Sitemap

Nicolas Marquier, Regional Manager for the Western Balkans at the IFC

Financing the Future

IFC, the largest global development institution, has provided almost $1 billion in financing to Serbia’s private sector over the past six years IFC, as a...

Iosif Vangelatos, General Manager, Inos Balkan

Proud of Tripling Trade Volume

Inos Balkan already possessed extensive expertise in the recycling sector, with its collection and processing centres, while it has today transformed itself successfully to...

Aris Karousos, CEO of Eko Serbia

Drivers Know Why They Choose Eko

Two decades ago, when this company launched its operations in Serbia, the desire was for the EKO brand to become synonymous with reliability, quality...

Danilo Đurović, General Manager, Autotechnica Serbia – Hertz

Introducing Flex Drive

As part of the Autohellas Group, which has been the absolute leader of Greece’s automotive sector since 1974, Hertz is more than just a...

Nikos Veropoulos, Owner, Veropoulos

Super Vero, Super Successful

For two decades already, company Veropoulos has been known on our market for its unique offer and high-quality products at promotional prices, but also...

Duško Radosavljević Ph.D., Political Scientist

Hard Work Stands Behind Election Victories

The election results in Budapest, Zagreb, North Macedonia and Montenegro are not unambiguous, nor are they all objectively progressive. Positive examples tell us that these election victories came after great organisational work and partnerships between traditional parties, civil society, media outlets, independent intellectuals and groups, as well as citizens gathered spontaneously.

Influences and ideas in the region of the former Yugoslavia certainly spill over the borders of our political creations, regardless of the will of holders of political power to ensure that the situation is not too stimulating for cooperation, especially among certain opposition groups with civic characteristics. When it comes to certain shifts, we see them as the fruit of many years of dedicated work to change the regime (North Macedonia), as the building of networks of trust through cooperation with many opposition actors, but also with civil society organisations (Budapest, Zagreb), and the establishing of a regressive political concept with the significant participation of the church (Montenegro).

So, these events are not unambiguous, nor are they all objectively progressive. This inevitably prompts the question: which of these could be applicable in Serbia?

In the long run, this could certainly be the case for the experiences of Budapest, Zagreb and North Macedonia! The experience of Montenegro, on the other hand, should be studied carefully, as a warning against allowing the church to arbitrate in matters of “this world”, which can be extremely dangerous.

The experience of Montenegro should be studied carefully, as a warning against allowing the church to arbitrate in matters of “this world”, which can be extremely dangerous.

What are we told by the positive experiences? This is great organisational work, which takes quite a long time to realise and requires the significant engagement of activists and partnerships between traditional parties, civil society, media outlets, independent intellectuals and groups, as well as citizens gathered spontaneously, meaning that it requires a respectable consensus on intentions, goals etc. So, painstaking and, figuratively speaking, “bloody” work, which awakens a considerable sense of caution in us, and even disbelief that this would be feasible here… However, one must still try, because good examples exist, in the vicinity, and one only needs to roll up the sleeves and get to work.

When it comes to the notion that a new leftist party could emerge in Serbia, that is possible, in so much as miracles are generally possible, but is highly unlikely! That’s because, over the course of thirty years, almost everything in Serbia has been politically concentrated in the centre and towards the far right. Quite simply, in order to form a leftist party, apart from a programme, which is easily penned, it must offer an entire array of answers to questions of how to rein in the provincial performance of the neoliberal concept of the economy, with all corrupt and other elements. It must then create policies on education, social and health security, a policy for the return of children to Serbia, breaking with the harmful national policy etc., etc. So, the left would have to work much harder if it wanted to really change Serbia. To beat the drum on national chests, while at the same time plundering the citizenry, is a policy that pays off for individuals, but it leaves behind a scorched earth, a destroyed society and a ruined state. Preventing that is the first task for the left.

Comment

Census Results Cause Concern

The Ministry of Education claims to be exerting ongoing efforts to reform education, but census results indicate the need for more work. The “Platform...

By Iva Draškić Vićanović Ph.D., Dean of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology

Restore Teachers’ Dignity

The proposals presented in our Platform are viable over the short term, require no large and lasting reforms and could lead to major visible...

Comment by Prof. dr Slobodan Zečević

The Mirage of the European Oasis

Serbia officially began EU accession negotiations in January 2014. Over the subsequent decade, 22 of the 35 accession negotiation chapters have been opened and...

Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia

Easier Access to the Western Balkans’ Single Market

The EU aims to involve Western Balkans partners with its Member States on equal terms, fostering a reform partnership that’s oriented towards the future...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Serbia Advances in Renewable Energy with Pupin Wind Park Financing

In a significant stride towards renewable energy adoption, Serbia has finalized the financial arrangements for the Pupin Wind Park,...

Đedović Handanović: Nuclear Energy in Serbia by 2039 at the Earliest

Nuclear energy in Serbia could become a reality by 2039 at the earliest, should work on the project commence...

Belgrade’s Hotel Jugoslavija Sold, Sparks Redevelopment Controversy

Belgrade's iconic Hotel Jugoslavija, located in Serbia's capital, has been sold for approximately €27 million to MV Investment, affiliated...

Bosnia and Herzegovina Kickstarts EU Membership Talks

Bosnia and Herzegovina has initiated accession negotiations with the European Union, a development hailed as a pivotal advancement for...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Belgrade University Partners with CERN on Future Circular Collider Project

The University of Belgrade has officially become part of CERN's largest scientific endeavor, the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project,...

Kushner Eyes Balkan Luxury Developments in Serbia and Albania

Jared Kushner, closely related to former U.S. President Donald Trump as his son-in-law, is turning his attention to the...

European Parliament Passes Groundbreaking AI Law

The European Parliament has adopted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, aiming to safeguard fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of...

European Parliament Members Endorse Western Balkan Reform and Growth Instrument

Members of the European Parliament's committees on foreign affairs and budget have officially adopted a stance on the Western...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Belgrade University Partners with CERN on Future Circular Collider Project

The University of Belgrade has officially become part of CERN's largest scientific endeavor, the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project,...

Kushner Eyes Balkan Luxury Developments in Serbia and Albania

Jared Kushner, closely related to former U.S. President Donald Trump as his son-in-law, is turning his attention to the...

European Parliament Passes Groundbreaking AI Law

The European Parliament has adopted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, aiming to safeguard fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of...

European Parliament Members Endorse Western Balkan Reform and Growth Instrument

Members of the European Parliament's committees on foreign affairs and budget have officially adopted a stance on the Western...
spot_img