No Conflict: Vojvodina Statute and Constitution

By: Milen Vesovic
Belgrade, Nov.23 (Serbia Today) – After a two hour hearing, the Serbian Parliament Committee for Constitutional Affairs, has agreed to allow debate to move forward on the Autonomy for Vojvodina Province bill in Parliament on Tuesday, November 24th.
President of the National Assembly of Serbia, Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, told reporters after the meeting that the Committee for Constitutional Affairs reviewed the proposed language in the bill and found that Vojvodina has the right to increase autonomy, as described in the bill, within the confines of the constitution, and that the proposals in the bill do not infringe upon the unique rights associated with statehood.
Board members from the Socialist Party of Serbia and G17 Plus stated that the proposed solution is in accordance with the Constitution of Serbia and announced their support.
Head of the parliamentary group of the Liberal Democratic Party, Cedomir Jovanovic, said that the issues of the autonomy in the bill are being misinterpreted. Jovanovic expressed his protest. He said that the measures in the Autonomous Vojvodina Province bill in its current form pushed the issue of decentralization of the entire state too far.
Head of the center right Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), Milos Aligrudic, told a meeting of the board that the proposed law is based on the principle of separatism, that the proposed solutions would have only negative repercussions, and the DSS will not support the proposed bill.