Serbian Government sends letter to Vučić: Proposal to call elections explained; He has 72 hours to respond

Prime Minister Djuro Macut today proposed that the Serbian government, in accordance with the Constitution, ask the President of the Republic to dissolve the National Assembly and call parliamentary elections. If the government adopts the proposal, the president must issue a decree dissolving parliament within 72 hours.

Under Article 109, paragraphs 1 and 5 of the Constitution of Serbia, and Article 21 of the Law on the President of the Republic, the president is required to issue a decree dissolving the National Assembly following a reasoned proposal from the government.

The Law on the President of the Republic stipulates that the president must, within 72 hours, issue a decree dissolving the National Assembly based on the government’s reasoned proposal, or inform the government and the public that he does not accept the proposal.

Under the Constitution, the president must call parliamentary elections at the same time as dissolving the National Assembly, meaning the elections must be completed no later than 60 days after they are called.

The Law on the Election of Members of Parliament provides that no fewer than 45 and no more than 60 days may elapse between the calling of an election and election day.

The decision calling the election must designate a voting day, which must be a non-working day.

A dissolved National Assembly may carry out only routine or urgent matters as provided by law, and the Assembly cannot be dissolved during a state of war or emergency.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić previously said that the elections would be held on October 18 or 25, and that he would call them no later than September 9 or 10.

The National Assembly has 250 members, who are elected to four-year terms.

The current composition of the National Assembly was constituted on February 6, 2024, following the parliamentary elections held on December 17, 2023.