In a recent television appearance, Zdravko Ponoš, President of the “Srbija Centar” (SRCE) party, delivered a sharp critique of the current Serbian administration, stating that the political landscape has shifted and that President Aleksandar Vučić has lost the strategic initiative.
“Vučić is no longer the one playing with white pieces,” Ponoš stated during an interview on Zrenjanin’s KTV, as reported by the party’s press service. He argued that the regime has entered a “reactive phase,” struggling to maintain the narrative it has dominated for over a decade.
A Climate of Impunity
Ponoš addressed the recent tragedies that have shaken Serbian society, attributing them to a climate fostered by the ruling elite. “We are living in tragic times, and to a large extent, this tragedy is dictated by the government. They have created an environment where tragedies become the norm, and for which no one is held accountable,” he remarked.
He expressed deep concern over the long-term impact of the government’s management style, particularly regarding infrastructure and public projects. Ponoš warned that the “identical level of corruption” seen across various projects over the years suggests that consequences will continue to haunt the country even after the current government leaves power.
The Shift in EU Relations
A significant portion of the interview focused on Serbia’s path toward the European Union. According to Ponoš, Vučić’s long-standing promise of EU integration is losing its potency.
“He successfully sold the story that he was leading Serbia into the EU. The moment people stopped believing that, support for Serbia’s entry into the EU returned,” Ponoš explained. He noted a visible change in rhetoric from Brussels, pointing out that EU officials no longer address the President with the familiar “Dear Aleksandar.”
Ponoš emphasized that a majority in Serbia cannot be formed without a commitment to EU integration, which is why there must be political actors who genuinely represent that idea. “We are currently under the table—servants, thanks to this government. We want to be at the table, deciding our own destiny and influencing the course of the whole, proportional to our power.”
Strategy for Future Elections
Looking ahead to potential electoral cycles, the SRCE leader called for opposition unity and strategic planning. He suggested that if parliamentary and presidential elections were separated, the entire opposition should back a single, joint presidential candidate.
“It would be normal for the strongest option to propose that candidate. Currently, that is the student movement. There is no reason for those of us in the opposition to be suspicious of that,” Ponoš concluded, stressing that in the current political climate, “not a single vote must be lost.”
