Serbian President Rejects State Property Sell-Off Law

Nikolic's office said on Thursday that he refused to sign the law and sent it back to parliament because he believes it doesn't comply with the constitution as it says that only sitting tenants can buy state-owned real estate.

The constitution says however that "all citizens have an equal position on the market", Nikolic's office noted.

The new law, adopted by parliament on July 31, envisages the sale of state-owned apartments, residential buildings, business premises and commercial buildings.

Presenting the law in parliament, Finance Minister Dusan Vujovic said that it would ensure that real estate such as offices and apartments, which have already been leased and are not necessary for the functioning of the state, are sold.

The Network for Restitution in Serbia, a Belgrade-based NGO, welcomed Nikolic's decision, saying that the law was potentially corrupt since only privileged people can buy state-owned property.

"Nikolic has temporarily prevented the law, which was created in a completely non-transparent manner, enabling to a group of the privileged people to become the owners of valuable property," the NGO said.

Dragoslav Sumarac, a member of the leadership of the opposition Democratic Party, said that the law was "bad and unprofessional" and that it represents a "robbery" becuse only privileged people can buy such properties.

"The buildings which are going to be sold are mainly villas, flats, offices? We know that the buildings are in the best locations, and their tenants are the richest people in Serbia," Sumarac told reporters on July 31.

"They have the exclusive right to buy this property. All other citizens of Serbia are unequal and they cannot compete if they did not sign a lease contract before January 1,...