The First Legislative Assembly in the Principality of Serbia and the laws related to the governing bodies in 1870

Abstract

The National Assembly of Serbia which was convened in Kragujevac in 1870 was of the great importance to the development of the parliamentary system in Serbia. For the first time in the legal history of Serbia as a state, the Assembly transformed from advisory to legislative body of the government. Despite not having the right to introduce any legislative initiatives, the Assembly passed the first laws which were passed by the national representatives elected to this body. This meant that parliamentary life in Serbia begun. Passing the set of laws in 1870, the regency additionally developed constitutional matters and in great measure filled a void made by the Constitution of 1869 which foresaw that those voids should be elaborated and supplemented by special laws. Voids in the Constitution and collapse of the regency were the main reasons for holding the first legislative Assembly session in Kragujevac in 1870. The laws relating to the governing bodies which were enacted at the Assembly in 1870, contributed to intensifying the political life in Serbia and it was emphasised some time later. Regular holding of the assembly elections had an impact on connecting political followers with their political leaders since the political prime candidates during the elections strived to make as firm and durable as possible relations with their voters. These laws confirmed that the Principality of Serbia renounced the Turkish Constitution of 1838 and that the regency came into force.