CDA Eduardo Frei Foundation: Serbia

Political PartiesAlliance of Vojvodina HungariansBosniac Democratic Party of SanjakCivic Alliance of SerbiaDemo-Christian Party of SerbiaDemocratic Party of SerbiaDemocratic PartyG17 PlusLeague of Social Democrats of VojvodinaNew SerbiaParty for Democratic ActionRoma PartyRoma Union of SerbiaSanjak Democratic PartySerbian Democratic Renewal MovementSerbian Radical PartySocial Democratic UnionSocial-Liberal Party of SanjakSocialist Party of SerbiaUnited Serbia

Political environment
The Constitutional Charter consist of a accurate definition of the powers of the new State Union. These consist of five coordinating ministries with joint armed forces and common foreign policies. The parliament elects the new president for a four year term. The members of parliament (126) are indirectly chosen and they will be in parliament for a period of four years. The legislative body consist of 250 seats, these are directly chosen by the Assembly.

The judiciary consists of community courts, a few district courts, a Supreme court and a constitutional court. All these courts have jurisdiction, which means they are entitled to rule in criminal law, civil law and administrative cases. Judges are appointed for life.

In 2003 the parliament of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia agreed to a weaker form of cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro within a co-federal state called Serbia and Montenegro. The union ceased to exist following Montenegrin and Serbian declarations of independence in June 2006.

After the expel of Slobodan Milošević in 2000, the country was governed by the Democratic Opposition of Serbia. Tensions gradually increased within the coalition until the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) left the government, leaving the Democratic Party (DS) in overall control. Nevertheless, in March 2004 the DSS gathered enough support to form the new Government of Serbia, together with G17 Plus and coalition SPO–NS, and the support of the Socialist Party of Serbia, who do not take part in the government, but in exchange for the support hold minor government and justice positions and influence policies. The Prime Minister of Serbia is Vojislav Koštunica, leader of the Democratic Party of Serbia.

The current President of Serbia is Boris Tadić, leader of the Democratic Party (DS). He was elected with 53% of the vote in the second round of the Serbian presidential election held on 27 June 2004.

Serbia held a two-day referendum on October 28 and October 29, 2006, that ratified a new constitution to replace the Milošević-era constitution.

Serbia held Parliamentary elections on 21 January 2007. The Serbian Radical Party claimed victory, but no party has won an absolute majority.

Members of the European People’s Party

Democratic Party of Serbia Y1
For more information see: //www.dss.org.yu

G17PLUS
For more information see: //www.g17plus.org.yu
Projects and activities
Project: 'Women in Politics' - four seminars (May, June, September, and October 2005) EFF Trainers: Clarien Slot-Abeling, Bieke Oskam, Monique Vogelaar, and Gerda Kempen
In October 2003, the KAS in joint co-operation with the EFF organised a conference in Belgrade on "Women in Politics and Society". More than 80 women took part in the conference. Because of its successful outcome, women from Montenegro asked the KAS to organise a similar conference in Montenegro to which only Montenegrin women would be invited. As a result of these successful conferences, the EFF and KAS have initiated a platform for Montenegrin and Serbian women in politics.
In 2005, four seminars on the following topics were organised for Montenegrin and Serbian women who are active in politics: "Women and the Media", "Violence against Women", "Education and Training for Women", and "Women in Power and Decision-Making". Project: Conference for Youth associated with EPP Affiliated Parties (June 2006)
The Konrad Adenauer foundation, in co-operation with the YEPP and the EFF's youth organisations, hosted a conference for youth associated with EPP affiliated parties from the Balkan countries. The conference's goal was to start up a structured dialogue between youth from several Balkan countries and between said youth and like-minded youth from Western European countries. Project: three seminars for youth of G17Plus and DSS (September, October and November 2005) EFF Trainers: Aart van Bochove, Titus Frankemölle, Hans van der Vlies, Bieke Oskam, and Hester Tjalma-den Oudsten
As a result of a fact-finding mission headed by the EFF Board to Serbia and Montenegro, it was decided that, together with the KAS, three training courses would be organised for youth from DSS and G17PLUS. These parties both have big youth organisations and they were pleased to attend courses on the following topics: "Party Management", Decision-Making Practices", "Building Political Arguments", "Political Lobbying", "Coalition Building", and "Performing in Public".

Reports