Gov't proposes that Serbian president dissolve parliament and call elections

BELGRADE - The Serbian government on Monday adopted a proposal, and submitted it to the president of the Republic, that the National Assembly be dissolved and elections for MPs called.

"In the explanatory notes, Prime Minister Professor Djuro Macut, MD, DSc, stated that, in the period following the elections held on December 17 2023, political stakeholders had been given the opportunity to put forward proposals aimed at further improving electoral conditions and electoral legislation in the Republic of Serbia and that, taking into account the views expressed, particularly the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, these conditions had been further and significantly improved in Serbia," a government statement said.

"Holding new parliamentary elections under these circumstances would ensure a higher degree of democracy, reduce tensions arising between opposing sides in society, reject exclusivity and hate speech and promote the right to freely express opinions and views on certain political, economic and other issues, including further promotion of European values, according to the explanatory notes," Macut was quoted as saying.

"Accordingly, and particularly taking into account the fact that there are calls among a part of the public for new, early parliamentary elections, the Government proposes that the President of the Republic dissolve the National Assembly and call elections for members of parliament," he concluded.

Macut proposes dissolution of parliament, calling of elections

BELGRADE - At an extraordinary government session, Serbian PM Djuro Macut proposed a dissolution of the national parliament and the calling of parliamentary elections.

"Elections have never been a sign of the state's weakness. Elections are proof of the unbreakable strength of a democratic Serbia that has unreserved trust in its people. And we believe the citizens of Serbia, we believe in a united Serbia. That is why I propose that the Government of the Republic of Serbia, in line with the Constitution, proposes to the president of the Republic to dissolve the National Assembly and call elections for MPs," Macut said in an address at the session.

Elections are an opportunity to strengthen institutions, defuse tensions and reject a policy of exclusiveness, as well as to get political struggle beck into institutions, he said.

Macut said that, until the election of the next government, his cabinet would continue to perform its duties with the same energy, sense of responsibility and pace, as well as to achieve the set goals and contribute to Serbia's further progress.

"Because a term has an end, but responsibility towards the state exists every day. I am confident that, in the future, too, the government will continue on the path it has paved," Macut noted.