Serbian Parliament Passes Justice Reforms Amid Council of Europe Criticism and Street Protests

The National Assembly of Serbia approved a package of amendments to its justice system, including changes to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the High Prosecutorial Council, court organization and legislation on high‑tech crime. The amendments were sent to the Venice Commission for review. At the same time, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution expressing concern over the lack of dialogue between authorities and opposition, threats to judicial independence, corruption, media freedoms and alleged use of sonic weapons during protests.

In Belgrade, the city council passed a re‑balancing of the municipal budget and a plan to clear part of the Bajdin forest for private housing, prompting heated confrontations in the city assembly. Separate demonstrations were organised by workers of the public transport company GSP, who marched to the President’s Office to deliver a petition demanding the suspension of public‑private partnership tenders and the purchase of new trolleybuses and buses. Opposition figures also accused the government of controlling media narratives and criticised recent legislative changes as back‑sliding on democratic standards.

These developments reflect mounting political tension in Serbia, with legislative reforms, international criticism and street‑level protests intersecting over governance, public services and democratic standards.