Can protests change the Serbian government? - World Questions podcast, BBC World Service

Key Concepts

• Student-led protests: Demonstrations in Serbia against government corruption and lack of democracy.
• Government corruption: Accusations against the Serbian government of engaging in corrupt practices.
• Democratic backsliding: Concerns that Serbia is moving away from democratic principles.
• Snap elections: Protesters' demand for immediate elections.
• EU membership: Serbia's aspiration to join the European Union.
• Relations with Russia: Serbia's continued strong ties with Russia.
• Rigged elections: Allegations that Serbian elections are manipulated.
• Kosovo: The disputed territory, which most of the EU countries recognize as an independent state, but which Belgrade still considers to be part of Serbia.
• Judicial independence: Concerns about political influence over the judiciary.

Protests and Political Climate

• Student-led protests are taking place due to corruption and a perceived lack of democracy.
• Protesters demand justice, accountability and a radically different society.
• The government is accused of rigging elections. A European Parliament resolution and a European Commission report confirmed the rigged elections.
• The protests have spread to cities and towns across Serbia.
• People are afraid to use their full names, because of the risks associated with participating in demonstrations, including arrests and beatings. University professors risk losing their jobs and are exposed as traitors.
• A question from a student highlights concerns about monopolized media space and falsified elections, as well as reliance on President Vucic by Western political elites.
• The student mentions that one million people have left Serbia in the last 20 years, with over 90% migrating to Western democracies, reflecting a desire for a well-ordered society.
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs insists that Serbia is much better than it was during the Milosevic regime. Opinion polls show that the main ruling party is polling at slightly below 50% of the votes.
• The size of GDP has more than doubled in the past ten years.
• The student respondent emphasizes massive propaganda and a lack of facing war crimes from the 90s committed by Milosevic.

Judiciary System

• Anna raises concerns about the judicial system, describing it as corrupt and slow, specifically referencing her experience fighting for custody over her children.
• NGO Freedom House says the judiciary is compromised by political influences over judicial appointments.
• Many judges complain about being subject to external pressure.
• A panelist states that the judiciary is not independent.
• There is violence, no free media, and no free elections.
• The government adopted a law specifically targeting violence in families, and this law has already prevented thousands of cases of violence, femicides and other criminal offenses related to family violence.
• Continuous pressure against judiciary by the supporters of the opposition.

EU Membership and Kosovo

• Serbia applied to join the EU in 2009 and was given candidate status in 2012.
• Less than half of Serbian citizens would vote in a referendum to join the EU.
• The EU requires Serbia to normalize relations with Kosovo, which most of the EU countries recognise as an independent state, but which Belgrade still considers to be part of Serbia.
• It is argued that the current government has no intention of Serbia joining the European Union, because that would mean that this regime would have to be fully accountable for the corruption, for the destruction of the rule of law, for the brutality of against peaceful demonstrators.
• Under the government of President Vucic, Serbia has opened the biggest number of chapters and clusters for EU membership.
• A law student asks why Serbia still trying to join the European Union, despite the hostile attitude coming from the Western countries.
• Western countries are hostile to Serbia because of their stance on Kosovo.
• The seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church is in Pec, a Unesco World Heritage Monastery.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The political landscape in Serbia is marked by significant tensions. The student-led protests, fueled by allegations of government corruption, democratic backsliding, and rigged elections, reflect a deep-seated desire for change and a more just society. While the government touts economic progress and adherence to EU membership goals, critics point to a compromised judiciary, restrictions on media freedom, and a lack of genuine commitment to European values. The unresolved issue of Kosovo remains a major obstacle to EU integration, with public opinion divided and Western pressure adding to the complexity.