Serbia Parliament debates budget rebalance and social spending

The Serbian Parliament is engaged in intensive sessions regarding the 2026 budget rebalance and various legislative amendments. A central point of debate involves the allocation of funds, with opposition members criticizing the prioritization of large-scale projects like the Belgrade Waterfront and the EXPO exhibition over social welfare, healthcare, and student standards. In response, Finance Minister Siniša Mali defended the Belgrade Waterfront project, arguing it has transformed the city's economy and provided significant state ownership value.

Simultaneously, the government has announced a major economic support package exceeding 600 million euros, targeting approximately three million citizens through one-time payments for pensioners, social aid recipients, and veterans.

On the regulatory front, the European Commission is closely monitoring the sale of Adria News Network (ANN) to Alpac Capital. The Commission expressed concerns regarding media pluralism and editorial independence in Serbia, noting that the transaction will be reviewed in the context of Serbia’s EU accession negotiations and the European Media Freedom Act.