REM says the council can decide without an elected chair
REM spokesperson Olivera Zekić said the council may adopt decisions before electing a chair if members agree and the oldest member, Dubravka Valić Nedeljković, presides. The law and internal rules do not expressly regulate this situation; another attempt to elect a chair and deputy is scheduled for July 30.
What matters
Interim chairing
Zekić said the oldest member, Dubravka Valić Nedeljković, may preside until a chair is elected.
Legal gap
The law, REM statute and rules of procedure do not expressly say whether the council may decide without an elected chair.
New vote
At the first session on July 20, Mileva Malešić and Miloš Garić each received four votes while six are required; a new session is set for July 30.
Breakdown by publication
How sources frame this story
Mobile shows the first 2; the full breakdown is available on desktop.
N1: REM council can decide without an elected chair
N1 reports Olivera Zekić's statement and lawyer Gordana Konstantinović's assessment that, amid a legal gap, the oldest member may preside and the council may decide. At the July 20 session, the chair candidates received four votes each instead of the required six.
N1: REM Council meeting set for July 30
Council chair Dubravka Valić Nedeljković told FoNet that the meeting to continue the election of a chair and deputy is scheduled for Thursday, July 30.
Overall takeaway
N1 reports not a final interpretation by a court or lawmakers, but Zekić's position and a legal assessment amid a gap in the rules: decisions are formally possible, but a stable operating arrangement is not yet established.
What this means for residents
Decisions formally possible
Zekić and a lawyer cited by N1 consider that the council can formally operate, but Zekić is unsure members will agree.
Date to watch
The July 30 session is the next test of whether the new council can elect its leadership and move to regular work.