Opposition scornful of Tadić plans

Mr. Tadic seems to be addicted to being interviewed at least once a week. Whether he has something to say or not - is of no relevance.
(Paula Isaacsson, 30 April 2009 11:55)

Paula,

I don't know about your country of origin but in mine (Scotland) and also in the country I currently reside most heads of state give regular interviews. It's called politics and has been around for centuries.

Visiting a news site usually ends up with news stories, strange I know but a reality. So if reading these interviews upsets you so much that you feel the need to comment I suggest you find another type of site that maybe has a less political leaning.

Pozdrav iz Bahrainu

Tadic may be too concerned about his personal ratings, but the policy is the issue.

What I expect from the opposition is proposed alternatives to what Tadic said. In short does the opposition think the current system is effective? (because the Serbian people do not)

So does the opposition support reducing the number of MP's. Does it believe the electoral system should be reformed and if so, in what way?

For as long as we have an opposition that is unable to come up with real policies - rather than just reacting (opposing) to whatever the government says, they will have little chance of beating the current government.

alban

Ha ha ha! You should have become a scriptwriter for Hollywood movies. Your immagination is out of this world. You actually think that everything in Serbian politics has to do with Kosovo? I think Tadic is kind of happy with the current situation in Kosovo. EULEX is protecting Serbs and their holy land until such time that Serbia will get back control of it's territory. Instead of having to deal with uncontrolable birth rates amonst Albanians in Kosovo, high unemployment, crime, human trafficing, etc etc Tadic can concentrate on improving the standard in the rest of Serbia. Serbias condition to join EU is for EU to withdraw its recognition. You think we will sell our souls just to get in the EU? Serbia is not as poor as Albanian to have no other choice.

Bganon, except for the radicals I think the opposition is reacting this way because Tadic mentioned this before andd it's something that I believe most of the opposition (bar the Radicals, the LDP and all the essentially unelected parties who latch themselves onto Tadic's coalition like a parasite would oppose).

Afterall in 2001 the DSS proposed regionalization, but people forget this since DSS doesn't want to make it's self seem like a party that would give in to VOjvodina regionalists.

Not only that but decentralization is soemthing that essentially all parties give lip service to in their platforms.

Anyways. I think this is a set-up for elections. Tiny parties demand concessions to keep the government a float, and so long as these parties are present constiutional change is impossible.

DS and SNS have indicated they could form a government after the next elections. Given that the latest polls suggest the two would get 60%+ of the seats without Tadic going into coalition with minor parties.

Regarding constiutional changes it's quite simple.
- No autonomy to any region. All regions should have the same level of autonomy.
- Unlike know where an extraconstitutional statute must be passed to define Vojvodina's powers these powers should specifically be defined constiutionally.
- Laws regarding municipal powers should be changed.
- The parliament should consist of 1 seat per 65,000 registered voters in the lwoer house and 3 seats per region + 1 for Beograd in the upper house.

Tadic sees the writing in the wall, Kosova is a condition for EU. He is starting to talk about changing it and then slip the Kosova line removal in the last minute. Everyone knows Serbia can;t enter EU when Kosova is recognized by 22/27 EU countries (after ICJ probably all will recognize!)

Tadic is preparing Serbia, after all Serbs voted for EU, Tadic will explain the conditions. France, Uk, Germany and US want ZERO to do with Jeremic, guess why?

Mr. Tadic seems to be addicted to being interviewed at least once a week. Whether he has something to say or not - is of no relevance.

I think Tadic is kind of happy with the current situation in Kosovo.
(MikeC, 30 April 2009 14:00)

Not disputing the fact that Alban’s comment is a bit far fetched you should follow the simple rule:
When you are referring to ones comment as a script for Hollywood movie you should not do the same.
What we have now MikeC is two scripts. Alban’s and yours.
In all the honesty don’t know which one of them is more fictitious!!!
MikeC read what you have just written:
1. I think Tadic is kind of happy with the current situation in Kosovo (--- plain silly).
2. Instead of having to deal with uncontrolable birth rates amonst Albanians in Kosovo, high unemployment, crime, human trafficing, etc etc Tadic can concentrate on improving the standard in the rest of Serbia (-- plain arrogance and ignorance).
3. Serbias condition to join EU is for EU to withdraw its recognition (plain dreaming).
4. You think we will sell our souls just to get in the EU (don’t know in which category this lies, you be the judge of it)?
5. Serbia is not as poor as Albanian to have no other choice (plain lie, Serbia has no other choice, Albania is not imposed any choice).

marko the opposition has a responsibility to come up with alternative policy to the government.

Its not just a responsibility to the voters, it also persuades voters that the opposition are capable of government as well as opposition. So its not a question of have more 'ideas' than the government, its a question of holding a political position on an issue. This is normal in developed democracies.

Peggy the job of an opposition is certainly not to do nothing and then only come up with policies before a general election. In Australia I'm sure that major political parties have manifestos and have positions on important questions such as the electoral system. In the UK for many years the Liberal Democrats supported proportional representation while Labour and the Conservatives favoured their current first past the post system of elections. I find it incredible that you could suggest that once voters have voted a party into government, that this party could blindside the public and create policies after being elected.

Bgannon, I see most people reading this agree with you but I am more than a little confused with something. Yesterday you and I were of a like mind in that Tadic was talking big, but delivering little.
Today are you pointing out that
A, The opposition is talking big but delivering little

or
B, the Opposition has a greater duty to come up with ideas then the government.

If I I agree, if B i disagreent; with power and influence come responsibility

For as long as we have an opposition that is unable to come up with real policies - rather than just reacting (opposing) to whatever the government says, they will have little chance of beating the current government.
(bganon, 30 April 2009 13:41)

The job of the opposition is precisely that, to oppose they see something wrong with the policy and bring it to our attention.
Their job is not to fix anything as they cannot until they are in government themselves. The opposition doesn't usually come up with policies until elections are looming.
I don't know how Serbian political arena works but here in Australia this is exactly how opposition works. They will come out from time to time to voice their concern about what the government is doing but they don't normally come up with solutions. They only point out why they think the policy is bad. Again, I can't say how politics work over there but it certainly doesn't seem odd to me that they opposition is voicing they do not support certain policies.

When it comes to constitution, this is a tricky matter. In times of political turmoil and a crisis such as Kosovo the last thing you do is tinker with constitution. Don't you think that they have more pressing issues now? Why do they choose this time to make changes to constitution? Perhaps this is a good time to change it the way they see fit while people are distracted with Kosovo? I say, leave this alone until an important matter like Kosovo is sorted out, or if you are going to press ahead then make sure your citizens know exactly how it will impact on them.
How much do people really know about the changes?

"I find it incredible that you could suggest that once voters have voted a party into government, that this party could blindside the public and create policies after being elected."
(bganon, 1 May 2009 14:07)

Incredible or not it has happened many times. If the government at the time has majority in both houses of parliament then yes, they have created policies which nobody knew of before election.
Our last government here did just that. They introduced reforms which totally reformed our workplace laws. The opposition was very vocal about that but there was nothing they could do. The party had a majority in both houses of parliament.

The job of the opposition is to call the government on their policies and make them explain. They also will try to block any legislation but only if there have sufficient numbers or they can achieve that with help of minor parties and independents. The way our ballots are designed here, unless we are careful run the risk of electing a government which will have majority in both houses. So to horrify you once again, yes at least the government here is and has been capable of just that.

Like I said, I don't know how it works in Serbia but I am sure of one thing. The only way to tinker with constitution is to fully engage the government and the opposition in outlining how and why and then hold a referendum.

Tadic sees the writing in the wall, Kosova is a condition for EU. He is starting to talk about changing it and then slip the Kosova line removal in the last minute. Everyone knows Serbia can;t enter EU when Kosova is recognized by 22/27 EU countries (after ICJ probably all will recognize!)

Tadic is preparing Serbia, after all Serbs voted for EU, Tadic will explain the conditions. France, Uk, Germany and US want ZERO to do with Jeremic, guess why?

Mr. Tadic seems to be addicted to being interviewed at least once a week. Whether he has something to say or not - is of no relevance.

alban

Ha ha ha! You should have become a scriptwriter for Hollywood movies. Your immagination is out of this world. You actually think that everything in Serbian politics has to do with Kosovo? I think Tadic is kind of happy with the current situation in Kosovo. EULEX is protecting Serbs and their holy land until such time that Serbia will get back control of it's territory. Instead of having to deal with uncontrolable birth rates amonst Albanians in Kosovo, high unemployment, crime, human trafficing, etc etc Tadic can concentrate on improving the standard in the rest of Serbia. Serbias condition to join EU is for EU to withdraw its recognition. You think we will sell our souls just to get in the EU? Serbia is not as poor as Albanian to have no other choice.

I think Tadic is kind of happy with the current situation in Kosovo.
(MikeC, 30 April 2009 14:00)

Not disputing the fact that Alban’s comment is a bit far fetched you should follow the simple rule:
When you are referring to ones comment as a script for Hollywood movie you should not do the same.
What we have now MikeC is two scripts. Alban’s and yours.
In all the honesty don’t know which one of them is more fictitious!!!
MikeC read what you have just written:
1. I think Tadic is kind of happy with the current situation in Kosovo (--- plain silly).
2. Instead of having to deal with uncontrolable birth rates amonst Albanians in Kosovo, high unemployment, crime, human trafficing, etc etc Tadic can concentrate on improving the standard in the rest of Serbia (-- plain arrogance and ignorance).
3. Serbias condition to join EU is for EU to withdraw its recognition (plain dreaming).
4. You think we will sell our souls just to get in the EU (don’t know in which category this lies, you be the judge of it)?
5. Serbia is not as poor as Albanian to have no other choice (plain lie, Serbia has no other choice, Albania is not imposed any choice).

Tadic may be too concerned about his personal ratings, but the policy is the issue.

What I expect from the opposition is proposed alternatives to what Tadic said. In short does the opposition think the current system is effective? (because the Serbian people do not)

So does the opposition support reducing the number of MP's. Does it believe the electoral system should be reformed and if so, in what way?

For as long as we have an opposition that is unable to come up with real policies - rather than just reacting (opposing) to whatever the government says, they will have little chance of beating the current government.

For as long as we have an opposition that is unable to come up with real policies - rather than just reacting (opposing) to whatever the government says, they will have little chance of beating the current government.
(bganon, 30 April 2009 13:41)

The job of the opposition is precisely that, to oppose they see something wrong with the policy and bring it to our attention.
Their job is not to fix anything as they cannot until they are in government themselves. The opposition doesn't usually come up with policies until elections are looming.
I don't know how Serbian political arena works but here in Australia this is exactly how opposition works. They will come out from time to time to voice their concern about what the government is doing but they don't normally come up with solutions. They only point out why they think the policy is bad. Again, I can't say how politics work over there but it certainly doesn't seem odd to me that they opposition is voicing they do not support certain policies.

When it comes to constitution, this is a tricky matter. In times of political turmoil and a crisis such as Kosovo the last thing you do is tinker with constitution. Don't you think that they have more pressing issues now? Why do they choose this time to make changes to constitution? Perhaps this is a good time to change it the way they see fit while people are distracted with Kosovo? I say, leave this alone until an important matter like Kosovo is sorted out, or if you are going to press ahead then make sure your citizens know exactly how it will impact on them.
How much do people really know about the changes?

Bganon, except for the radicals I think the opposition is reacting this way because Tadic mentioned this before andd it's something that I believe most of the opposition (bar the Radicals, the LDP and all the essentially unelected parties who latch themselves onto Tadic's coalition like a parasite would oppose).

Afterall in 2001 the DSS proposed regionalization, but people forget this since DSS doesn't want to make it's self seem like a party that would give in to VOjvodina regionalists.

Not only that but decentralization is soemthing that essentially all parties give lip service to in their platforms.

Anyways. I think this is a set-up for elections. Tiny parties demand concessions to keep the government a float, and so long as these parties are present constiutional change is impossible.

DS and SNS have indicated they could form a government after the next elections. Given that the latest polls suggest the two would get 60%+ of the seats without Tadic going into coalition with minor parties.

Regarding constiutional changes it's quite simple.
- No autonomy to any region. All regions should have the same level of autonomy.
- Unlike know where an extraconstitutional statute must be passed to define Vojvodina's powers these powers should specifically be defined constiutionally.
- Laws regarding municipal powers should be changed.
- The parliament should consist of 1 seat per 65,000 registered voters in the lwoer house and 3 seats per region + 1 for Beograd in the upper house.

Bgannon, I see most people reading this agree with you but I am more than a little confused with something. Yesterday you and I were of a like mind in that Tadic was talking big, but delivering little.
Today are you pointing out that
A, The opposition is talking big but delivering little

or
B, the Opposition has a greater duty to come up with ideas then the government.

If I I agree, if B i disagreent; with power and influence come responsibility

Mr. Tadic seems to be addicted to being interviewed at least once a week. Whether he has something to say or not - is of no relevance.
(Paula Isaacsson, 30 April 2009 11:55)

Paula,

I don't know about your country of origin but in mine (Scotland) and also in the country I currently reside most heads of state give regular interviews. It's called politics and has been around for centuries.

Visiting a news site usually ends up with news stories, strange I know but a reality. So if reading these interviews upsets you so much that you feel the need to comment I suggest you find another type of site that maybe has a less political leaning.

Pozdrav iz Bahrainu

marko the opposition has a responsibility to come up with alternative policy to the government.

Its not just a responsibility to the voters, it also persuades voters that the opposition are capable of government as well as opposition. So its not a question of have more 'ideas' than the government, its a question of holding a political position on an issue. This is normal in developed democracies.

Peggy the job of an opposition is certainly not to do nothing and then only come up with policies before a general election. In Australia I'm sure that major political parties have manifestos and have positions on important questions such as the electoral system. In the UK for many years the Liberal Democrats supported proportional representation while Labour and the Conservatives favoured their current first past the post system of elections. I find it incredible that you could suggest that once voters have voted a party into government, that this party could blindside the public and create policies after being elected.

"I find it incredible that you could suggest that once voters have voted a party into government, that this party could blindside the public and create policies after being elected."
(bganon, 1 May 2009 14:07)

Incredible or not it has happened many times. If the government at the time has majority in both houses of parliament then yes, they have created policies which nobody knew of before election.
Our last government here did just that. They introduced reforms which totally reformed our workplace laws. The opposition was very vocal about that but there was nothing they could do. The party had a majority in both houses of parliament.

The job of the opposition is to call the government on their policies and make them explain. They also will try to block any legislation but only if there have sufficient numbers or they can achieve that with help of minor parties and independents. The way our ballots are designed here, unless we are careful run the risk of electing a government which will have majority in both houses. So to horrify you once again, yes at least the government here is and has been capable of just that.

Like I said, I don't know how it works in Serbia but I am sure of one thing. The only way to tinker with constitution is to fully engage the government and the opposition in outlining how and why and then hold a referendum.