Snežana Paunović, Serbia’s Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government, has issued a public apology to President Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister Đuro Macut, and the Serbian Government.
The move comes in the wake of severe public backlash following her controversial comments regarding “the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo.” Paunović claims her words were stripped of context to manufacture a political scandal.
The Apology and the Defense
During a guest appearance on the pro-government Informer TV, Paunović characterized the outrage as “malicious,” pointing out that critics had isolated a mere seven-second clip from an entire broadcast.
- Defending the Administration: She stated that she felt compelled to apologize to state leaders because they were being blamed entirely without cause. “It is uncomfortable to have to explain that this is not the policy of the President, nor of the Government,” she remarked.
- A “Personal Story” rather than Policy: Paunović attempted to reframe her original statement. “That is my story, not an official statement,” she argued, emphasizing her personal background and connection to Kosovo.
Reactions, Internal Rifts, and Political Backlash
The incident has triggered a wave of reactions across Serbia’s political spectrum, even exposing divisions within Paunović’s own party, the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS):
| Group / Individual | Reaction / Stance |
| SPS Leadership & Supporters | Paunović expressed pride in the overwhelming support she received from fellow party members who stood by her. |
| Branko Ružić (SPS Official) | Paunović expressed deep disappointment in her party colleague, arguing that Ružić has no right to comment on the SPS’s policies of the 1990s as he was not a member during that era. |
| Opposition Parties | She dismissed reactions from the Free Citizens Movement (PSG) and the Green-Left Front (ZLF), claiming they were using the slip-up to gain political relevance or fulfill external “assignments.” |
| Kosovo Authorities | Prishtina declared Paunović persona non grata. The minister called this “a paradox,” noting she has already been restricted from entering Kosovo for the past four years. |
