Four newly elected members of the REM Council have submitted their resignations.

We, the undersigned elected members of the REM Council, are addressing the public following the decision of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia not to elect all nine members of the Council, even though the complete list of candidates passed the legal procedure, public hearings, and received confirmation from the Committee for Culture and Information. 

With this act, the ruling majority has brought us to a fait accompli – a situation in which we are expected to participate in a process that is fundamentally meaningless. This sends a message that institutions can be filled selectively, according to the needs of the ruling parties, even when it is in accordance with the law and established procedures. 

Under such circumstances, we believe that the only honorable and responsible step is to resign, as we do not agree to be appointed in a process that places politics above the law. Our participation in REM would only make sense if the Council were elected in full and if there were a possibility to operate independently, professionally, and in the public interest. 

We want to be completely clear: this is not a withdrawal from the fight. On the contrary, this situation demonstrates precisely why the struggle has been and remains necessary. 

Thanks to the pressure from the public, independent organizations, the professional community, national councils, and the matured democratic awareness in society, for the first time in many years, we had real competition and the highest number of independent proposals. This is an achievement that remains and cannot be erased. Today’s decision by the ruling majority has only confirmed how the authorities view institutions – as something that exists to serve personal needs, rather than the citizens and the public interest. 

This process has also confirmed that there is a large number of people, organizations, movements, and political options in Serbia that know Serbia can do better and are fighting for such a Serbia. We entered this process honorably, ready to take responsibility and to contribute to a better REM and a better media landscape in Serbia through our work. Today we declare: we will not accept political manipulations that turn laws into a mockery. The struggle continues – for institutions, for the rule of law, for a society where decisions are made according to the law, not political will. 

We have the right to this. We advocate for this. And we will continue to fight for this. 

Elected members of the REM Council: 

Rodoljub Šabić 

Ira Prodanov Krajišnik 

Mileva Malešić 

Dubravka Valić Nedeljković