Serbian president sparks controversy over constitutional changes for Kosovo

President Aleksandar Vuciq's comment this week that Serbia has no courage to change the constitution has revived speculations about informal demands by EU states that Belgrade remove the constitutional preamble that defines Kosovo as part of Serbia.

Vladimir Medjak from the European Movement in Serbia told BIRN that the only current initiative to change the constitution relates to judicial reform -- a change that is necessary as part of Serbia's EU accession process.

I'm not sure what a lack of strength we're talking about here, when we have a majority in government supporting Vuciq. If the proposal was good, I believe a good portion of the opposition would also vote for it”, Medjak said.

Medjak explained that constitutional changes on judicial reform must be adopted by the end of the current year, which means Serbia is already behind schedule.

The next scenario of changes related to Kosovo, according to Medjak, would further push the changes after a public debate on Kosovo, which was recently announced by Vuciq, will not end in time.

Medjak says the constitutional preamble can also be changed, if necessary, at the conclusion of Serbia's negotiations with the EU, at the same time when Belgrade adopts the so-called integration clause, which enables EU institutions to adopt regulations that will be implemented in Serbia.

“currently we have the obligation of judicial reform and the declaration of integration at the end [of the accession process]”, he said.

Unconfirmed voices have circulated since Serbia began the EU accession process, which some European countries are putting pressure on Belgrade to give up its constitutional commitment to control over Kosovo.

Aleksandar Popov of the Centre for Regionalisation told BIRN that he believes Vuciq's recent call for “dialog public” for Kosovo means he cannot make such a controversial change in politics.

“If parliament were to vote for the changes, Vuciq may be able to reach the majority with the liberal opposition, but [the constitutional changes] also undergo a referendum”, he said.

Popov is convinced that any constitutional changes involving the removal of preamble for Kosovo will be rejected by the majority of Serbian voters.

He's at a crossroads. If he is going after the constitutional change [for Kosovo], there is now no chance that he can achieve this”, Popov said.

The amendments to the constitution are proposed by the government, after which they should be approved by a two-thirds majority in parliament, or 167 MPs. The ruling coalition controlled by Vuciq has 160 seats.

After that, there should be a referendum in which 50 per cent, plus one voter, should place ballots in favour of changes so that they can be approved.