Serbian Assembly resumes work after a break

Despite the fact that the President of the Assembly Gojkovic promised the aborted session on 1st March would continue immediately after the presidential election held on 2nd April, she is still reluctant to re-open the Parliament.

“The protests have not been reported to the police in accordance with the law, and I cannot be responsible for what may happen or for protesters’ unauthorized entering into the Assembly. I think it is too much to ask from one woman,” said Gojkovic on Friday.

In March, Gojkovic announced her decided to stop the work of the Assembly, justifying that it could be abused during the presidential campaign. After the presidential election had finished, Gojkovic said that she was reluctant to re-open the Assembly because the protests over pre-election campaign and general conditions in Serbian society are held in front of the Parliament.

Protest walks in Belgrade usually start in front of the Assembly, and one of the protesters’ demands is Maja Gojkovic’s resignation.

The protests in Serbia started on 3rd April, a day after the presidential elections in which the current Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic won 55 percent of the popular vote. The protesters are dissatisfied with the pre-election campaign and general situation in Serbian society. 

The opposition parliamentary parties announced on Monday that they will also request Gojkovic’s resignation from office because she blocked the work of the Assembly and abused her position to control the Government.

“We have to defend the Parliament and public institutions. Otherwise, we will slide into a complete dictatorship. Since day one, we have believed that Maja Gojkovic is not fit for the position of President of the Assembly,” the opposition Democratic Party stated on Monday.

Serbian Prime Minister and President-elect Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday that he is uncertain whether Serbia will have another snap parliamentary election or not. PM Vucic indicated a possibility of another election by saying that “it is not possible to work in chaos.” Serbia held parliamentary elections in 2012, 2014, and 2016. The Serbian Progressive Party won the majority of votes in all of them.

Resignation of Gojkovic is also demanded by the parliamentary movement “Enough is Enough,” party Dveri (Doors), and several independent members of the Parliament.

The head of the parliamentary group of Serbian Progressive Party and Gojkovic’s party colleague, Aleksandar Martinovic, said on Tuesday that the opposition can dismiss her from the position if they get enough votes to do so.

Milivoje Pantovic