CCE: Nikolić the most active MP of the 28th convocation of the Parliament

Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Andrija Nikolić is the most active MP in the current convocation of the Parliament, with more than 30 hours of speeches in the plenum from July 27, 2023 to March 31 of this year, the Center for Civic Education (CCE) announced.

CCE program associate Nikola Đurašević said that the non-governmental organization analyzed the activities of deputies of the 28th convocation of the Parliament in the plenum from July 27, 2023 to March 31 of this year, based on data obtained through requests for free access to information.

"The findings show marked differences in the activities of MPs and parliamentary groups, with the most active in plenary debates being opposition MPs," said Đurašević.

As he stated, this indicates their stronger reliance on the plenum as a space for political action, control of the executive branch, public articulation of positions, and raising topics of importance to citizens.

"By far the most active was DPS MP Andrija Nikolić, who spoke in the plenum for almost 30 hours, 24 minutes and five seconds," the statement said.

It is stated that European Union MP Boris Mugoša is next, with 24 hours, 20 minutes and 24 seconds, while the other five most active include three DPS MPs - Mihailo Anđušić with 18 hours, four minutes and three seconds, Aleksandra Vuković Kuč with 16 hours, 25 minutes and 30 seconds and Aleksandra Despotović with 15 hours, 35 minutes and 26 seconds.

As announced, they are followed by the leader of the Democratic People's Party (DNP) Milan Knežević with 14 hours, 39 minutes and 24 seconds and the MP of the Europe Now Movement (PES) Vasilije Čarapić with 14 hours, 31 minutes and 43 seconds.

Đurašević pointed out that among the MPs with the lowest participation in plenary debates, Gordan Stojović from PES once again stands out, having spoken for only 15 minutes and 14 seconds in almost three years.

"Next is Milena Vuković from the Civic Movement URA, with just over 16 minutes and 20 seconds (noting that she took over the parliamentary mandate less than a year ago), then Vladimir Bakrač from PES with 34 minutes and 26 seconds, Jelena Kljajević from DNP with 47 minutes and 50 seconds," said Đurašević.

He stated that Albanian Forum MP Artan Čobi spoke for 50 minutes and 45 seconds, and Vladimir Dobričanin from United Montenegro had 56 minutes and 38 seconds of speech in the plenum.

Đurašević said that although the length of the address is not the only measure of the quality of parliamentary work, this data represents an important indicator of the visibility and activity of MPs in one of the key functions of the Parliament - public debate.

"The plenum is the place where laws are discussed, questions are asked to the executive branch, political positions are articulated, and parliamentary control of the Government is exercised," said Đurašević.

As he stated, therefore, minimal or almost symbolic participation in debates raises the issue of the relationship to the parliamentary mandate and public accountability, especially considering that citizens do not elect and do not pay MPs to be "mute observers of political processes."

Đurašević said that, when it comes to the overall activity of parliamentary groups, the DPS parliamentary group is in the lead, with its members speaking in the plenum for a total of 201 hours and 29 minutes, while the PES parliamentary group is in second place with a total of 80 hours and 30 minutes spent in plenary debates.

"Such a large difference between the two most active clubs, and at the same time the two strongest political entities in the Parliament, also indicates different approaches to using the plenum as a space for political communication and institutional oversight," added Đurašević.

As he stated, the Democratic parliamentary group is in third place with a total of 64 hours, 24 minutes and 54 seconds of speaking, while the URA parliamentary group recorded 41 hours, 18 minutes and 53 seconds.

"Following them is the New Serbian Democracy parliamentary group, whose deputies spoke for 39 hours, 22 minutes and three seconds," said Đurašević.

He pointed out that the Bosniak Party parliamentary group had a total of 33 hours, 39 minutes and 57 seconds of speaking, while the European Union spoke in the plenary for 33 hours, one minute and 42 seconds, and the DNP parliamentary group recorded 27 hours, four minutes and 25 seconds of speaking.

Đurašević said that the Special Group of Deputies had less time in the plenum, with a total of 13 hours, 59 minutes and 45 seconds, and the SNP-CIVIS Group of Deputies with 11 hours, 45 minutes and 20 seconds.

"Also, the parliamentary group of the Democratic Union of Albanians and the Croatian Civic Initiative used six hours, 11 minutes and 29 seconds, and the Albanian Forum three hours, 57 minutes and 24 seconds of presentation in the plenum," the statement said.

It is emphasized that the CCE analysis indicates that the parliamentary activity of MPs and parliamentary caucuses needs to be systematically monitored and regularly made public, so that citizens have a clearer insight into how their elected representatives use the mandate entrusted to them.

"The transparency of this data can contribute to greater accountability of MPs, strengthening trust in institutions, and a better understanding of the real contribution of each parliamentary group and individual to the work of the Parliament," the statement said.