Opposition MP: Government plans to give security agency approval power over tax administration hires

Serbia's opposition is raising alarms over proposed legal changes that could grant significant influence to the country's security apparatus in civilian administration. Slobodan Cvejić, a vice president of the Serbia Center (SRCE) party and a national representative, alleges that the government intends to empower the Security Information Agency (BIA) with the authority to approve appointments within the tax administration.

Cvejić stated that the proposed amendments to the Law on Tax Administration would effectively allow the BIA to vet and approve individuals seeking employment in the tax service. This move, according to the opposition, represents a further consolidation of power by the ruling party and raises concerns about potential politicization of state institutions.

The opposition argues that such a measure could undermine the independence of the tax administration and open the door to politically motivated hiring decisions. They contend that sensitive state bodies should operate free from undue influence by security agencies, focusing instead on professional merit and operational autonomy.

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The government, through the Bill on Amendments to the Law on Tax Administration, foresees that the BIA gives consent for employment in the tax administration.