The sitting was opened to the sounds of the national anthem of the Republic of Serbia, “God of Justice”, performed by the mixed choir of the Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence “Stanislav Binicki”.

The National Assembly ascertained the following agenda:

The MPs accepted the proposal of National Assembly Speaker Dr Vladimir Orlic to complete a joint single debate on items 1 to 5 on the agenda.

At the proposal of the Committee on Administrative, Budgetary, Mandate and Immunity Issues, the National Assembly noted the termination of the term of office of MP Nenad Filipovic, elected from Electoral List IVICA DACIC – PRIME MINISTER OF SERBIA, before the expiry of the term he was elected for, on the day he tendered his resignation.

The National Assembly conducted the joint single debate on items 1 to 5 on the agenda for the remainder of the day.

On the second day of the proceedings, 20 April 2023, before moving on to the agenda, the heads i.e. authorised representatives of the parliamentary groups, MPs Milija Miletic, Robert Kozma, MA Ivan Kostic, Dr Djordje Miketic, Bojana Bukumirovic, Dr Dragana Rakic, Prof. Dr Vladeta Jankovic, Zoran Stojanovic, Marinika Tepic, Prof. Dr Mirka Lukic Sarkanovic and Nebojsa Bakarec, requested information and explanations in line with article 287 of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure.

The National Assembly then continued the joint single debate on all the items on the agenda.

In the course of the proceedings, based on the Decree of the Republic Electoral Commission on the allocation of an MP’s term of office for the purpose of filling a vacant seat at the National Assembly and the Report of the Committee on Administrative, Budgetary, Mandate and Immunity Issues, pursuant to Article 134 of the Law on Election of MPs, the National Assembly noted the verification of the term of office of MP Dejan Manic, elected from the Electoral List IVICA DACIC – PRIME MINISTER OF SERBIA, who then proceeded to take the oath of office.

As the National Assembly had completed the debate on all the items on the agenda, National Assembly Speaker Dr Vladimir Orlic set Friday, 20 April 2023, as Voting Day on all the items on the agenda of the First Sitting of the First Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2023, starting at 7 pm.

On Voting Day, 20 April 2023, the National Assembly Speaker reminded the MPs that, according to Article 43 of the Law on the High Prosecutorial Council, for the first election of members of the High Prosecutorial Council elected by the National Assembly, the National Assembly elects four Council members from among eminent lawyers with a minimum of 10 years of work experience in the legal professions out of eight candidates proposed by the National Assembly committee in charge of the judiciary. He also reminded them that Article 50, paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Law on the High Prosecutorial Council stipulates that the National Assembly shall elect Council members by a two-third majority. The National Assembly shall vote for each candidate in turn, and the four candidates that receive the most votes shall be elected.

The MPs’ elected Dr Miroslav Djordjevic, Predrag Cetkovic, Vladimir Simic and Jelena Glusica for members of the High Prosecutorial Council by a majority vote, but not a two-third majority.

The National Assembly Speaker then reminded the MPs that Article 51, paragraph 1, and Article 61, paragraph 6 of the Law on the High Prosecutorial Council stipulate that if the National Assembly fails to elect all Council members to be elected within the deadline set in Article 50, paragraph 2 of the Law, the remaining Council members shall be elected from among all the candidates that meet the election requirements, by a commission comprised of the National Assembly Speaker, President of the Supreme Court of Cassation, Republic Public Prosecutor and the Ombudsman, by majority vote, within the deadline set by the Law.

The National Assembly adopted the Proposal of candidates for the first election of members of the High Judicial Council elected by the National Assembly, submitted by the Committee on the Judiciary, Public Administration and Local Self-Government. By a two-third majority, it elected Aleksandar Popovic. Dr Jelena Vuckovic, Nikola Bodiroga and Srdjan Stefanovic, won a majority of MPs’ votes, but less than two-thirds.

Consequently, the National Assembly Speaker reminded the MPs that Article 51, paragraph 1, and Article 61, paragraph 6 of the Law on the High Judicial Council stipulate that if the National Assembly fails to elect all Council members to be elected within the deadline set in Article 50, paragraph 2 of the Law, the remaining Council members shall be elected from among all the candidates that meet the election requirements, by a commission comprised of the National Assembly Speaker, President of the Supreme Court of Cassation, Republic Public Prosecutor and the Ombudsman, by majority vote, within the deadline set by the Law.

The National Assembly went on to adopt the Proposal of the Decision on the election of the Council of the State Audit Institution, submitted by the Committee on Finance, State Budget and Control of Public Spending, electing Dusko Pejovic President of the of the Council of the State Audit Institution, Marija Obrenovic Vice-President of the of the Council of the State Audit Institution and Council members.

By majority vote, the National Assembly adopted the Proposal of the Decision on the election of the Ombudsman, submitted by the Committee on Constitutional and Legislative Issues, electing Zoran Pasalic Ombudsman.

By majority vote, the National Assembly also adopted the Proposal of the Decision on the election of four members of the Republic Commission for Protection of Rights in Public Procurement Procedures, submitted by the Committee on Finance, State Budget and Control of Public Spending.

On Voting Day, the National Assembly also ruled on the violations of the Rules of Procedure the MPs complained of in the course of the session and found that none of the provisions of the Rules of Procedure had been violated.

As the national Assembly had adopted the Proposal of the Decision on the election of the Council of the State Audit Institution, the President, Vice-President and members of the of the Council of the State Audit Institution took the oath of office before the National Assembly.

Ombudsman Zoran Pasalic also took the oath of office before the National Assembly.

As the National Assembly had completed the debate on all the items on the agenda and ruled on them, National Assembly Speaker Dr Vladimir Orlic concluded the First Sitting of the First Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2023.