Biljana Đorđević, co-chair of Serbia’s Green-Left Front (Zeleno-levi front – ZLF), has argued that the scheduling of a parliamentary debate on a no-confidence motion against the Serbian government demonstrates how the ruling majority adapts state institutions to serve its own political interests rather than the needs of citizens.
Speaking to N1 television on Friday, Đorđević said the no-confidence debate should have been held during the regular parliamentary session, which she noted was scheduled to continue on April 15.
“This is actually a session that should have taken place during the regular sitting. It could have been held as early as March 1, when the regular session began, but there was no quorum because the ruling majority refused to provide one. They kept avoiding the completion of the session,” she said.
Đorđević said she expects the parliamentary debate on the no-confidence motion to last several days, arguing that the reasons for dismissing the government have only increased over time.
She added that opposition lawmakers intend to revisit the original grounds for submitting the motion, including allegations surrounding Culture Minister Nikola Selaković’s role in the controversial Generalštab case.
“We requested this no-confidence debate to address Minister Selaković’s role in the Generalštab case, including alleged criminal offenses and pressure on employees at cultural heritage institutions to remove the protected status of the General Staff building. Since then, a series of additional scandals has occurred,” Đorđević said.
Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić has convened an extraordinary parliamentary session for July 27, with the proposed vote of no confidence in the government as the sole item on the agenda.
The extraordinary session was called following a request signed by 109 members of parliament and is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.
The initial motion seeking a vote of no confidence in the government was submitted in February by 62 opposition lawmakers.
