Klanšček Leaves RTS as Regulator Says Its Board Lacks a Legal Quorum

Klanšček Leaves RTS as Regulator Says Its Board Lacks a Legal Quorum
Branislav Klanšček, the former president of Radio Television Serbia’s (RTS) Management Board, has confirmed that he is leaving the public broadcaster. “The truth is! It is true that I am leaving the RTS Management Board. A statement will be issued tomorrow in which I will speak in more detail about this topic,” he told Telegraf.

Klanšček’s mandate had already expired during the summer. His announcement came after the RTS Management Board asked the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) to clarify its legal status and powers pending the appointment of a new board. The request was intended to ensure the public service could continue operating without disruption.

REM subsequently said that the mandates of six of the board’s nine members had “unconditionally expired.” Citing the Public Media Services Act, the regulator said the board, in its current composition, lacks a legal quorum and cannot adopt valid decisions—including a decision to appoint an acting director-general.

The board had taken a different view. According to the account published by Telegraf, it had relied since July 13 on the Information and Telecommunications Ministry’s position that existing members had a legal basis to continue serving until a new board took office. REM rejected that interpretation, saying ministry opinions on extending mandates for continuity do not have the force of law.

For now, REM said RTS’s day-to-day operations will be handled by currently authorized representatives. The regulator also said it would urgently align its rulebook, then open a competition and begin selecting a new RTS Management Board.