Serbian President objects to Austrian MEP leading EU election monitoring mission

Ahead of Serbia’s early parliamentary vote, President Ana Brnabić sent a letter to EU Parliament president Roberta Metsola accusing SPÖ MEP Andreas Schieder, the head of the EU election-monitoring delegation, of political bias and breaching observer conduct rules. Schieder, who has openly criticized former President Aleksandar Vučić’s administration, described the complaint as an unprecedented assault on the mission. The Serbian president also questioned the impartiality of fellow delegate Helmut Brandstätter.

Austrian lawmakers Lukas Mandl and Brandstätter defended Schieder, arguing Austria’s support for the Western Balkans makes him a suitable choice. The letter arrives as Vučić, now leading the United Serbia coalition, runs in the snap election against a student-led anti-corruption list, with polls suggesting a tight race.