Đilas: We criticize not people, but a decision leaving Vučić control over REM

Dragan Đilas, president of the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), has voiced strong criticism regarding the formation of Serbia's Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM). Đilas argues that the decision to proceed with a REM that does not include all nine independent members is fundamentally flawed and will prevent it from making crucial decisions.

According to Đilas, even if a few independent members were to highlight irregularities in electronic media operations, their messages would likely reach only those who already have access to specific television channels. He contends that this outcome does not represent the change Serbia needs or the REM that the country requires.

The SSP leader stated that his party has opposed the REM's formation based on a "market principle" of allocating seats since the process began. He previously warned civil sector representatives that insisting on all nine independent members was essential, emphasizing that a REM lacking a full composition would be incapable of making any significant decisions.

Đilas welcomed the resignations of four elected REM members last year, which he believes prevented the formation of a "fake REM" and presented Aleksandar Vučić with a challenge, especially given the European Union's insistence on a regular regulatory body. However, he now criticizes the change of stance by these members, asserting that if they genuinely wish to uphold the law, they should immediately submit their resignations again. He points out that the ninth member has still not been elected, despite two qualified candidates being proposed by the relevant committee.

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Stranka slobode i pravde se od prvog dana procesa izbora Saveta REM-a protivila da se on formira po pijačnom principu „naših toliko, vaših toliko“. Upozoravali smo predstavnike civilnog sektora, predvođene gospođom Majom Stojanović, da treba insistirati na REM-u sa svih devet nezavisnih članova.