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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...

Zoran Stojiljković, Ph.D., Professor At The University Of Belgrade Faculty Of Political Sciences

Forced (Half)changes

The post-election political scene, confronted by the certainty that it must impose at least symbolic sanctions on russia, will itself experience changes, and they will come at the level of the ruling party, the opposition and the electorate

The traditional lines of political division in post-communist European societies have changed over the last three decades, and even been overshadowed by EUropeanisation processes. The division between Euro (Atlantic) integrationists and proponents of national populist sovereignty cuts through the fields of the understanding of the nation state, democracy and the rule of law, but also economic and social development models and dilemmas around desirable recipients of subsidies and investments in infrastructure.

Serbia and its policy of manoeuvring between the influences of the EU, U.S., Russia and China is, in this regard, a special example that’s justified by the history and memory of NATO aggression, Russia’s support for Kosovo and investments coming from “brotherly China”. Over the past decade, this mantra has served a hybrid regime that’s formally pro-EU integration to ease the pressure applied on it from the West, over its many democratic shortcomings, by fuelling pro-Eastern sentiment.

The war in Ukraine and its visible consequences – imperial games around the redistribution of power, Russia’s (self) expulsion from Europe, recession in Europe and U.S. political mentorship – represent a situation that’s behind us. The policy of conditionality has almost assumed its ultimate form. Stabilocrats, who have solved little and produced a few problems in the region, have been shoved up against the wall.

The policy of manoeuvring between the influences of the EU, U.S., Russia and China, which Serbia has promoted over the past decade, is now behind us

The post-election political scene, confronted by the certainty that it must impose at least symbolic sanctions on Russia, will itself face three types of changes. President Vučić, as currently the only legal actor, will strive to ease the open external imbalance by reducing internal tensions and expressing a “readiness” for a controlled dialogue with the pro-European opposition, relying on its proverbial weakness and fragmentation. The sharing of responsibilities is becoming the government’s preferred scenario. Within the ruling party and the ruling coalition, those promoting anti-Western policies will be demoted to alternate positions, i.e., to practical invisibility. Sharp reciprocal confrontations in public, however, should not be expected.

The call for dialogue that’s in the national and state interest will practically create an additional division between realists and fundamentalists, particularly among the ranks of the opposition. Among Serbia’s citizenry, following the further rise of existential fears, apathy and political cynicism, we will reach a more noticeable political reclassification and the quest for new political favourites. And this time around they won’t be infinitely trusted.

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...
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