Prime Minister Macut proposes dissolving parliament

Serbia’s Prime Minister Đuro Macut has proposed dissolving the National Assembly and holding early parliamentary elections, saying the country needs a democratic response to prolonged tensions and calls for a new vote.

Speaking at an emergency government session, Macut said he had taken responsibility for the government during one of the most difficult political and social periods in recent years. He cited protests, blockades, deep divisions, problems in education and pressure on institutions. The government’s priority, he said, had been to preserve state stability, keep institutions operating and prevent Serbia from coming to a standstill.

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Serbia faced protests, blockades, deep divisions, problems in education and great pressure on institutions.

Macut said the authorities had also worked to improve electoral conditions and legislation, taking into account the views of political actors and recommendations from the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. “A government that has concrete results and actions behind it is never afraid of the judgment of its people,” he said.

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A government that has concrete results and actions behind it is never afraid of the judgment of its people.

He added that demands for early parliamentary elections had been heard for some time in part of the public. Ignoring them, he said, would be irresponsible. A new vote could reduce tensions, end an exhausting cycle of disputes and remove doubts about the public’s will. He then formally proposed that the government ask the president to dissolve parliament and call elections.

The proposal is a required step before early parliamentary elections can be called. President Aleksandar Vučić previously said elections would be held on October 18 or 25 and called no later than September 9 or 10. Serbian law gives the president the power to call parliamentary elections, which must take place between 45 and 60 days after they are announced. The ruling Serbian Progressive Party has chosen Vučić to lead the United Serbia list and serve as its prime-ministerial candidate if it wins.

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If we want to reduce tensions in society, break out of the cycle of exhausting disputes and remove any doubt about the people’s will, there is no more democratic and stronger response than asking the citizens again.