Serbia’s Democratic Party (DS) has accused President Aleksandar Vučić of attempting to intimidate citizens and conceal what it described as his growing political weakness by reactivating the country’s national body for combating terrorism.
In a statement on Tuesday, the opposition party said the move, along with Vučić’s recent threat to alter the course of the Ibar River, was intended to project strength but instead demonstrated what it called the president’s loss of control over political developments.
“Both moves are supposed to show strength, but reveal only the anger of a man who no longer controls events,” the Democratic Party said.
The party also accused Vučić of wanting Serbian citizens to fear him in the same way people in Belarus fear President Alexander Lukashenko.
“Serbia is not Belarus, and its citizens are not Vučić’s subjects,” the DS said, adding that threats that once generated fear now provoke ridicule, including among some former supporters of the president.
The Serbian government announced on Monday the establishment of the National Coordinating Body for the Prevention of and Fight Against Terrorism.
Veljko Odalović of the Interior Ministry was appointed national coordinator, while Marko Kričak, also from the Interior Ministry, was named his deputy. Nenad Bogosavljević of the Interior Ministry and Bojan Dimić of the Security Intelligence Agency were appointed assistant coordinators.
According to Serbian media reports, the body is intended to coordinate national efforts to prevent and combat terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism that could lead to terrorism.
However, critics have questioned the timing and purpose of the move. Sources cited by Danas warned that the body could potentially be used to target political opponents rather than solely address genuine security threats.
The Democratic Party’s criticism comes amid growing political tensions in Serbia, with the government facing increasing scrutiny over its handling of domestic opposition and political dissent.
The opposition has also linked the reactivation of the anti-terrorism body to Vučić’s recent statements about potentially changing the course of the Ibar River, arguing that both initiatives are designed to create an image of decisive action at a time when the president is facing mounting political pressure.
