Matthew Becker, Ph.D. – two-time FSU alumnus (B.S. Political Science ’07 & M.S. International Affairs ’09) – was nominated by the U.S. Department of State to serve as a member of the U.S. Delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as an international election observer for the June 2 local election. He served with the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ Election Observation Mission to Serbia, for the country’s June elections.
The OSCE employs a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. He was sent to the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, to observe elections in three regions near the borders of Hungary and Romania as a observer. Observers played a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of election processes, and their findings ultimately contributed to a report offering recommendations to ensure fair and effective democratic elections. Dr. Becker is well-versed in Western Balkan regional politics and security dynamics, speaks Serbian, and has an election administration background – making him an ideal candidate to serve as an observer in Serbia.
“The whole point of an observer is exactly what it sounds like – you observe,” Dr. Becker said. “You do not touch anything; you do not provide instructions; you cannot interfere.”
Dr. Becker visited ten polling stations, observing the entire electoral process from setup to vote counting and tabulation at a randomly selected local election commission.
“We have to show up 30 minutes prior to a poll opening,” Becker said. “We have to see them setting up and we have to confirm that the ballot box is empty, among other protocols. At the last polling station, we observe voting and closure followed by the counting of votes. We then go to a local election commission for overall tabulation from all polling stations.”
The resulting preliminary report, “Serbia, Local Elections, 2 June 2024: Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions,” stated that the local elections were “well administered” and “offered voters a wide range of political alternatives,” but that there were concerns about “widespread pressure on public sector employees, misuse of public resources and media bias in favour of the ruling coalition.”
“Serving was an honor and Vojvodina was a wonderful place to visit,” Becker said. “Serbian food was delicious, especially Vojvodina BBQ, manastirska piletina, Karadordeva snicla, and ajvar.”
In his time as a student here at Florida State, Becker completed three minors: Aerospace Studies, History, and International Affairs. He was also a member of Theta Chi Fraternity.
When asked about his most impactful experience as a student, he reflected on the Summer Study Abroad program he went on led by International Affairs Program Director Lee Metcalf, Ph.D., to Dubrovnik, Croatia.
“This experience led me to pursue my Ph.D. in Political Science, focusing on the Western Balkans and the wider Eastern European space,” Dr. Becker said.
He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Mississippi. Becker also served as a Boren Fellow in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has since created his own class and summer study abroad experience at Ole Miss, where he is a Research Associate.
His research focuses on the Western Balkans and Russia, including U.S. foreign policy and competition with Russia/China and Chinese/Russian influence operations in the region. He has also discussed U.S. national security issues in the Western Balkans as part of the National Security Lecture Series, hosted by the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies at the University of Mississippi.
For more information about the Department of Political Science at FSU, visit coss.fsu.edu/polisci. For more information about the International Affairs program, visit coss.fsu.edu/internationalaffairs.