Referendum in Serbia: What's changing and why, a touch? Kosovo?

In Serbia on Sunday, on January 16The referendum on changing the Constitution, the highest legal act of the state, is held.

What's changing?

The changes concern the judiciary.

Why the Changes Are Making

In order to harmonise legislation with the European one, in Serbia's European Union membership process.

Do the changes have to do with Kosovo?

No.

What are the differences?

The changes concern the manner of election of judges and prosecutors in order to reduce political influence on this process, the Government of Serbia has said.

Who will choose judges and prosecutors?

The High Judicial Council and the Supreme Prosecutorial Council, considered independent troops.

Who has chosen them so far?

Direct or indirect, MPs from the Serbian Parliament, as members of political parties.

What's the difference?

The highest state officials, who say the goal is to achieve an independent judiciary and that the speed of European integration depends on changes in the Constitution.

Who's against?

All opposition parties, most of whom believe the Parliament, which proclaimed the referendum, have no legitimacy and that there has been no public debate on this issue. Opinions vary whether to vote “not” or boycott the referendum.

Some MPs from the ruling coalition also oppose the changes.

What do judges, prosecutors and professionals say?

Attitudes differ from those that change lead to greater judicial independence, to those that believe with changes preserve political influence, only that it is done in other ways through members of the High Judicial Council and the Supreme Prosecutorial Council.

What did the Venice Commission say?

The body of experts of the Council of Europe has said most of their recommendations have been met, but insists on the need to reduce the risks of politicising the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.

What will be the question in the referendum?

Are you confirming the act of changing the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia? The answers are with “po” or “yo”.

Who can vote?

All citizens of Serbia on the voter list can vote. Kosovo has said that Serbian citizens, with dual citizenship, will be able to vote through post office and liaison office in Pristina.

Where can he be voted?

At all polling stations where citizens usually vote for elections between 7:00 and 8:00. It is mandatory for voters to wear masks. For citizens infected with coronarys or in isolation, members of the voting council will go to their homes and the vote will take place at the door.

When is the referendum considered successful?

With legal changes adopted at the end of 2021, the exit threshold has been lifted.

This means that to be considered a successful referendum, over 50 per cent of voters are not required to vote, but the decision is made by the majority of votes. /REL/