Ustava Sr

Ustava Sr: The Serbian Constitution

An Overview of Serbia's Constitutional Framework

The Constitution of Serbia (Ustava Srbije) is the supreme law of the Republic of Serbia. It establishes the fundamental principles of the state, defines the rights and freedoms of citizens, and outlines the structure and powers of the government. The Constitution was adopted on November 8, 2006, and has since been amended several times.

Key Provisions of the Serbian Constitution

The Serbian Constitution contains a number of key provisions, including: * **The principle of democracy:** Serbia is a democratic republic, with power vested in the people. * **The rule of law:** The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and all laws and actions of the government must be in accordance with it. * **The separation of powers:** The Constitution divides the government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. * **The protection of human rights:** The Constitution guarantees a number of fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to life, liberty, property, and freedom of expression.

The Structure of the Serbian Government

The Serbian government is divided into three branches: * **The legislative branch:** The National Assembly is the unicameral legislature of Serbia. It is composed of 250 members, who are elected by popular vote for four-year terms. * **The executive branch:** The President is the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The Prime Minister is the head of government and is appointed by the President with the approval of the National Assembly. * **The judicial branch:** The Constitutional Court is the highest court in Serbia. It is composed of 15 judges, who are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms.

Amendments to the Serbian Constitution

The Serbian Constitution has been amended several times since its adoption in 2006. The most recent amendment was adopted in 2022. This amendment introduced a number of changes to the Constitution, including: * **The reduction of the number of members of the National Assembly from 250 to 220.** * **The extension of the term of the President from five years to seven years.** * **The creation of a new Constitutional Court.**

The Serbian Constitution and the European Union

Serbia is a candidate for membership in the European Union. As part of its accession process, Serbia must align its laws and institutions with those of the EU. The Serbian Constitution is generally in line with the EU's acquis communautaire, but some changes will be necessary before Serbia can join the EU.

Conclusion

The Serbian Constitution is the supreme law of the land and establishes the fundamental principles of the state. It guarantees a number of fundamental rights and freedoms and outlines the structure and powers of the government. The Constitution has been amended several times since its adoption in 2006, most recently in 2022. Serbia is a candidate for membership in the European Union and must align its laws and institutions with those of the EU, including its Constitution.