HRH Crown Prince Alexander II Karadjordjevic on Constitutional Monarchy in the TV show “Pro and Contra”

RTS 1 (SERBIAN STATE TV) 81% FAVOUR CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY

Belgrade, 28 February 2003 – HRH Crown Prince Alexander II gave the statement on the subject of Constitutional Monarchy for the TV show “Pro and Contra”, broadcasted last night on the First Channel of the Radio Television of Serbia.

The guests at the show “Pro and Contra” on Constitutional Monarchy were the member of the Crown Council Prof. Dr. Slobodan Vitanovic, the president of the political Council of Christian Democratic Party Mr. Milan St. Protic and the president of regional Committee for Vojvodina of the Democratic Party and the president of Legislative Committee of Serbian Parliament Mr. Bojan Pajtic.

The main topics of the show were: should the citizens of Serbia be asked what form of state they want – republic or monarchy? Would a modern monarchy like Britain or Spain be a solution for Serbia? Would the story of monarchy and the appearance of the King as the new political factor be in the function of general stability, eliminating political bickering and fighting for the position of the President of Republic?

Crown Prince Alexander stated his view on Constitutional Monarchy:

“Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy is a modern democratic form of government. For example the following European countries are constitutional monarchies and great democracies: Spain, Norway, Holland, Sweden, Great Britain, Belgium, Denmark and Luxemburg. And for example Constitutional Monarchies across the world are: Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and more.

How does it work? In a Constitutional Monarchy the monarch is the head of state, but the powers of the constitutional monarch are limited by the Constitution. The Prime Minister is the head of the government. The Constitution is a set of basic principles, laws and rules that explain the powers and duties of the government and the rights and freedoms of the citizens.

In a Constitutional Monarchy the citizens elect in free and fair elections the Members of Parliament and Upper House to represent them in governing the country.

The main function of Parliament is to legislate, that is to make laws for the country. In addition, Parliament controls the executive branch of the government, for example the Prime Minister and Cabinet. This control of the executive by the legislature is what is meant by responsible government. The Prime Minister is the head of government and he or she sits in the parliament. After a general parliamentary election the leader of the political party which holds at least a plurality and normally a majority of seats in the parliament becomes the Prime Minister.

Once again please note that The Prime Minister is elected by the people in free and fair elections like all other members of parliament and they also represent the people from their constituency. The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party which has the majority of the seats in the parliament and thereby which controls the Parliament. The Prime Minister appoints his or her ministers as well as their portfolios. The Prime Minister controls the organization of government.

Our country would benefit tremendously from Constitutional Monarchy because the government will rule and get on with the business of ruling without interference from the Head of State. The reason is that the monarch is neutral, not a politician and not a member of any political party.

Constitutional Monarchy provides unity, continuity and stability. We desperately need all these points and we need respect from all nations that constitutional monarchy will provide”.

During the show the viewers had the opportunity to vote for or against Constitutional Monarchy by phone, which resulted in 7,646 votes (81%) for, and 1,771 votes (19%) against.