National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia / Activities / Activity details
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Fourth Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008
At the Fourth Sitting of the Second Regular Session, convened for 28 November, then postponed for 18 December 2008, the National Assembly discussed the Proposal for a no-confidence vote in the Government of the Republic of Serbia submitted by a group of 86 deputies from the Democratic Party of Serbia – Vojislav Kostunica, New Serbia and Serbian Radical Party deputy groups.
At the Fourth Sitting of the Second Regular Session, convened for 28 November, then postponed for 18 December 2008, the National Assembly discussed the Proposal for a no-confidence vote in the Government of the
The sitting was attended by the Prime Minister, Mirko Cvetkovic and members of the Government of the
At the beginning of the debate, deputy Slobodan Samardzic, representative of the submitters, pointed out that the Government’s policy towards Kosovo-Metohija, its acceptance of the EULEX Mission and the Government’s economic policy are the reasons that set the no-confidence initiative in motion. He estimated that EULEX is not status-neutral and that it is implementing Marti Ahtisaari’s plan. He criticised the parliamentary majority for its failure to conduct a discussion of no-confidence in the Government before the EULEX Mission was deployed, deeming that the policy of protection of the country’s integrity and sovereignty has been changed.
In the address of the deputy groups’ presidents and authorised representatives, the Serbian Radical Party representative, deputy Ljubomir Kragovic stressed that the Constitution and adopted Kosovo-Metohija resolutions have been violated, and that by accepting the EULEX Mission the Government recognises the independence of Kosovo-Metohija. He requested that the public be informed about the so-called six items accepted by the United Nations Security Council previous to the deployment of the EULEX Mission in Kosovo-Metohija.
The President of the Democratic Party of Serbia – Vojislav Kostunica Deputy Group, Milos Aligrudic, stated that no-confidence in the Government of the Republic of Serbia should be voted due to its policy towards Kosovo-Metohija, as well as its inadequate measures for the prevention of the negative effects of the world financial crisis. He deemed the Government’s policy towards Kosovo-Metohija as contrary to the state policy lead until May 2009. He believes that the EULEX Mission in essence implements Marti Ahtisaari’s plan of independence and that there are no arguments for its being accepted since it is not status-neutral.
The President of the Forward Serbia Deputy Group, Tomislav Nikolic stated that this group’s deputies will vote no-confidence in the Government. He declared that the EULEX Mission is not a good solution for
The President of the Liberal Democratic Party Deputy Group, Cedomir Jovanovic stated that the LDP deputies will not vote no-confidence in the Government of the
The President of the New Serbia Deputy Group, Velimir Ilic believes that the Government of the
In his address, the independent deputy of the Demo-Christian Party of
The Vice-President of the G17 Plus Deputy Group, Vlajko Senic deemed that the Government has a political future if it remains on the course towards European integration. He believes that the unhidden differences among the coalition partners are one of the Government’s qualities. He estimates that the Government has achieved a diplomatic victory by managing to slow down the process of recognition of Kosovo-Metohija’s independence. He declared that
Dragan Markovic Palma, Vice-President of the Socialist Party of Serbia – United Serbia Deputy Group, pointed out the Government’s positive efforts, deeming that it will realise its full mandate in the interest of Serbian citizens. He reminded of the fact that the arrival of the EULEX Mission to Kosovo-Metohija was supported by both
The President of the Party of United Pensioners Deputy Group Momo Colakovic said that the PUPS deputies will support the Government of the
In his address, the President of the Minority Parties Deputy Group, Balint Pastor stressed that the deputies of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians will support the Government because they trust it and support its efforts. He believes that possible new elections would be detrimental, and that
The deputies were then addressed by the Prime Minister of the Government of the
Focusing on the world economic crisis, Prime Minister Cvetkovic stated that it will not bypass
In the afternoon part of work a large number of deputies participated in the debate, giving an estimate of the Government’s work and a list of arguments in favour and against the initiative to vote no-confidence.
Since the National Assembly had completed the unified discussion on the Proposal for a no-confidence vote in the Government of the
Considering that there was no decision-making quorum, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic concluded the Fourth Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the