Marathon session of the Niš City Assembly ended after 20 hours at 5:14 AM: 'I would ask you to stay until eight'

Marathon session of the Niš City Assembly ended after 20 hours at 5:14 AM: ‘I would ask you to stay until eight’ The Niš City Assembly session, which began on March 17th at 9 AM, concluded on March 18th at 5:14 AM after more than 20 hours. The ruling majority, led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), rejected the opposition’s requests to divide the session over two days, opting instead to continue until all agenda items were addressed. This practice of marathon sessions has been ongoing since the current assembly’s constitution on August 12, 2024, with the constitutive session itself lasting 18 hours.

• The Niš City Assembly session concluded at 5:14 AM on March 18th, after lasting over 20 hours.
• The session began on March 17th at 9 AM, with 38 items on the agenda.
• The ruling majority, led by the SNS, voted against splitting the session into two days, despite opposition requests.
• Marathon sessions have been a feature since the current assembly’s constitution on August 12, 2024.
• The presiding officer, Igor Novaković (SPS), humorously suggested assembly members stay until 8 AM as they dispersed.
• The ruling coalition viewed these lengthy sessions as more efficient and reducing the possibility of opposition obstruction.
• The opposition argued that important decisions made late at night, when public attention is low and members are exhausted, are not beneficial.