Stefan Janjić, a Member of Parliament from the “Srbija Centar” (SRCE) party, has raised an alarm over newly updated drafts of judicial laws appearing on the Ministry of Justice website. These legislative proposals, colloquially known as “Mrdić’s Laws” (after MP Uglješa Mrdić), are intended to reform the judiciary but have faced fierce criticism from the opposition and international legal bodies.
In an interview with N1, Janjić characterized the new versions as “absolutely worse” than the previous iterations, suggesting the government has effectively entered an “open war with the European Union” over judicial independence.
Defiance of the Venice Commission
According to Janjić, the Serbian government has largely ignored the recommendations provided by the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional matters.
- Selective Adoption: Out of numerous recommendations, the government reportedly accepted only two—and even those were “interpreted in their own way.”
- Worsening Standards: Janjić argues that the remaining provisions have been altered to further consolidate political control over the judiciary rather than aligning with European standards.
- “The Failing Grade”: Using a school metaphor, Janjić described the primary author, Mrdić, as a “repeating student” who failed his makeup exam, potentially jeopardizing the legality of previously passed judicial frameworks.
Parliamentary Maneuvers: June Sessions and Delays
The timing of these laws entering the parliamentary procedure remains a subject of intense speculation and political maneuvering.
| Event | Status/Likely Timing | Context |
| Judicial Reform Debate | June 2026 | Likely to be discussed in one of the two planned June sessions. |
| Vote of Confidence | Delayed to Autumn | Originally expected in May; Janjić believes the government will push it to the regular autumn session to use as a “bargaining chip” for potential elections. |
| Regular Session End | May 31, 2026 | The constitutional deadline for the spring session. |
The Role of Ana Brnabić
Janjić expressed deep skepticism regarding the statements made by the Speaker of the House, Ana Brnabić. While the Collegium was informed on Monday about minimum session requirements for June, Janjić believes the parliamentary schedule is being manipulated to avoid a vote of confidence in the government while fast-tracking the controversial judicial laws.
Political Implications
The “Mrdić Laws” have become a flashpoint for Serbia’s EU accession process. Critics argue that if passed in their current form, they will institutionalize political influence over judges and prosecutors, moving Serbia further away from the “Rule of Law” requirements (Chapters 23 and 24) necessary for EU membership.
Janjić concluded that the current trajectory suggests the government is preparing to use the judicial and political deadlock as leverage for calling early elections in late 2026 or early 2027.
