First published: June 26, 2026 at 08:07 AM
Last update: June 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Issue
Issue for June 26, 2026
This is the stable daily issue page at `/digest/2026-06-26/`: all updates for the day are collected in one feed with a verification log.
Last update: June 28, 2026 at 10:00 AMCards: 8Stories: 2
Fresh issue
June 26, 2026
In the June 26 issue: Serbia is under heat warnings and a heatwave through July 2, with public-health institute guidance; central Belgrade has street closures and transport changes from June 26 to 29 for the SNS rally; Studentski grad residents want a written guarantee for relocation from the F wing because of EXPO 2027; Beograd na vodi received a permit for a 629-apartment complex on the former main BAS bus-station site; from June 26 to July 3 petrol rises to 193 dinars while eurodiesel stays at 217 dinars; Transparency Serbia criticizes the political-finance bill as submitted without ODIHR's opinion; four REM Council members would return only with guarantees; and the 28.71 km Adrani-Preljina section opens on the Morava Corridor.
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Issue cards
On June 26, yellow or orange weather alerts cover much of Serbia: outlets citing RHMZ report a tropical day, very high UV index, and highs up to 36-37 °C. Danas says the heatwave is expected to last until July 2 with temperatures up to 39 °C, 021 warns Novi Sad of 38-39 °C over the weekend, and public-health institutes advise avoiding open sun during the hottest hours and watching for heatstroke symptoms.
N1RHMZ activates orange and yellow alerts ahead of a tropical dayDanasA heatwave has begun in Serbia, but last June remains the most extreme021Extreme heat in Novi Sad over the weekendDanasCity public-health institute publishes heat-protection recommendationsN1Batut explains how to protect yourself during extremely high temperatures
Open news item
From 04:00 on June 26 to 04:00 on June 29, parts of Bulevar kralja Aleksandra, Decanska, Trg Nikole Pasica, and Kneza Milosa close in central Belgrade, with tram and bus reroutes. Beoinfo confirms that on June 27 from 15:00 until the event ends, trams 2L, 7L, 8, 9L, 10, 12, 14 and trolleybuses 19, 21, 22, 28, 29 are canceled because the contact network is switched off, and deviations are possible depending on field conditions.
N1Preparations for SNS rally outside parliament: streets closed and city transport lines changedDanasStreet closures for the SNS rally in Belgrade from June 26 to 29NovostiCity secretariat announces street closures and line changes from tomorrow to Monday for a large gatheringBeoinfo / City of BelgradeOfficial notice: street closures and line changes for a large gathering
Open news item
On June 26, N1 published reactions from Dom 2 residents at Studentski grad to the requirement that the F wing be vacated by April 16, 2027 for EXPO 2027. Studentski centar "Beograd" promises temporarily relocated students housing within its capacity under the same conditions, but students say the phrase "subject to capacity" is not a clear written guarantee, especially given dorm pressure and the timing of colloquiums and exams.
Context: EXPO 2027 in Belgrade
Danas reports that on June 23 Belgrade's Secretariat for Urbanism issued Beograd na vodi a permit for a residential and business complex on the former main BAS bus-station site in Karadjordjeva Street; the decision was published on June 24. The project includes five buildings with a shared garage, 629 apartments, 26 business premises, and 823 parking spaces, with estimated works valued at 9.4 billion dinars.
Danas reports that from 15:00 on June 26 until 15:00 on July 3, a liter of eurodiesel in Serbia costs up to 217 dinars and a liter of Europremium BMB petrol 193 dinars. Diesel is unchanged from last week, while petrol is 2 dinars higher.
On June 26, Transparency Serbia said amendments to the Law on Financing Political Activities entered parliamentary procedure before ODIHR published an opinion and still fail to solve oversight, sanctions, and spending-limit problems. The Finance Committee scheduled four public hearings: June 30 in Kragujevac, July 1 in Nis, July 2 in Novi Sad, and July 3 in Belgrade.
Novosti reports that on June 26 at 17:00 a Morava Corridor motorway section opens from the Adrani interchange near Kraljevo to the Preljina interchange near Cacak. The 28.71 km section connects Kraljevo with the Milos Veliki motorway at Preljina and should shorten travel between two economic centers in the region.
On June 26, Dubravka Valić Nedeljković said four elected REM Council members who had resigned would return only with guarantees: the ninth member should be chosen after national-council elections, and Ištvan Bodžoni should not be on the candidate harmonization list. The parliamentary committee meanwhile concluded that there are no legal obstacles to their return because parliament did not verify the resignations.
Context: Serbia and EU accession
Context
Long-running stories with updates
Stories
Serbia and EU accession
This story tracks Serbia's EU talks, the rule of law, media issues and foreign-policy alignment. In July, at least five EU states opposed opening Cluster 3, the European Commission flagged problems in justice, anti-corruption policy and journalist safety, and Serbia aligned with two of six new EU foreign-policy decisions.
- On July 29, the EU said Serbia aligned with decisions on Lebanon and Sudan but not with four restrictive-measures decisions linked to Russia, cyberattacks and serious human-rights abuses. The other Western Balkan candidates aligned with all four.
- Serbia has not opened new negotiation chapters since December 2021. In July, at least five EU states opposed opening Cluster 3; no new decision to open the cluster has been made.
- The European Commission's July 17 report flags political pressure on courts and prosecutors, an unimplemented part of the anti-corruption plan, problems with REM and worsening journalist safety.
- Four independent REM Council members decided to take up work, but the ninth seat remains vacant. The first vote for chair ended 4-4, so the Council's leadership has not yet been elected.
- Parliament adopted a package of five judicial laws on June 25. The Venice Commission's follow-up opinion found seven of nine recommendations implemented, but the return of two TOK prosecutors and the autonomy of the cybercrime unit were not fully resolved.
- The next checkable milestones are EU-state consensus on Cluster 3, completion and leadership of the REM Council, and resolution of the remaining judicial-reform concerns.
Timeline
How the story developed
Serbia last opened new EU negotiation chapters in December 2021; that fact again became part of the dispute around Cluster 3.
Parliament adopted amendments to five judicial laws on MP Ugljesa Mrdic's proposal; professional groups and the EU later criticized them as a risk to prosecutorial autonomy and judicial independence.
The Venice Commission published an urgent opinion on the January amendments and issued seven key recommendations to address the shortcomings.
The Justice Ministry sent improved working drafts of the judicial-law amendments to parliament for transmission to Venice Commission rapporteurs.
Ana Brnabic said the Venice Commission gave a positive opinion on the package, that the amendments would go to parliament next week, and that she expects Cluster 3 to open soon.
The Venice Commission published its follow-up opinion: Serbia implemented seven of nine recommendations, but two key areas - the return of two organized-crime prosecutors and autonomy for the cybercrime unit - are not fully implemented.
Parliament put amendments to five judicial laws on an extraordinary session agenda, including laws on public prosecution, judges, the High Prosecutorial Council, court and prosecutor territories, and bodies for fighting high-tech crime.
VST decided to assign Irena Bjelos, Aleksandar Barac, and Boris Majlat to TOK for three years; the decision for Bjelos and Barac passed with nine votes in favor and one abstention, while Majlat's passed with eight in favor, one against, and one abstention.
Platforma za evropsku Srbiju informed EU institutions of allegedly different judicial-law texts for the Venice Commission and parliament; the Justice Ministry rejected the claims of differences.
At the extraordinary session on 32 agenda items, parliament debated 37 amendments to the key judicial laws in the Mrdic package. N1 reports that opposition amendments were rejected; the sitting ended at about 18:00 and is scheduled to continue on June 24 at 10:00.
Parliament finished detailed debate on all 32 items of the extraordinary session; voting, including on the judicial-law package, is scheduled for June 25 at 10:00.
Parliament adopted a package of five judicial laws, and the government formed a negotiating team for Serbia's inclusion in the EU 'Roam Like at Home' regime.
Dubravka Valić Nedeljković said four elected REM Council members whose resignations were not verified by parliament are ready to return only with guarantees: the ninth member should be chosen after national-council elections, and Ištvan Bodžoni should not be on the candidate harmonization list.
RFE/RL/N1/Danas reported that the Netherlands officially opposes opening Cluster 3 with Serbia, while diplomatic sources say at least five EU states oppose it, including three Baltic states and Sweden.
Four independent REM Council members said they decided to take up work after parliament adopted an authentic interpretation of the Electronic Media Law; their earlier resignation statements were interpreted as having no independent legal effect because they had not taken office.
The European Parliament's official X account posted its position on the rule of law, democratic standards, free and fair elections, and normalization of relations with Kosovo. The post was not a new negotiating decision.
European Parliament rapporteur Tonino Picula told N1 that the preparation, conduct, and aftermath of future elections would be an important criterion in assessing Brussels' relations with Belgrade. He also judged opening Cluster 3 unlikely; this is his assessment, not a new EU decision.
The European Commission published Serbia's chapter in its annual Rule of Law Report. It cites political pressure on courts and prosecutors, problems with implementing the anti-corruption plan, REM, and journalist safety; it is not a decision to open a negotiation cluster.
Stories
EXPO 2027 in Belgrade
This story follows preparations for the EXPO 2027 specialized exhibition in Belgrade: the budget, Surcin construction sites, the national stadium, infrastructure, and decisions that affect city services, schools, and residents' daily life.
- EXPO 2027 in Belgrade is an international exhibition project whose construction, infrastructure, school visits, and contract transparency are all part of the public story.
- On July 2, 2026, N1/Beta and Kurir reported that the Education Ministry sent primary and secondary schools guidance for study visits to EXPO 2027: the visits are planned for May 17-June 25, 2027, are not mandatory, require parent or legal-guardian consent, and transport and tickets for pupils are promised free.
- On June 26, 2026, N1 published reactions from residents of Studentski grad's F wing: they want a clear written guarantee of relocation under the same conditions, because Studentski centar's phrase "subject to capacity" leaves uncertainty over places, roommates, and a move during academic deadlines.
- On June 22, 2026, CINS published an investigation into EXPO 2027 contractors and suppliers in Surcin: the outlet did not obtain a full official list, but confirmed more than 200 firms through documents, interviews, and databases, including companies with criminal, political, or pro-government links.
- CINS examples include Makis beton, PZP Valjevo, NM Kop, C&LC Kameni agregati, CAP 1 ALCZ, and Betonjerka Cacak; Danas republished the investigation the same day in its economy section.
- On June 19, 2026, Danas reported that Vojvodina school calendars for 2026/27, like the Education Ministry calendars, require schools to plan one-day student visits to EXPO between May 17 and June 25, 2027.
- After criticism, the Education Ministry said organized EXPO visits are not mandatory school activities and can happen only by each school's decision and with parent or legal-guardian consent.
- The EXPO story is not only a construction and budget project: decisions around the exhibition are already entering school planning, the public dispute over voluntary participation, and questions about public-spending transparency.
- On June 24, N1, Danas, and 021 reported that Dom 2’s F wing at Studentski grad must be vacated by April 16, 2027: according to a Studentski centar “Beograd” notice, the block is allocated to EXPO 2027 from May 1 to August 30, 2027; Studentski centar later told N1 this is temporary relocation of some students, not eviction, and promised housing within its capacity under the same conditions.
Timeline
How the story developed
The Education Ministry sent schools guidance for study visits to EXPO 2027: N1/Beta and Kurir reported that visits are planned for May 17-June 25, 2027, are not mandatory, require parent or legal-guardian consent, and transport and tickets should be free for pupils.
N1 published reactions from Studentski grad residents: Studentski centar promises temporarily relocated students housing under the same conditions, but students want a clear written guarantee and point to crowded dorms, exam deadlines, and the unclear phrase "subject to capacity".
Media reported a Studentski centar “Beograd” notice: residents of Dom 2’s F wing at Studentski grad must vacate rooms by April 16, 2027 because the block will be used for EXPO 2027; Studentski centar then described this as temporary relocation of some students, not eviction.
CINS published an investigation into more than 200 firms confirmed as EXPO 2027 contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers, including companies linked to people from criminal circles and people close to the authorities; Danas republished the investigation.
Danas reported that Vojvodina school calendars for 2026/27 also plan one-day student visits to EXPO from May 17 to June 25, 2027; the Education Ministry says the visits are not mandatory and require a school decision and parental consent.