Serbian Media Regulator REM Still Without Elected President

The Council of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM) in Serbia has held two constitutive sessions without electing a president. In the first session on 20 July, candidates Miloš Garić and Mileva Malešević each received four votes, insufficient for the required six‑out‑of‑eight majority. A second session in late July saw the same two candidates – Miloš Garić and Dubravka Valić Nedeljković – receive four and three votes respectively in both voting rounds, leaving the post vacant.

The council, chaired by the oldest member Dubravka Valić Nedeljković, agreed to continue consultations and scheduled another extraordinary meeting for the second half of August. Members discussed improving transparency, such as publishing detailed minutes, and planned visits to media outlets to assess licensing needs. Council member Miloš Garić emphasized responsibility and good will as essential for reaching a consensus, while ANEM head Veran Matić warned that the government appears to be buying time ahead of upcoming elections. The next session is expected between 20 August and 1 September, with hopes of finally appointing a president to enable REM’s full operation.