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Serbian referendum approved constitutional changes — country’s president

Aleksandar Vucic said that the turnout was more than 1.8 million people, or 30% of eligible voters

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic

© Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

BELGRADE, January 17. /TASS/. Most people of Serbia voted in favor of changes in the country’s justice system at a referendum on Sunday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in an address to the nation.

More than 60% of the ballots were in favor of the constitutional changes after about 97% of the ballots were counted, he said. The turnout was more than 1.8 million people, or 30% of eligible voters, he said.

"I congratulate the people of Serbia that voted for the changes in the Constitution," he said. "Serbia sent a positive signal to the world."

"I believe that we will be able in the period ahead of us to make steps for further democratization and independence of the judiciary," Vucic went on to say.

The remaining ballots won’t affect the outcome of the vote, the president said.

The changes mean a council of judges, rather than the parliament, will elect judges, among other changes. Also, a council of prosecutors, rather than the parliament, will elect prosecutors.

The referendum was called as the EU demanded that Serbia change its judiciary system.

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