Serbia — FrontPages.eu

Arena Privatization Confirmed, Wildfires Escalate, Judicial Law Under Scrutiny

Get European news in your inbox daily

A short daily digest of the whole continent — or just the countries you care about.

Choose individual countries instead (or as well)

President Aleksandar Vučić has confirmed plans to privatize the Belgrade Arena through a concession, with the city reportedly lacking funds to manage it professionally. This decision marks a significant development for a major government project, drawing attention to potential private operators.

The country continues to grapple with widespread wildfires, with a blaze in Deliblatska Peščara national park spreading towards the Danube and forcing road closures. Compounding the situation, the Republic Hydrometeorological Service has issued a severe heatwave warning, with temperatures expected to reach 42 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, controversy surrounds proposed changes to the Judicial Academy law, criticized as a 'judicial experiment.' Elsewhere, families at Gazivode Lake face the demolition of eleven structures, while student protests have erupted in Niš and activists in Novi Sad are protesting extended mandates for local community councils.

Top stories

Belgrade Arena Privatization Confirmed

President Aleksandar Vučić has confirmed that the Belgrade Arena will be given to a private operator through a concession, citing the city's lack of funds to manage it professionally. Three potential concessionaires are reportedly under consideration for the major venue.

Wildfires Escalate, Severe Heatwave Warning Issued

Widespread wildfires continue to plague the country, with a significant blaze in Deliblatska Peščara national park spreading towards the Danube river and affecting hunting grounds, leading to the closure of roads to Dubovac and Bela Crkva. The Republic Hydrometeorological Service has issued a severe heatwave warning, with temperatures expected to reach up to 42 degrees Celsius across parts of the country.

Judicial Academy Law Changes Spark Controversy

Proposed amendments to the Law on the Judicial Academy are being described as a 'judicial experiment' by Stefan Gojković from the Association of Judicial Assistants, who suggests they may aim to make the academy the sole entry point into the judiciary.

Insajder Gojković: Proposed changes to Judicial Academy law are a judicial experiment ↗

Families Evacuate as Gazivode Demolitions Loom

The deadline for the demolition of eleven structures on the shores of Gazivode Lake has passed, with at least two families seeking legal protection after their requests for temporary measures were denied.

Vreme Waiting for Demolishers: Families Evacuate Eleven Structures at Gazivode ↗

Political Maneuvering Ahead of Potential Early Elections

Political tensions are rising as speculation about early elections circulates among members of the ruling Progressive Party. Analysts suggest that recent decisions by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) create a risky situation for both Ivica Dačić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, and President Aleksandar Vučić.

Student Protests and Local Election Concerns

Students in Niš have initiated blockade protests, calling for nationwide participation in an initiative aimed at addressing concerns over state funding for universities. Separately, activists in Novi Sad are protesting the extension of mandates for local community councils instead of holding new elections, arguing it undermines direct democracy and violates the law.

Fatal Accident at 'Drmno' Mine

An employee of the Serbian state power company EPS has died in an accident at the 'Drmno' open-pit mine in Kostolac.

Insajder EPS: Worker dies at 'Drmno' mine in Kostolac ↗

Bakery Closure Linked to Political Pressure

The bakery owned by Bojan Popović, a local councilor, in Nova Varoš was closed, with Popović attributing the closure to political pressure.

Vreme Mold or Bloody Fist: Why a Bakery in Nova Varoš Was Closed ↗

Inflation Mixed: Good Harvest vs. High Core Inflation

While a good harvest of fruits and vegetables has contributed to a drop in overall inflation, core inflation in the country remains stubbornly high, posing ongoing challenges for citizens.

Danas Good Harvest Lowers Inflation, But Core Inflation Remains High ↗

Fatal Road Accident in Mladenovac

One person has died in a collision involving a bus and a car in Mladenovac.

N1 One person died in collision between bus and car in Mladenovac ↗