POLITICS-YUGOSLAVIA: Serbian Politics Veers Towards The Right

By Vesna Peric Zimonjic Reprint | | Print |

Vesna Peric Zimonjic

BELGRADE, Nov 13 2002 (IPS) - Most Serbians agree that the fall of former leader Slobodan Milosevic two years ago was a positive development for the stricken country however analysts say the hasty and drastic reforms that ensued hurt many Serbs and have resulted in an increase in anti-West and far right sentiments.

They say that during the past two years the new authorities have adopted a market economy that has come at an extremely high cost for many Serbs. Hundreds of factories have been closed, dozens have been sold to foreign companies. Although the wages for those who work have risen 300 percent since 2000, many Serbs are disappointed with the poor living standards and mass layoffs.

”The reforms have been hurting and harming the ordinary people for a while now. The rise of rightist, ultraconservative, xenophobic and anti-Western feelings comes as a result,"says Vladimir Ilic, Sociology Professor at Belgrade University. He says the shift to the political right was the most obvious outcomes of the failed elections for the President of Serbia which took place on September 29.

The leader of the ultranationalist and far right Serbian Radical Party (SRS) Vojislav Seselj ranked third in the race, with 850,000 votes. He obtained only 150,000 votes less than the second ranked candidate Miroljub Labus.

Labus and the first ranking candidate Vojislav Kostunica entered the second round of presidential elections on October 13 which, according to analysts, failed due to the small voter turnout.

Now Serbia, the bigger sister of Montenegro in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), faces a re-run of presidential elections on December 8.

Democracy oriented politicians and analysts say that Seselj will enter the race this time too and warn that Serbia should stay away from the extreme right course this politician is promoting.

"It is of utmost importance that a democratic politician be chosen for president of Serbia," says Dragoljub Micunovic, parliamentary speaker and leader of the small Democratic Centre Party. ”Otherwise, Serbia will send a dark message to Europe and all the democratic efforts will be in vain.”

Analysts disagree on whether the rise of the right among Serbs comes as a consequence of the Milosevic-era isolation of the country or of the failure of the new authorities to explain the advantages of re-integration into the international community.

”Milosevic tolerated the right as long as it did not threaten him. In the 90s, he led the country to wars, isolation and poverty, but only wanted to remain in power. After he fell from power, many people think that Serbia is becoming too open to the West. New leaders barely explain why that is necessary," Vladimir Ilic says

Many also fear for their tradition and say that it has been endangered by the influence of the West. The Serbian Orthodox Church was regarded as the keeper of national identity during the 500 hundred years of Turkish occupation in the country that ended in 19th century.

Dozens of so-called "traditional Serb" organisations have flourished now, calling for the return to the religion, conservative family and national values promoted by the church. They have almost zero tolerance for other religions and nations.The electronic era has eased their existence, as they took to creating more than 200 web sites that promote their ideas.

The leading organisation is named "Obraz" or "Cheek". In Serbian language, "having a cheek" means being an honorable person. It’s insignia are archaic, with the ancient symbols of medieval Serbian kingdom and flags that can be found only in old history books. "Obraz" and its activists dispersed the first gay parade in Belgrade last year and established firm relations with skinhead movements who intimidate Romas or Jew from time to time in Serbia. In their view, Serbia can be only the place for Serbs.

The Secretary general of "Obraz", Mladen Obradovic, confirms that his organisation, with some 30,000 registered members, has the aim of "returning Serbia to its original roots". "Serbia is loosing its identity and its soul to the West" Obradovic says.

A group of Serbian intellectuals recently launched an appeal to the public, calling for an action that would stop the rise of the far right in the country. Leading human rights organisations have also demanded prosecution against movements that incite racial and religious hatred.

So far, the authorities have done nothing in that direction. Serbia is heading towards the re-run of the presidential elections and Vojislav Seselj was the first to announce his candidacy. (ENDS/IPS/EU/IP/VPZ/SM/02)

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POLITICS-YUGOSLAVIA: Serbian Politics Veers Towards The Right

By Vesna Peric Zimonjic Reprint | | Print |

Vesna Peric Zimonjic

BELGRADE, Nov 13 2002 (IPS) - Most Serbians agree that the fall of former leader Slobodan Milosevic two years ago was a positive development for the stricken country however analysts say the hasty and drastic reforms that ensued hurt many Serbs and have resulted in an increase in anti-West and far right sentiments.
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