The student protests in Serbia continue unabated. In reaction to dismal poll ratings, President Aleksandar Vučić has now suggested that the opposition request a non-binding referendum on his presidency – despite the fact that the country’s constitution does not provide for this. The media see the move as an act of desperation.
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The movement won’t be fobbed off like this
Vučić’s tactic of making concessions will fail, Index believes:
“Those in power have no adequate answer that would fulfil the expectations of the new generation of graduates. … The offer of a referendum on trust in Aleksandar Vučić is the height of political perversion, a display of boundless desperation on the part of a government trying to extinguish a fire with petrol. All its supposed concessions such as the fulfilment of demands, apartments for young people and free public transport in Belgrade, together with this referendum, are deeply corrupt in character. Because they use the very mechanisms of usurpation and bribery that students and free citizens have just risen up against.”
This government is finished
The referendum can no longer save Vučić, says Vreme:
“For years, critics of the government could say what they wanted, take to the streets in any numbers they wanted – but it didn’t affect the government and its business, although it might have annoyed them. Now it’s the other way round: Vučić and his people can say whatever they want, offer referendums, sell flats in the [allegedly planned] ‘Trump Tower’ in Belgrade – the protesters don’t care because the fear has disappeared. People are rejecting obedience, which means the government’s legitimacy is doomed. … The question is simply whether the spark will grow into a general strike immediately or a little later, and whether the government will realise that it’s finished.”
Not a long-term solution
Even if the referendum goes Vučić’s way it will not prevent further protests, writes Ukrajinska Pravda:
“The confidence referendum could strengthen the position of the Serbian government in its confrontation with the protesters if the result is favourable for Aleksandar Vučić. However it’s unlikely that this effect will last. The fact that the Serbian authorities have resorted to extreme measures indicates that Vučić has lost control of the situation and does not know how to contain the wave of protests. In addition, any little thing could trigger new protests because a large section of society feels that the situation in the country is developing in the wrong direction.”