The Serbian legislature on Tuesday approved a referendum on January 16 on constitutional amendments that would depoliticize the appointment of prosecutors and judges to qualify Serbia for possible accession to the European Union. The amendments would give power to elect senior members of the judiciary from Parliament to a High Council of Justice and a High Council of Prosecutors.
The referendum was supported by 193 members of the coalition of President Aleksandar Vucic in the 250-seat parliament and will take place on January 16, Ivica Dacic, parliament spokesman and chairman of the co-ruling socialists, told reporters. “It is in the best interests (of the Serbian people) to confirm this decision … (which) will be a big step forward on Serbia’s path to the EU,” said Dacic.
The country in the Western Balkans is a candidate for EU membership, but to achieve this goal it must strengthen the independence of the judiciary and improve the rule of law. Last week, the Council of Europe, the EU’s legal guardian, said its constitutional advisory body concluded that most of the proposed changes were made in line with its recommendations.
The referendum will be held according to a new referendum law that abolishes a minimum participation of 50%. This law has been condemned by environmental groups who said it could be used by the government to give foreign mining companies a free hand in the country.
(This story was not edited by Devdiscourse staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
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