DS warns against government control in key committees

BELGRADE Democratic Party (DS)-led group whip Dragoljub Micunovic says the fact the government controls three key committees represents a “dangerous feudalization”. He stressed this was a case of "more pronounced and more dangerous feudalization" than before in the sectors most susceptible to abuse. DS warns against government control in key committees Micunovic recalled the democratic principle of the opposition controlling the government through committees, noting that three committees - finance, police and the military - must be monitored with particular care because these sectors were most susceptible to abuse. “Since the ruling parties - the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the United Regions of Serbia (URS) - divvied up these committees amongst themselves, the feudalization is worse than before,” he told daily Politika. Commenting on the start of work of the new legislature, the head of the group formed around the DS, said it was highly unusual as the government attacked the opposition. "The goal is to silence the opposition," said Micunovic, pointing out "it would be normal if the opposition went after the government," and adding that SNS acting leader Aleksandar Vucic continued his campaign attacks on the outgoing government instead of speaking about the qualifications of his candidate for parliament speaker. "The opposition naturally responded and Vucic replied to everyone in turn and rebuttals followed. This was a bad start," said the DS official. Dragoljub Micunovic Politika Tanjug

DS warns against government control in key committees

Mićunović recalled the democratic principle of the opposition controlling the government through committees, noting that three committees - finance, police and the military - must be monitored with particular care because these sectors were most susceptible to abuse.

“Since the ruling parties - the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the United Regions of Serbia (URS) - divvied up these committees amongst themselves, the feudalization is worse than before,” he told daily Politika.

Commenting on the start of work of the new legislature, the head of the group formed around the DS, said it was highly unusual as the government attacked the opposition.

"The goal is to silence the opposition," said Mićunović, pointing out "it would be normal if the opposition went after the government," and adding that SNS acting leader Aleksandar Vučić continued his campaign attacks on the outgoing government instead of speaking about the qualifications of his candidate for parliament speaker.

"The opposition naturally responded and Vučić replied to everyone in turn and rebuttals followed. This was a bad start," said the DS official.