Serbian sociologist and Student List lawmaker Jovo Bakić has outlined plans for sweeping reforms of the country’s police, security services and judicial system, saying the priority would be to sever alleged links between state institutions and organized crime.
In an interview with the Swiss newspaper Südostschweiz, Bakić, who has been mentioned as a possible candidate for Serbia’s next interior minister, said the incoming government would need to address officials who allegedly cooperated with criminal networks and participated in violence against students during protests across the country.
He compared Serbia’s current situation to that of some Latin American countries where drug cartels wield significant influence.
“Serbia today resembles Latin American countries where drug cartels have the final say. Our biggest challenge is to sever every connection between the state apparatus and organized crime. This is a prerequisite, because otherwise all other reforms will have no effect,” Bakić said.
He identified replacing the leadership of the police and security services as one of the first steps. Officials suspected of criminal offenses or involvement in assaults on students would face disciplinary and criminal proceedings, he added.
Bakić also suggested bringing retired police officers back into service, describing them as professionals with integrity who could train younger generations and help restore public confidence in the police.
Proposed reforms to police and intelligence services
On the judicial front, Bakić proposed requiring public officials whose assets are significantly disproportionate to their declared income to explain the source of their wealth.
“We will require officials whose assets are clearly disproportionate to their income to disclose where that wealth came from. Anyone capable of accumulating wealth in this way would be better off doing so in the private sector rather than in public service,” he said.
He proposed similar changes to Serbia’s intelligence services, including the possible adoption of a special law requiring all employees to account for their activities and assets.
Bakić also referred to decrypted messages that he said indicated possible links between officials in the current administration and drug cartels. He specifically mentioned the nickname “Oskar,” which he said evoked President Aleksandar Vučić, and called for prosecutors to investigate.
“I believe there are sufficient grounds for the prosecution, which has so far failed to act, to launch an investigation that would likely bring Oskar and his associates before a court and ultimately lead to prison,” Bakić said.
The allegations have not been established in court.
Asked whether he would accept the position of interior minister, Bakić said he did not yet know whether he would serve as a member of parliament or join the next government. He nevertheless pledged that, if appointed, he would seek to ensure that officials from the previous administration facing credible suspicions of criminal conduct were brought before the justice system.
Bakić rules out recognition of Kosovo but calls for dialogue
On relations between Serbia and Kosovo, Bakić said a new government would not recognize Kosovo’s independence, citing Serbia’s constitutional position. He nevertheless said he would seek to improve relations with Prishtina and described dialogue as the only way forward.
“We cannot and will not recognize Kosovo. According to the Constitution, it is an integral part of our country. But we will try to improve relations with Prishtina as much as possible. The time of wars ended long ago. Dialogue is the only way forward. But it always takes two sides,” he said.
Bakić also called for improved relations with the European Union and neighboring countries, criticizing Vučić’s government for its nationalist rhetoric and what he described as Serbia’s departure from its European perspective.
Political differences within the Student List
Bakić acknowledged that the Student List, under whose banner he was elected to parliament, includes a broad range of political positions, from the left to the right.
He said those differences could make it difficult for the movement to maintain a unified political position beyond a single parliamentary term.
Despite their ideological differences, Bakić argued, the movement’s members are united by the goal of taking Serbia out of what he described as an uncontrolled situation and restoring a system in which the Constitution and laws are respected.
