Party in "warning" over Vojvodina statute

The LSV has warned it would withdraw its support for other bills unless the draft Vojvodina statute makes it to the parliamentary agenda. League of Social-Democrats of Vojvodina (LSV) MP Aleksandra Jerkov says that talks on the statue are underway within the coalition, and that an accompanying law, that would define the transfer of powers, is nearly finished. Party in "warning" over Vojvodina statute Jerkov told B92 that she hopes MPs would soon open a debate in order for the draft statute to be adopted. "We are still in a phase where we're attempting to speed up the process in every other possible way. However, unless there is no other option, and that is really the last measure that we will undertake, once we determine who the ministers who are hindering the making of the law are, the LSV will no longer support drafts coming from their ministries in parliament," stated Jerkov. "Our goal is not to bring down or destabilize the government. However, if that turns out to be the only way, and in the absence of any reaction from the Vojvodina assembly or the Vojvodina Executive Council, which should have reacted in this situation, the League will resort to this way as its last mean," she was quoted. "What has changed compared to the first draft of the law is that the LSV insists that the Vojvodina property finds its way into it, rather than this to be defined with a special law, as some said, and without that, we will not support this law," Jerkov said. Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic Dejanovic stated that the statute and the accompanying law could soon make it to the agenda, but she could not specify a date. According to her, the law on the transfer of powers should regulate "all areas of life", with work on it "nearly complete". The speaker did not wish to comment the statements coming from the LSV, and speculation that Serbia is headed for early elections, saying only that these were "political, not parliamentary and parliament's lawmaking issues". Also on Friday, the LSV requested an urgent special session of the Vojvodina assembly, at which the provincial administration should take a united stand on the statute proposal and the accompanying law, and request for an explanation from the authorized republic bodies "about what is happening with these acts". "Taking into account that it has been a year since the Vojvodina assembly adopted the statute proposal, and it has still not entered the Serbian parliament procedure, we believe that it is necessary to hold a special session of Vojvodina provincial parliament," Vice-President of the LSV main party board Branislav Bogaroski told a news conference. LSV therefore sent a letter to Vojvodina assembly President Sandor Egeresi, suggesting that he should call a special session, in accordance with his authorities. The draft statute was sent to the state parliament on October 15, 2008, but is yet to make it to the agenda. In the meantime, the document has received criticism from most of the opposition, but also from the ruling Socialists (SPS).

Party in "warning" over Vojvodina statute

Jerkov told B92 that she hopes MPs would soon open a debate in order for the draft statute to be adopted.

"We are still in a phase where we're attempting to speed up the process in every other possible way. However, unless there is no other option, and that is really the last measure that we will undertake, once we determine who the ministers who are hindering the making of the law are, the LSV will no longer support drafts coming from their ministries in parliament," stated Jerkov.

"Our goal is not to bring down or destabilize the government. However, if that turns out to be the only way, and in the absence of any reaction from the Vojvodina assembly or the Vojvodina Executive Council, which should have reacted in this situation, the League will resort to this way as its last mean," she was quoted.

"What has changed compared to the first draft of the law is that the LSV insists that the Vojvodina property finds its way into it, rather than this to be defined with a special law, as some said, and without that, we will not support this law," Jerkov said.

Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukić Dejanović stated that the statute and the accompanying law could soon make it to the agenda, but she could not specify a date.

According to her, the law on the transfer of powers should regulate "all areas of life", with work on it "nearly complete".

The speaker did not wish to comment the statements coming from the LSV, and speculation that Serbia is headed for early elections, saying only that these were "political, not parliamentary and parliament's lawmaking issues".

Also on Friday, the LSV requested an urgent special session of the Vojvodina assembly, at which the provincial administration should take a united stand on the statute proposal and the accompanying law, and request for an explanation from the authorized republic bodies "about what is happening with these acts".

"Taking into account that it has been a year since the Vojvodina assembly adopted the statute proposal, and it has still not entered the Serbian parliament procedure, we believe that it is necessary to hold a special session of Vojvodina provincial parliament," Vice-President of the LSV main party board Branislav Bogaroski told a news conference.

LSV therefore sent a letter to Vojvodina assembly President Šandor Egereši, suggesting that he should call a special session, in accordance with his authorities.

The draft statute was sent to the state parliament on October 15, 2008, but is yet to make it to the agenda. In the meantime, the document has received criticism from most of the opposition, but also from the ruling Socialists (SPS).