2022 Serbian constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum will be held in Serbia on 16 January 2022 in which voters will decide on changing the Constitution in the part related to the judiciary.

2022 Serbian constitutional referendum
16 January 2022 (2022-01-16)
Are you in favor of confirming the act on changing the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia?
Serbian: Да ли сте за потврђивање акта о промени Устава Републике Србије?
LocationSerbia

In order to bring the judiciary into line with European Union legislation, the government has previously proposed changing the way judges and prosecutors are elected, and the National Assembly adopted it by a two-thirds majority on 7 June 2021.

The proclamation of the referendum was preceded by changes to the Law on Referendum on 25 November 2021, when the census was abolished, ie the rule that it is necessary for a 50% turnout for the referendum to be valid.

Background and timeline

In January 2020, speculations arose regarding the change of the judiciary system, when the state secretary Radomir Ilić called for the change of the constitution to adopt "external control" which would give powers to the president of Serbia to appoint and remove judges.[1] This statement was met with opposition from several former judges, which they claimed that it would reduce the independence of the judiciary.[2][3][4] The justice ministry claimed that "external control would be controlled by citizens through the election of members of the High Judicial Council".[3]

After the 2020 parliamentary election, the Serbian Progressive Party won the supermajority of seats in the National Assembly.[5] Soon after, the government of Serbia submitted a proposal for the change of the constitution to the National Assembly.[6] Initially, the completion of the constitutional reform, which would ensure the independence of the judiciary, was planned for 2017.[7] This was foresaw after the National Assembly adopted the National Strategy for Judicial Reform in 2013,[8] which was adopted by the government in 2015.[7] According to that document, Serbia was supposed to finish drafting amendments to the text of the Constitution by the end of 2016.[7] On 3 December 2020, the National Assembly adopted the proposal for the change of the constitution.[9][10] The president of the National Assembly Ivica Dačić stated that in case of early elections, the referendum should be held before elections.[11] Another proposal for amendment of the constitution has been sent to the parliament in late April 2021,[12][13] and it was accepted on 7 June 2021.[14][15]

Referendum law

Initially, the referendum was supposed to be held in fall of 2021,[16] although on 30 November 2021, Dačić called the referendum to be held on 16 January.[17]

In order for the proposed changes to get implemented, a referendum will have to take place.[18] A law on referendum and people's initiative, which has been on the waiting list since the implementation of the 2006 constitution,[19] was adopted by the National Assembly on 11 November 2021.[20] It was mainly criticized by non-governmental organizations and politicians due to the abolishment of the 50% turnout threshold and the possibility of abusing the law on cases such as Rio Tinto.[21][22] The law was passed by the National Assembly on 25 November 2021,[23][24] and it was signed by Vučić on the same day.[25] Following the escalation of the environmental protests, demonstrators demanded the law on referendum to be repealed.[26] Vučić announced on 8 December that he would amend the law,[27][28] and on 10 December, the National Assembly passed the amendments.[29][30]

Proposed changes

The government of Serbia has committed itself to these constitutional changes in the process of joining the European Union.[31][32] After several delays, the changes were first presented in a document in December 2020.[31]

If the changes get adopted, the public prosecutor's office would become a collective body and all prosecutors will be a part of it, and not just the deputy prosecutors,[33] an office that will be abolished with these changes.[34] The head of the prosecutor's office will have the possibility of issuing orders to the remaining prosecutors, but there will also be legal remedies against the authority they posses, which will exclude the possibility of abuse.[33] Judges will be elected by the High Judicial Council, an independent council that already exists, and prosecutors by the High Council of Prosecutors.[31] Five members of the High Council of Prosecutors would be elected by public prosecutors, four by the National Assembly on the proposal of the competent committee by a two-thirds majority, and the Supreme Public Prosecutor and Minister of Justice will be members by position.[31] The Supreme Court of Cassation's name would also be changed to the Supreme Court.[35]

Reception

Analysts concluded that the turnout and success of the referendum are equally important for the government, but that due to the April general elections, the campaign for the constitutional changes will be restrained.[36]

"Yes" campaign

The incumbent justice minister Maja Popović, who participated in the talks and the formation of the final document,[37] is supportive of such changes.[38] The Venice Commission also stated their support,[39] and that the changes meet most of their recommendations.[40]

"No" campaign

Some members of the National Assembly that are a part of the ruling parties voiced their opposition to the constitutional changes,[41] including opposition MPs Shaip Kamberi, Vladan Glišić, and the Party of Democratic Action of Sandžak.[42][43][44] Non-parliamentary parties also stated their dissatisfaction such as the Movement of Free Citizens,[45] People's Party politicians,[46][47][48] Serbian Party Oathkeepers,[49][50] and Democratic Party.[51] Miroslav Parović, the leader of the People's Liberation Movement, called for the referendum to be postponed.[52] The Democratic Party of Serbia and POKS also voiced their opposition to such changes,[53] and called for citizens to vote "no" on the referendum.[54][55]

Enough is Enough and Healthy Serbia stated their opposition to the referendum,[56][57] and on 30 November they formed the "Souverainist bloc",[58] and shortly after they began their campaign.[59] Dveri also stated that citizens should vote "no".[60][61]

Results
Choice Votes %
Y Yes
N No
Invalid/blank votes
Total
Registered voters/turnout
Source:

References
  1. "Radomir Ilić: Srbija mora da promeni Ustav, pravosuđu potrebna eksterna kontrola". Danas (in Serbian). 19 January 2020. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  2. "Vlast u Srbiji želi poslušnije pravosuđe". Deutsche Welle (in Serbian). 21 January 2020. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  3. "Ministarstvo za RSE: Predlog eksterne kontrole pravosuđa nije nov". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Serbo-Croatian). 20 January 2020. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  4. "Reakcije struke na predlog državnog sekretara da predsednik bira tužioce i sudije: Dodatni pritisak na pravosuđe". Insajder (in Serbian). 20 January 2020. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  5. "Freedom in the World 2021, Serbia". Freedom House. 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  6. "Predlog za promenu Ustava Republike Srbije" (PDF). National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. 10 July 2020.
  7. "Ustavnim promenama do gubitka nezavisnosti pravosuđa - Progovori o pregovorima". eupregovori.bos.rs. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  8. "Nacionalna strategija reforme pravosuđa za period 2013-2018. godine" (PDF). National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. 1 July 2013.
  9. "Vlada predlaže promenu Ustava u delu koji se odnosi na sudove i javna tužilaštva". Danas (in Serbian). 3 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  10. "Усвојен предлог за промену Устава у делу правосуђа". www.srbija.gov.rs (in Serbian). 3 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  11. "Dačić: U slučaju vanrednih izbora, referendum o izmenama Ustava održati pre njih". N1 (in Serbian). 16 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  12. "Dačić: Otvaramo dijalog i rasprave u vezi sa ustavnim promenama". rs.n1info.com (in Serbian). N1. 8 April 2021.
  13. "Vučić: Pokrenut postupak promene Ustava, vlast se nada referendumu pre novih izbora" (in Serbian). N1. 16 April 2021.
  14. "Poslanici usvojili Predlog za promenu Ustava Srbije". danas.rs (in Serbian). Danas. 7 June 2021.
  15. "Srbija, pravosuđe i evropske integracije: Zašto se menja Ustav". bbc.com (in Serbian). BBC News. 7 June 2021.
  16. "Dačić: Referendum o promeni Ustava možda na jesen". rs.n1info.com (in Serbian). N1. 6 June 2021.
  17. "Raspisan referendum za 16. januar". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-11-30. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  18. "Izmene Ustava u delu koji se odnosi na pravosuđe zahtevaju referendum". European Western Balkans (in Serbian). 5 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  19. "Dačić: Skupština Srbije 25. novembra o zakonu o referendumu o ustavnim promenama". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  20. "Vlada usvojila Predlog zakona o referendumu i narodnoj inicijativi". Danas (in Serbian). 9 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  21. "Predlog o ukidanju cenzusa na referendumu: NVO strahuju od zloupotreba". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  22. "Jovanović (Narodna stranka): Zakon o referendumu priprema za Rio Tinto". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-11-13. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  23. "Izglasan Zakon o referendumu". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  24. "Serbian Lawmakers Pass Law Removing Turnout Threshold In Referendums". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  25. "Zakon o referendumu stupio na snagu, Vučić "misli da ga je potpisao"". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  26. "Serbian President Urged to Withdraw Expropriation Law After Protests". Balkan Insight. 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  27. "Mediji u regionu: Vučić ispunio zahteve građana u protestu". Danas (in Serbian). 8 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  28. "Vučić ispunio sve zahteve protesta: Izašao sam u susret narodu, ne političarima". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  29. "Skupština jednoglasno usvojila izmene Zakona o referendumu". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  30. "Pre 15 dana dva glasa protiv, a onda na remont - poslanici hitno popravili zakon". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  31. Bogdanović, Nevena (8 December 2020). "Pet odgovora o promeni Ustava Srbije". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  32. "Raspisan referendum o promeni Ustava Srbije - na glasanje 16. januara". BBC News na srpskom (in Serbian). 2021-11-30. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  33. "Nova.rs otkriva: Ovako će izgledati pravosuđe nakon izmene Ustava". NOVA portal (in Serbian). 2021-09-06. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  34. Serbia, RTS, Radio televizija Srbije, Radio Television of. "Izmene Ustava ponovo u proceduri, konačno se zna i šta se menja". www.rts.rs. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  35. "Radni tekst amandmana Ministarstva pravde na Ustav Republike Srbije" (PDF). mpravde.gov.rs (in Serbian). Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia. 2021.
  36. "Opozicija i referendum o promeni Ustava: Ignorisati ili ne, pitanje je sad". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  37. "Popović: Predviđeno da sudije i predsednike sudova bira isključivo VSS". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-11-30. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  38. "Maja Popović: Promena Ustava je prvenstveno u interesu građana". Danas (in Serbian). 17 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  39. "Revidirani amandmani na Ustav Srbije 'ispunjavaju većinu preporuka'". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  40. "Venecijanska komisija: Revidirani ustavni amandmani ispunjavaju većinu preporuka". Danas (in Serbian). 24 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  41. "Poslanici usvojili Predlog za promenu Ustava Srbije". danas.rs (in Serbian). Danas. 7 June 2021.
  42. "Predstavnici Albanaca u Srbiji za građanski a ne Ustav 'srpskog naroda'". slobodnaevropa.org (in Serbian). Radio Free Europe. 10 June 2021.
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  44. "Srbija u januaru glasa o promeni Ustava". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  45. "Dveri i PSG će pozvati na bojkot ustavnog referenduma". danas.rs (in Serbian). Danas. 11 June 2021.
  46. "Potpredsednica NS: Promene Ustava uvod u odluke o Kosovu i Metohiji i Rio Tintu". Novinska agencija Beta (in Serbian). 3 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  47. "Narodna stranka: Vučić menja Ustav da bi potpuno kontrolisao izbor sudija". Novinska agencija Beta (in Serbian). 7 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  48. "Jeremić: Neću izaći na referendum, a odluku stranke donećemo na Skupštini". NOVA portal (in Serbian). 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  49. "Desnica se mobiliše za izbore glasanjem protiv ustavnih izmena". Danas (in Serbian). 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  50. "Đurđević (Zavetnici): Ne vidimo u SNS partnera, nećemo biti novi Šapić". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  51. "Lutovac: Dok se javnost bavi besmislicama, vlast sprema nelegalnu promenu Ustava". N1 (in Serbian). 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
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  53. "Jovanović : Koalicija NADA poziva građane da izađu na referendum o promeni Ustava i glasaju protiv". Danas (in Serbian). 8 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
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  56. "DJB: Da se opozicija uključi u kampanju obaranja promena Ustava na referendumu". Novinska agencija Beta (in Serbian). 6 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  57. "DJB: Promene Ustava u oblasti pravosuđa duboko protivne interesima građana Srbije". Danas (in Serbian). 29 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  58. "Stamatović i Radulović prave suverenistički blok, Dveri sebe vide kao desnu kolonu". Danas (in Serbian). 30 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  59. "Dosta je bilo i Zdrava Srbija pokreću kampanju protiv promena Ustava". Novinska agencija Beta (in Serbian). 30 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  60. "Boško Obradović pozvao građane da bojkotuju referendum o promeni Ustava". rs.n1info.com (in Serbian). N1. 12 June 2021.
  61. "Dveri protiv predloženih izmena Ustava u oblasti pravosuđa i referenduma na tu temu". Danas (in Serbian). 30 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
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