Montenegro passes constitutional amendments; Serbia proposes budget rebalance

constitutional amendments EU integration Montenegro budget rebalance Serbia

The Montenegrin Parliament has unanimously passed constitutional amendments concerning the Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils and the Central Bank. The amendments, which received 68 votes, are viewed by government officials as a critical step toward fulfilling EU integration obligations and strengthening the rule of law. While proponents highlight the move as a demonstration of political consensus and readiness for EU membership, opposition leaders, including DPS President Danijel Živković, expressed concerns that the changes grant excessive authority to the judiciary without sufficient oversight.

In Serbia, the government is proceeding with a 2026 budget rebalance. Finance Minister Siniša Mali stated the rebalance is intended to redistribute higher-than-expected revenues toward capital investments and social assistance for citizens, including pensioners and families. However, the Fiscal Council has criticized the proposal, warning that the rebalance will increase the fiscal deficit from 3% to 3.5% of GDP, an expansion they deem economically unjustified given current growth projections.

Entities

Aleksandar Vučić · Ana Brnabić · Andrija Mandić · Belgrade Waterfront · Danijel Živković · European Commission · European Union · National Assembly of Serbia · Parliament of Montenegro · Parliament of Serbia · Serbia · Siniša Mali

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] Serbian Finance Minister Siniša Mali presented a 2026 budget rebalance driven by higher-than-projected revenues. vojvodinauzivo.rs · www.kurir.rs · novosadska.tv · n1info.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced significant pension increases will occur within the current year.
[● 3 SOURCES] Parliamentary majority deputy Jelena Božović stated the amendments are aligned with the European Commission. cginfo.me · bizniscg.me
[● 4 SOURCES] The Serbian Fiscal Council criticized the budget rebalance for increasing the deficit from 3% to 3.5% of GDP. n1info.rs · savremenapolitika.com · biznis.rs
[● 4 SOURCES] Under the proposed Serbian budget rebalance, all adult citizens are to receive 6,000 dinars in assistance. novosadska.tv · www.kurir.rs · vojvodinauzivo.rs
[DISPUTED] The Montenegrin Parliament unanimously adopted constitutional amendments concerning the Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and the Central Bank. cginfo.me · cetinjskilist.com · borba.me
[○ 1 SOURCE] Deputy Prime Minister Filip Ivanović stated the adoption of amendments fulfills a key obligation for Montenegro's EU integration. tvpljevlja.me
[● 4 SOURCES] DPS President Danijel Živković warned that the proposed amendments grant excessive power to the judiciary. cginfo.me · bizniscg.me
[● 3 SOURCES] Montenegrin officials believe all EU negotiation chapters will be closed by the end of the year. borba.me · radiobijelopolje.me
[○ 1 SOURCE] The constitutional changes aim to combat corruption by removing immunity for ministers suspected of corruption.
[DISPUTED] The Montenegrin Parliament adopted constitutional amendments regarding the Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils and the Central Bank. otvoreno.me · radiobijelopolje.me · cetinjskilist.com · cginfo.me
[● 2 SOURCES] European Parliament rapporteur Marjan Šarec urged Montenegrin political actors to complete the EU agenda before the upcoming elections.