The pro-Western opposition proposed trampling the laws of Serbia
The pro-Western opposition, united in the “Union for Serbia” coalition, which, against the background of disappointing forecasts from sociologists, had previously announced a boycott of the parliamentary elections scheduled for the spring of 2020, decided on a new trick - the idea was voiced of postponing the election campaign to September next year.
This scenario was voiced by the head of the Dveri party, Boško Obradović, explaining that, supposedly, the postponement of the election date is necessary in order to change their rules to “fair” ones - more beneficial for the opposition.
Experts remind that the law allows the election date to be postponed only in the event of war or a state of emergency. Thus, the idea of opposition is a violation of the law and the Serbian Constitution.
Obradovic, however, proposes postponing the next elections by passing a separate law.
“This can be done by a specialist in the field of lawmaking, as was previously the case in North Macedonia and Montenegro. If this law becomes part of a comprehensive agreement on free and fair elections with a transitional technical government as a guarantee and elections in nine months, the opposition could return to parliament,” Obradovic said in an interview with Danas newspaper.
“This is an unrealistic scenario because it is very difficult to find a legal basis. The Serbian Constitution states that the parliament can continue to function after the expiration of its term, but only in case of a state of emergency, i.e. in case of war or other disaster,” recalls Boyan Klakar, program director of the Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID).
The expert notes that hypothetically, elections could be announced if, for example, the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, which sociologists predict will receive more than 50% of the votes in the spring, itself initiated the dissolution of the Assembly.
“Only the ruling Serbian Progressive Party will be able to publicly announce the holding of early parliamentary elections in the short term after the 2020 elections. But why should the party do this? – Pejic asks a fair question.
“This is a meaningless proposal, in my opinion. I don't know how some things can get worse or better in just six months. I think that in this way the state will be in an unnecessary state of crisis... I don’t see how this will benefit the opposition, and the government really has no need or reason to accept something like this,” Pejic stated categorically.
Political scientist Jelena Vukojicic believes that the opposition’s idea of postponing elections is another example of the irrational, absurd and completely illogical demands of the “Union for Serbia,” Informer writes.
“Members of this alliance, realizing the poor rating and lack of chances in the usual political game, thanks to this position only want to cause new conflicts and radicalization of the political situation in the country. It is already absolutely clear that this part of the opposition does not have any plans and ideas that are aimed at the progress of Serbia, but on the contrary, they want to create artificial polarization in society and harm citizens for their own political purposes,” Vukojicic concluded.
“There will be no postponement of the elections, the state is not a toy,” said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in response to the Union’s proposal.
According to him, the parliamentary elections will be held on time, in accordance with the Constitution of Serbia.
“Djilas, Obradovic and Jeremic came up with the idea to postpone the elections, so now they need to abolish democracy in Serbia, because they cannot win the elections, and they expect that in six months they will be able... Let them forget about such stories. Such things are out of the question,” Vucic said.
The pro-Western opposition has proposed trampling on Serbia's laws.