Twitter post suspends parliament session

BELGRADE The Serbian parliament convened on Friday in Belgrade to discuss the draft state budget for 2013, but the debate was cut short with a Twitter post. The controversy was sparked by a photograph Economy and Finance Minister Mladjan Dinkic posted on his Twitter account, showing almost empty benches where the DS MPs normally sit. Twitter post suspends parliament session Dinkic also tweeted a caption for his photo: "The DS MP group, at the height of the budget debate. Borko, geneticist Stojkovic, and two anonymous characters. Disarray." After receiving criticism for this, the minister apologized, by saying that he had no intention of offending anyone and that he instead meant to "record his impressions" - that the benches reserved "for what was once the biggest party" were empty during a discussion where he "expected them to be packed by the budget's critics". "If this truth offends someone, then I offer my deepest apologies, but I also apologize to parliament should the institution be harmed." Dinkic also promised not post on Twitter during parliament sittings in the future, "if parliament considers the use of Twitter offensive", and added: "I think I have achieved my goal, because the entire DS MP group was back their seats". The opposition Democratic Party (DS) MPs, however, were not satisfied with this, saying the apology was not offered "in a manner deserving of parliament". Finally, it was decided to resume the session on Monday. The offending Twitter photo Beta Tanjug

Twitter post suspends parliament session

Dinkić also tweeted a caption for his photo: "The DS MP group, at the height of the budget debate. Borko, geneticist Stojković, and two anonymous characters. Disarray."

After receiving criticism for this, the minister apologized, by saying that he had no intention of offending anyone and that he instead meant to "record his impressions" - that the benches reserved "for what was once the biggest party" were empty during a discussion where he "expected them to be packed by the budget's critics".

"If this truth offends someone, then I offer my deepest apologies, but I also apologize to parliament should the institution be harmed."

Dinkić also promised not post on Twitter during parliament sittings in the future, "if parliament considers the use of Twitter offensive", and added:

"I think I have achieved my goal, because the entire DS MP group was back their seats".

The opposition Democratic Party (DS) MPs, however, were not satisfied with this, saying the apology was not offered "in a manner deserving of parliament".

Finally, it was decided to resume the session on Monday.