"Opposition must unite against media law"

The opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) whip Milos Aligrudic called on opposition parties to stand united against the proposed changes to the media law. He also urged leaders of the clubs of the ruling Socialist Party of Serbia-United Serbia (SPS-JS) and the United Pensioners Party (PUPS) to do everything in their power to prevent the adoption in the Serbian parliament of the changes and amendments to the Law on Information. "Opposition must unite against media law" The state and the people must not allow the law to pass, because it would have catastrophic consequences on democracy and the media space in Serbia, said Aligrudic. "Opposition MPs have an obligation to be present and to make up the quorum on the voting day, which will probably be Friday, July 31, and in that way prevent the adoption of that proposal," he said, addressing a news conference in Belgeade today. The bid to change the legislation regulating Serbia's media comes as a consequence of "a vain, complex-ridden politician from G17 Plus, who is blackmailing the Democratic Party, which is cracking up under pressure", said Aligrudic. He said he expects the parties gathered around the SPS to stick to their decision not to vote, and to show the sincerity of their intention by being present in parliament, and using their MP cards to confirm their presence. Aligrudic reiterated the DSS stand that the proposed law on changes and amendments to the Law on Public Information is anti-European, that the media space would be "swept with an iron broom with it", that a consequence of its implementation would be shutting down of media outlets, and said it was MPs' "sacred duty to vote against". "Voting against means an obligation to do everything to make sure the law fails," the DSS official said, and added that if the opposition misses its opportunity to "bring down" the controversial legislation, "the blame will be on its head".

"Opposition must unite against media law"

The state and the people must not allow the law to pass, because it would have catastrophic consequences on democracy and the media space in Serbia, said Aligrudić.

"Opposition MPs have an obligation to be present and to make up the quorum on the voting day, which will probably be Friday, July 31, and in that way prevent the adoption of that proposal," he said, addressing a news conference in Belgeade today.

The bid to change the legislation regulating Serbia's media comes as a consequence of "a vain, complex-ridden politician from G17 Plus, who is blackmailing the Democratic Party, which is cracking up under pressure", said Aligrudić.

He said he expects the parties gathered around the SPS to stick to their decision not to vote, and to show the sincerity of their intention by being present in parliament, and using their MP cards to confirm their presence.

Aligrudić reiterated the DSS stand that the proposed law on changes and amendments to the Law on Public Information is anti-European, that the media space would be "swept with an iron broom with it", that a consequence of its implementation would be shutting down of media outlets, and said it was MPs' "sacred duty to vote against".

"Voting against means an obligation to do everything to make sure the law fails," the DSS official said, and added that if the opposition misses its opportunity to "bring down" the controversial legislation, "the blame will be on its head".