Speaker on MPs blank resignation letters

Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic is advocating changes to the Constitution to revoke MPs’ blank resignations which is one of conditions for EU integrations. One third of so-called “ten European commandments” that Serbia needs to fulfill in order to obtain candidate status refer to parliament. Speaker on MPs blank resignation letters The European Commission thinks that existence of MPs blank resignation letters is one of the problematic regulations in Serbia that need to change in order for the country to receive EU candidate status. Aside from well-known conditions, such as judiciary reform and cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, Brussels also wants blank resignation letters, which some MPs signed so their parties would be sure of their loyalty, to be quashed. The Serbian Constitution envisages that MPs can put their mandates at their respective parties’ disposal. “It is one of big issues because of which one should think about changing the Constitution. I know that what I’m saying is not wise, but I really think that as long as there is a such paragraph in our Constitution I think that such MP should be the owner of the mandate,” Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic explained. Changes to the Constitution would be a hard way to quash blank resignation letters which do not exist in any European parliament. The easier way would be to amend the MPs Election Law. “The law would specify the constitutional regulation and how an MP does it so there would be no problems with the resignations,” said Jelena Trivan of the Democratic Party (DS). “It is pointless to think that parties in the next convocation would choose MPs with whom they would sign contracts. It’s not a case anywhere in the EU anymore, I think that Serbia is a country which cannot be different. There has to be a certain change to the election law,” Vlajko Senic of G17 plus stressed. The best-known attempt to use a blank resignation letter was in a case of Serbian Radical Party (SRS) MPs who joined Tomislav Nikolic’s newly formed party. The Administrative Committee however allowed the MPs to switch parties. “It is necessary and it is less important what was in our favor. It will be in favor of democracy and citizens of Serbia. All those who advocated different position in order to preserve control over MPs finally cannot face a choice but a decision that a person decides the way they think they should. So we would have an exchange of ideas and that each person is not subject to buying and selling,” Jorgovanka Tabakovic of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) pointed out. “Essential problem is not that there are blank resignation letters, but that the Administrative Committee is applying double standards. When they are submitted by the ruling coalition they are adopted, when they are submitted by the SRS or DSS the blank resignations are not valid,” Aleksandar Martinovic of the SRS stressed. Aside from the issue of blank resignation letters, the “ten European commandments” also include adoption of the Party Financing Law which is expected by the end of the year, and changes to the parliament’s Rule of Procedure since parliament has the right to discuss and adopt reports of regulatory bodies. Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic (FoNet, file)

Speaker on MPs blank resignation letters

The European Commission thinks that existence of MPs blank resignation letters is one of the problematic regulations in Serbia that need to change in order for the country to receive EU candidate status.

Aside from well-known conditions, such as judiciary reform and cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, Brussels also wants blank resignation letters, which some MPs signed so their parties would be sure of their loyalty, to be quashed.

The Serbian Constitution envisages that MPs can put their mandates at their respective parties’ disposal.

“It is one of big issues because of which one should think about changing the Constitution. I know that what I’m saying is not wise, but I really think that as long as there is a such paragraph in our Constitution I think that such MP should be the owner of the mandate,” Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Đukić-Dejanović explained.

Changes to the Constitution would be a hard way to quash blank resignation letters which do not exist in any European parliament. The easier way would be to amend the MPs Election Law.

“The law would specify the constitutional regulation and how an MP does it so there would be no problems with the resignations,” said Jelena Trivan of the Democratic Party (DS).

“It is pointless to think that parties in the next convocation would choose MPs with whom they would sign contracts. It’s not a case anywhere in the EU anymore, I think that Serbia is a country which cannot be different. There has to be a certain change to the election law,” Vlajko Senić of G17 plus stressed.

The best-known attempt to use a blank resignation letter was in a case of Serbian Radical Party (SRS) MPs who joined Tomislav Nikolić’s newly formed party. The Administrative Committee however allowed the MPs to switch parties.

“It is necessary and it is less important what was in our favor. It will be in favor of democracy and citizens of Serbia. All those who advocated different position in order to preserve control over MPs finally cannot face a choice but a decision that a person decides the way they think they should. So we would have an exchange of ideas and that each person is not subject to buying and selling,” Jorgovanka Tabaković of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) pointed out.

“Essential problem is not that there are blank resignation letters, but that the Administrative Committee is applying double standards. When they are submitted by the ruling coalition they are adopted, when they are submitted by the SRS or DSS the blank resignations are not valid,” Aleksandar Martinović of the SRS stressed.

Aside from the issue of blank resignation letters, the “ten European commandments” also include adoption of the Party Financing Law which is expected by the end of the year, and changes to the parliament’s Rule of Procedure since parliament has the right to discuss and adopt reports of regulatory bodies.