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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Committee on Constitutional Affairs adopts bill to change Constitution

Belgrade, 16 April 2021

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic attended the 30^th session of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and Legislation of the Serbian parliament, at which the Bill on changing the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, proposed by the Serbian government, was adopted.

This marks the beginning of the procedure of changing the supreme legal act of the state.

The decision was made after it was established that the bill had been submitted by an authorised proposer and in the prescribed form, and after government representatives presented the reasons for changing the Constitution and the text of amendments which the Ministry of Justice prepared, as the starting point for changes.

The Committee will forward the bill to MPs who should adopt it by a two-third majority, after which public hearings and public discussions will follow.

Speaking at a press conference in the Serbian parliament, after the session of the Committee, Brnabic pointed out that it is necessary to reach the widest possible social consensus on constitutional amendments in the judiciary, and called on everyone to participate in that process as the Constitution concerns all of us.

She pointed out that the government, by sending the proposal to the Parliament, has practically finished its work, but that it remains at its disposal for everything that needs to be done during this complex procedure.

The constitutional amendments in the judiciary will ensure the equality of all citizens before the courts, but also that justice comes within a reasonable time, she explained and reiterated that it shows Serbia's deep, true commitment to European integration.

The Prime Minister once again called on all relevant associations, civil society organisations, citizens, local self-government, to participate in the process.

The Prime Minister assessed that the change of the Constitution in the field of justice could be completed in this convocation of the Parliament, and noted that it also depends on the social consensus.

Namely, as she pointed out, in addition to the consent of the Venice Commission, it is important to reach a social consensus in the direction that will ensure an efficient and independent judiciary.

Speaker of the Serbian parliament Ivica Dacic underlined that the Committee will have a key role in writing amendments and all this can be completed before the elections, explaining that changes to the Constitution will take place in this convocation until the elections or in a next convocation.

According to him, those changes, as well as the laws, cannot be transferred from one convocation to another.