Serbian Opposition Criticizes Church Law Changes, Voting Booth Proposals

Opposition members of the Serbian National Assembly sharply criticized proposed amendments to the Law on Churches and Religious Communities, asserting that the changes would grant the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) a privileged position in establishing a university. Additionally, they voiced strong objections to a new proposal for voting booths equipped with curtains, which they claim would enable electoral fraud.

During the parliamentary session, opposition lawmakers argued that the proposed amendments do not grant the SPC the right to establish a university, as it already possesses this right. Instead, they contend that the changes would bestow a "special privileged status" upon the SPC's future university. This would involve state co-founding, public funding, and special privileges, without the SPC needing to provide proof of founding capital or bank guarantees required of other non-state institutions. This situation was likened to a "Frankenstein SPC university" by one lawmaker.

Concerns were also raised regarding the introduction of voting booths with curtains instead of the current partitions. Opposition deputies alleged that the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) is preparing instructions to implement these curtained booths, contrary to the law. They believe this change aims to make it easier for the ruling party to conduct electoral fraud, specifically mentioning the "Bulgarian train" scheme and the photographing of ballots. The cost for these new booths was estimated at 700 million dinars.

In contrast, lawmakers from the ruling majority largely dedicated their speaking time to praising the proposed budget rebalance and President Aleksandar Vučić, highlighting his extensive activities. One opposition deputy accused the government of misleading citizens about fulfilling ODIHR and GRECO recommendations while preparing to "redraw the will of the citizens through theft, threats, blackmail, and coercion."

One parliamentary group announced its support for the amendments, stating they would enable the SPC to establish a university of special social significance, demonstrating the state's commitment to facilitating such endeavors.