If opposition leaders don’t agree to help Vučić navigate his way across to the other side of the political shore, they will betray their own programme, but if they do agree, they’ll find themselves declared traitors by their own voters
Serbia has rightly been forced into a corner – figuratively speaking, it has painted itself into a corner and now has nowhere to go, except to spoil that which was done wrongly. Specifically, since the multiparty system was introduced to Serbia, numerous political options have taken political positions as an alibi: for manipulation of the unresolved Kosovo issue; an impetuous and arrogant attitude towards neighbours, particularly former Yugoslav republics; an unwillingness to enable, and active prevention of, the decentralisation of the state; a propensity for tycoons and neoliberal policies; “hooking on” to regimes that openly violate human rights; showing admiration for Eastern and Far Eastern political partners while disregarding the fact that the state and society’s economic, political and other interests lie in stronger and deeper cooperation with the countries of the EU, the UK, Canada and the U.S. And of course, when it is in the interest of Serbia, in stronger and deeper cooperation with all other countries, such as the BRICS nations and all other principled countries, in which we include the remnants of the once highly reputed Non-Aligned Movement. So, everything is based on interest, appreciation and respect, and not on the basis of servility, so-called “fraternal assistance” and some unspoken and unproven love!
The impetus to change foreign policy priorities must firstly come from the opposition, which is quite difficult given that a significant proportion of the opposition is more prepared to “snatch” a smidgen of power than to strive to change Serbia patiently, tenaciously and methodically
That’s why it’s vital to end such a policy, which is essentially a policy of the mentally impoverished, who explains that something will happen to us, that we will live better, just because someone loves us (“eternal love”), or just because we believe that someone loves us. Of course, this isn’t as much a delusion as it is a scam to win over certain categories of voters in Serbia, and it’s one that’s been manipulated for too long!
The impetus to change foreign policy priorities must firstly come from the opposition, which is quite difficult given that a significant proportion of the opposition is more prepared to “snatch” a smidgen of power than to strive to change Serbia patiently, tenaciously and methodically. In Serbia, twenty grams of power has always been worth more than two kilos of brains, then wait to see who hold on! Whatever the case, it is more realistic for this undertaking, compelled – as noted, to be taken on by the unquestionable master of Serbian political life, who is ready to “disavow” his most loyal voters – most of whom are losers of transition – to stay in power for a little longer. Naturally, as a very shrewd player, he will try to draw certain opposition players into this dance. This tactic, of throwing the ball into the opposition’s court, is also a Serbian political speciality. If they don’t agree to help Vučić navigate his way across to the other side of the political shore, they will betray their own programme, but if they do agree, they’ll find themselves declared traitors by their own voters. Whichever way you turn, something gets left behind. Nothing new and nothing original in the arena of Serbian politics. “Lord, how quickly darkness falls here” (Danilo Kiš).
