Serbia Parliament debates 166 amendments to 2026 budget rebalance

The National Assembly of Serbia is engaged in intensive debates regarding 166 amendments to the proposed 2026 budget rebalance. The session features an extensive 59-point agenda covering finance, justice, corruption prevention, and media laws.

Members of the ruling coalition, primarily from the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), have expressed support for the rebalance, describing it as a developmental measure that provides stability. They have also proposed additional allocations from budget reserves for local projects across Serbia.

Opposition lawmakers have criticized the proposal, arguing that funds allocated for major capital projects—such as the EXPO exhibition, the National Stadium, and the Belgrade Waterfront—should instead be redirected toward healthcare, social protection, student standards, and agriculture. Specific opposition demands include the payment of unpaid pensions from 2014–2018 and increased support for farmers.

During the debates, Finance Minister Siniša Mali defended the Belgrade Waterfront project, stating the state holds a 33 percent ownership stake and that the project has created thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, opposition representatives have raised concerns regarding rising public debt and the impact of current economic policies on the average citizen's cost of living.