The opposition party Serbia Centre (SRCE) stated that the urgent opinion issued by the Venice Commission is not merely a legal advisory document, but confirmation that the current authorities attempted an “institutional coup” against Serbia’s judiciary.
The Venice Commission, the advisory body of the Council of Europe on constitutional matters, published an urgent opinion on amendments to five Serbian laws regulating the judiciary and public prosecution service. It issued seven key recommendations aimed at addressing shortcomings that, according to the body, undermine safeguards for prosecutorial autonomy and judicial independence.
SRCE argued that what the government presented as judicial reform has been assessed by the Venice Commission as a mechanism that could allow political influence over courts and prosecutors. The party further claimed that the proposed legal changes represent an attempt to centralize control over key judicial institutions.
In its statement, SRCE announced that it will demand legal accountability for those involved in drafting the contested legislation and called for the withdrawal of the proposed laws. The party also demanded the reinstatement of previously removed prosecutors and the reversal of institutional changes affecting specialized prosecution offices.
The Venice Commission’s recommendations are expected to guide further discussions on the alignment of Serbia’s judicial reforms with European standards.
