The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia opened its doors for all members of the public on 3 July 2004; from now on, on every last Saturday of every month, interested members of the public will have the opportunity to pay us a visit.

The first guests were greeted at the National Assembly by the Chairman, Predrag Markovic, who bade them welcome. Talking to the visitors in his office, Mr Markovic said that opening the parliament’s doors was a good custom, observed all over the world, and expressed his satisfaction at the positive reaction from the general public. The atmosphere in the Chairman’s office was relaxed, as Mr Markovic patiently answered all questions, while some of the visitors presented the Chairman with symbolic gifts, expressing their delight at finally being able to visit the Assembly.

Guides then took the visitors on a tour of the building, explaining the layout and purpose of the building’s spaces, and presenting the activities of the National Assembly in the plenary hall. During the presentation, the guests sat in deputies’ seats, used deputies’ identification cards and carried the motion that the Open Door Day should become standard practice at the National Assembly.

The secretary of the National Assembly, Marko Danilovic, and the assistant secretary, Mirjana Radakovic, along with their Information Service colleagues, presented the electronic voting system and answered the guests’ questions.

Members of the public discussed their problems with representatives of deputies’ groups in the foyer outside the plenary hall, afterwards moving on to refreshments in the Assembly restaurant.

The visit ended with a tour of the press room and the research centre. All visitors were presented with a souvenir brochure on the activities of the National Assembly.

The first Open Door Day received good media coverage. Journalists, photographers and camera crews accompanied all three visitor groups organised on Saturday 3 July.

The Open Door Day programme is realised by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia with the support of OSCE, representatives of which were also guests of the National Assembly on Saturday.

Members of the public did not hide their pleasure at being able to visit the Assembly building, talk to the National Assembly Chairman and deputies, sit in deputies’ seats and vote for the first time.

‘It was magnificent! We even took a vote on developing this idea further. I spoke with the Assembly Chairman about promises that haven’t been fulfilled, namely about the restitution act. For four years they haven’t been making their promises good, and they’ve been asking for our votes. He smiled at me and explained the procedure for passing legislation’, said Nada Stojanovic.

‘It was really nice, just like on television. I’m not interested in politics, but I think that politicians should argue less and work more’, commented Muharem Berati.

‘It’s good that someone finally remembered to let us pensioners see how they do things at the Assembly’, was the opinion of one of the visitors; their response to the parliament’s opening was, on the whole, positive.

The youngest visitor of the National Assembly was the eight-month-old Andjela.

We would like to invite members of the public to visit the National Assembly on Saturday 31 July.

Applications may be made by dialling 3611-476.