Brnabić calls Belgrade City Assembly election. Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić called elections for the Belgrade City Assembly for 2 June despite an opposition demand for all local elections to be held on the same date. The opposition is demanding concurrent local elections in 88 cities and municipalities including Belgrade’s 17 municipalities along with the City Assembly elections. Under the law, those local elections can be held on 9 June at the earliest. In order for them to held a week earlier, as the opposition demanded, the law on local elections needs to be amended, for which there is still limited time. (RTS (Serbian), 3 April 2024)
Two meetings of the ruling and opposition parties fail to produce an agreement on electoral conditions, opposition ready to boycott Belgrade election. The ruling parties accepted opposition’s demands regarding the access to voter registry and the reporting of the public broadcaster “in principle”, but the details are still contested. Meanwhile, the ruling party refused the demand to hold all local elections on the same day. Opposition announced it could boycott the upcoming Belgrade election on 2 June if nothing changes. (Nova.rs (Serbian), 3 April 2024)
Right-wing nationalist “Zavetnici” to join the ruling coalition’s list for the Belgrade election. “Zavetnici”, which ran in December election as opposition to the SNS-SPS government, is now expected to join their list in Belgrade. Running in coalition with “Dveri”, “Zavetnici” failed to cross the 3% threshold nationally and in Belgrade. The relations between “Zavetnici” and SNS started to warm shortly after the December elections. Earlier, it was announced that the junior coalition parter SPS will for the first time be on the same list with SNS in Belgrade. (N1 (Serbian), 2 April 2024)
Miloš Vučević named as Prime Minister designate. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on 30 March nominated his close ally Milos Vučević to succeed Ana Brnabić as Prime Minister. The nomination comes more than three months after their party, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), won the most votes in a national election on 17 December. Vučević took over leadership of the party after Vučić stepped down last year. A lawyer by profession, Vučević was Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister in the previous government. (Euractiv, 31 March 2024)
Serbia to set up a team for campaign against Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić ordered the Serbian Government to form a team that will lead a campaign against Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe because a decision on this matter is expected on 16 or 17 May. “Despite the strong supporters of Pristina’s independence, I still think we have a small chance and that is why I am asking you to fight stronger than ever,” said Vučić. He added there is a possibility that even some countries that have recognized Kosovo’s independence won’t feel positively about Kosovo’s membership in the CoE. (Insajder (Serbian), 4 April 2024)
Lajčak says some progress achieved with chief negotiators. European Union Special Representative Miroslav Lajčak said that some progress was achieved in bringing closer the stands of the chief negotiators from Belgrade and Pristina. They discussed ways to resolve problems following the Kosovo central bank decision to make the Euro the only legal currency. Lajčak said that he plans to continue the discussions soon based on the EU’s ideas for a compromise. (Tanjug (Serbian), 4 April 2024)
Vučić meets with U.S. Ambassador. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić discussed the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue with U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill. “I reiterated the consistent position of Serbia which continues to invest every effort in order to find a tenable solution to protecting the Serb population of Kosovo and Metohija and preserving its national interests,” Vučić said. He added they confirmed the determination to continue promoting Serbian-American relations. (N1 Belgrade, 3 April 2024)