**Judges Feel the Heat: Serbia’s Judiciary Under Pressure**
In a worrying development, Serbia’s judges and prosecutors are feeling the squeeze from state officials. According to Judge Vesna Danilovic, the pressure exerted by elected officials on the judiciary has reached a boiling point. In an interview with N1 on Thursday, she stated that the line has been crossed, leaving the courts in a precarious situation.
The Administrative Court judge expressed her concerns about the attacks and aggressive statements made by government officials against the judiciary. She emphasized that judges and prosecutors have a duty to speak up and defend their independence. Danilovic hopes that their demands will be met, but it remains to be seen whether the state will take heed.
**A Symbiosis of Power**
Judge Danilovic pointed out that Serbia’s legislative and executive branches have been working in tandem over the past few months, leaving the judiciary isolated and vulnerable. She described a situation where only the judiciary has been left to face pressure from members of parliament and the president. This kind of symbiosis can be detrimental to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
**A Call for Change**
In response to the mounting pressure, a group of around 600 judges and public prosecutors have called for an emergency meeting with the country’s top judiciary bodies by the end of the month. The aim is to discuss the state of the judiciary and find ways to safeguard its independence. This move highlights the growing concern among judges about their ability to function freely and impartially.
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