The Assembly to Debate No Confidence in the Government on Monday: Is Serbia Approaching Snap Elections?

The National Assembly of Serbia is scheduled to debate the opposition’s motion of no confidence in the Government of Serbia on Monday, July 27, bringing one of the most important political issues before MPs after months of postponement.

The motion of no confidence was submitted as early as February 13, signed by 62 opposition MPs from several parties and movements, including the People’s Movement of Serbia, the Freedom and Justice Party, the Green-Left Front, Serbia Center, Ecological Uprising, Movement of Free Citizens, and others.

The reasons cited for initiating the motion include the decision to lift protection from the General Staff complex, as well as the criminal proceedings against Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković.

Although the session was originally scheduled for April, the debate was never held. MPs from the ruling majority left the assembly hall at that time, resulting in a lack of quorum for parliamentary work, and even the next day, when the session formally continued, the opposition’s motion was not put up for debate.

A Vote That Could Influence the Calling of Elections

The session scheduled for Monday carries broader political significance beyond the vote of confidence in the Government itself.

Namely, as long as the procedure in the Assembly is ongoing, the Government of Serbia cannot submit a proposal to the President of the Republic to dissolve the National Assembly. This effectively means that snap parliamentary elections, if called in this way, cannot be formally initiated before the end of this session.

If a majority of MPs were to vote no confidence in the Government, a 30-day period would begin for the election of a new executive authority. If a new Government is not formed within that period, conditions would be met for calling snap parliamentary elections.

The other possibility for going to elections is the resignation of the Prime Minister. In that case as well, the National Assembly would have 30 days to elect a new cabinet, and if it fails to do so, the parliament would be dissolved and elections called.

According to the law, the election campaign for parliamentary elections lasts between 45 and 60 days.

Turković for SNM: The Government Wants Elections as Soon as Possible

Obrad Turković, Vice President of the Executive Board of the Freedom and Justice Party, stated in an interview with Serbian News Media that a potential loss of confidence in the Government would mark the beginning of a political process with long-term consequences for Serbia.

– If the Government truly loses confidence in the Assembly, Serbia will enter an electoral process that will determine the country’s political direction in the coming years – said Turković.

He believes that the timing of the session was not chosen by chance.

– In my opinion, the decision to initiate the entire process in the middle of summer is not accidental. The authorities clearly believe that time is not on their side. The social crisis has lasted for months, scandals are emerging almost daily, and there are increasing indications that the SNS is weakening organizationally, as can be seen from the problems it faces on the ground, especially in smaller communities. That is why I believe that they favor holding elections as soon as possible, before they lose further political support, he said.

Speaking about the possible electoral process, Turković emphasizes that voter turnout will play a decisive role.

– The key to success for all those seeking a change of government will be high voter turnout. The more people who go to the polls, the greater the chances that the political will of the citizens will truly be reflected in the election results. That is precisely why I believe that high turnout is the greatest fear of Aleksandar Vučić and the Serbian Progressive Party, said Turković.

He expects the upcoming political period to be extremely turbulent.

– I have no illusions that this will be an easy electoral contest. I expect a dirty campaign, abuse of state resources, and numerous attempts to influence the electoral will of the citizens. But I also believe that this can be overcome. If all opposition and social actors who seek change cooperate, if everyone does their part, and if citizens turn out in large numbers, I am convinced that no machinery is stronger than the clearly expressed will of the people. These elections are not just a fight for a change of government, but for restoring citizens’ faith that their vote can truly change Serbia, Turković concluded.

What Can Be Expected in the Assembly?

Although the opposition believes there are grounds for the Government’s dismissal, the final outcome of the vote will depend on the balance of power in parliament, where the ruling coalition still holds a majority.

Regardless of the result, the session could be one of the most politically significant events of this summer, as it will, for the first time in months, open a parliamentary debate on the Government’s accountability and provide clearer indications of whether Serbia is indeed closer to snap parliamentary elections.