Serbian Parliament President Ana Brnabić criticized parts of the judiciary, claiming that some judges and prosecutors behave as if they are “above the people” and independent from the Constitution. Her remarks come amid long-standing concerns from critics that President Aleksandar Vučić and the ruling SNS are attempting to consolidate control over the judiciary and other state institutions.
Speaking to TV Prva, Brnabić framed these claims in the context of ongoing debates over amendments and changes to Serbia’s judiciary laws. She argued that many opponents of these reforms had previously opposed constitutional amendments aimed at increasing judicial independence and had encouraged a boycott of the referendum that approved them.
“All those who today accuse President Aleksandar Vučić and the SNS of pressuring the judiciary were, at the time, against the constitutional amendments and called for a boycott of the referendum. If anyone fought for an independent prosecution and judiciary, it was Vučić. Others were seeking to maintain political influence in hopes of returning to power, controlling judicial appointments at the local level,” Brnabić said.
However, critics argue that Brnabić’s statements obscure the reality of a judiciary under increasing pressure from the executive branch. Over the past years, reports by international organizations, including the European Commission and the Council of Europe, have highlighted a pattern of political influence, attacks on independent judges, and intimidation of prosecutors in Serbia. Observers note that statements by the president and ruling party officials often target judicial officials involved in high-profile cases against regime allies, effectively undermining the independence of the judiciary.
Brnabić emphasized that the constitutional amendments increased accountability within the judiciary, and that Vučić’s statements calling on judges and prosecutors to provide explanations were not pressure, but reminders of their duties to the public.
“They must provide information and answers to the public, even if some believe they are above the people,” she stated.
Opposition figures and legal experts, however, argue that the real issue is Vučić’s ongoing effort to control the courts and key prosecutorial offices, turning judicial oversight into a tool of the ruling party. Brnabić also criticized what she called “blockaders,” including members of the academic community and opposition parties, accusing them of fostering societal divisions and hatred. Yet, some observers see these remarks as part of a broader strategy to delegitimize independent voices and justify executive interference.
“Some have advocated stripping him of the right to vote. This is unprecedented anywhere else in the world,” she said.
The ongoing tension underscores the challenges facing Serbia’s rule of law: while the government claims reforms are meant to strengthen judicial accountability, opposition and international observers warn that the Vučić regime is actively trying to capture the state and manipulate judicial processes for political gain.
