The formation of a parliamentary majority at the central level and the new government has led to some changes within local authorities, so, after a month, numerous local self-rules are obtaining new coalitions and leaderships. The government has already held two sessions and the Parliament is already filled with heated atmosphere. Amendments to the law on the central bank have created a big gap between the ruling coalition and the opposition. More from Jelica Tapušković.
In the first two week, the new Serbian government has already held two sessions where, despite withdrawing 77 bills from the parliamentary procedure, which is a normal thing when executive power is changed, adopted regulations on the foundation of four offices - the Office for Kosmet, the Office for Minority and Human Rights, the Office for Cooperation with Churches and Religious Communities and the Office for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region. At the session on Thursday, priority was given to the issue of the evacuation of Serbian citizens from war-struck Syria. The announced appointment of Nebojša Rodić head of the Security and Information Agency, which has ensued meanwhile, caused protests of opposition parties, which led the Serbian president himself to react and emphasize that Rodic is a non-party person and an experienced lawyer.
The new ministers also dealt with economic issues. However, the issue tackled by the Parliament was transferred to a purely political level. Amendments to the Law on the National Bank of Serbia, which were already criticized by the opposition, were discussed by the MPs. The opposition assessed the possibility of a high official of the Serbian Progressive Party becoming the new governor of the central bank as a purely political act, believing that such a decison could lead to economic instability in the country.
The one thing that is certain is that a national consensus on Kosovo and Metohija might be reached in August. Only after that could talks between Belgrade and Pristina resume and be raised at a higher level. On behalf of Belgrade, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić could lead the talks.