It will be particularly interesting to watch the opposition play the game of “red flag” in front of an incensed ruling bloc that’s largely unaccustomed to tones of a different discussion, especially one with arguments. But we shouldn’t expect more than that, with plenty of insolent outbursts, bad behaviour, choirs and parroting of insults, and other cunning stunts.
The entry of the opposition – regardless of its quality, number and programming directions – is a good thing, both for improving parliamentary life and strengthening democratic processes in Serbia. This means that a shift in public opinion will come and certain changes will occur on the political scene, though we shouldn’t expect overly good results, given the character of the regime, the ruling party and its political satellites. We will also hear some other and different voices, with some new personalities having appeared – a small shift, but a shift nonetheless.
Parliamentary broadcasts long ago lost their purpose – to inform the public and as a kind of education teaching citizens about the nature of political processes, particularly for their possible civic engagement. These broadcasts have long caused serious confusion in the minds of even the most well-intentioned, as well as the most leisurely viewers who follow them. They serve more to make the average voter feel disgusted by democracy than to strengthen democratic standards. However, despite being small in number, the opposition will utilise this minimal chance to impose itself with certain proposals and certain issues. It will be particularly interesting to watch the opposition play the game of “red flag” in front of an incensed ruling bloc that’s largely unaccustomed to tones of a different discussion, especially one with arguments. But we shouldn’t expect more than that, with plenty of insolent outbursts, bad behaviour, choirs and parroting of insults, and other cunning stunts. The regime isn’t a champion of democracy, having not even been established in that way, so we shouldn’t expect reason, oratorical heights in performances, reasoned arguments, a constructive couch and the respecting of opposite views – that’s something we’ll still have to wait for in Serbia.
The opposition isn’t an unambiguous category in Serbia. That’s why each of these, let’s call them unidentified political objects, will destroy themselves with their own political public appearance, and will thus prove easier prey for the government majority
Personal solutions mean little in Serbian politics, or rather decisions have not been made in the Serbian National Assembly, without exception, since the introduction of the multiparty system! As such, the National Assembly is just a toy, admittedly a pretty expensive one, that’s the plaything of various “leaders” who are powerless to take over the role of sovereign power, the real highest representative and legislative body.
The opposition isn’t an unambiguous category in Serbia. We would have to mention the opposition, because some groups are much closer to the government than other opposition options, while others are against the government only at a personal level and there’s a third group that don’t even know what they want… Testifying to this is the scramble for deputy speaker posts and other positions in the bodies of the Assembly. That’s why each of these, let’s call them unidentified political objects, will destroy themselves with their own political public appearance, and will thus prove easier prey for the government majority, which will more easily eliminate them from political and public life if they are already so broken. Our parties haven’t learnt anything during the more than 30 years of multipartyism – the same behaviour, the same mistakes, the same belief that SOMEONE else will do the work instead of them. Naïve? Perhaps… Accidental? No way!
