Republic Election Commission (REC) announced on December 24 that the line ministries checked the voter lists and determined that the claims of the coalition "Serbia against violence" that the number of voters with the right to vote in the Belgrade elections was artificially increased in order to influence the outcome of the elections were "not true".

On the same day, the President of Serbia stated that the voting took place in a democratic atmosphere and that it was "the most peaceful ever in modern history".

ODIHR announced on December 18 that the elections were marked by serious irregularities, misuse of public funds, media dominance of the President of the State Aleksandar Vučić, negative campaign and spreading of fear.

Part of the MEPs called for an independent investigation of all reported irregularities during the elections held in Serbia on December 17.

The US State Department called on the authorities in Serbia to cooperate with the OSCE mission in investigating allegations of electoral irregularities.

Serbian citizens voted on December 17 in parliamentary, provincial and local elections in 65 cities and municipalities, including Belgrade.

SNS declared victory at all levels.