There is a hidden agenda behind the announcement of a snap election in Serbia, political and marketing affairs expert Cvijetin Milivojevic stated, adding that this news is made public for some different goals.
Speaking for Fonet news agency, Milivojevic said the recent talks with European Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn proved that Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic “got some more time” to be cooperative in terms of Kosovo. According to him, the European Union and most probably the OSCE too would turn a blind eye to the lack of the freedom of speech, and the lack of the freedom in general, in order for Vucic to be “hyper-constructive and hyper-cooperative about Kosovo.”
“I think that in the end the Chapter 23, which refers to the judiciary and fundamental rights – which means the human rights and the press freedom as well, will be a bigger problem than Kosovo,” Milivojevic noted.
Some Serbian media outlets have been dealing lately with treats which were condemned by international organizations promoting media freedom and protection of journalists. The latest threats and pressure were addressed to TV N1, which prompted its management to send a note to more than 130 international organizations, media associations and EU institutions, calling them to protect N1 from the campaign led by high-ranking government and ruling coalition officials.
Meanwhile, the EU-mediated talks between Belgrade and Pristina on normalization of relations have been put on hold after Pristina authorities introduced late last year the import tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite the calls of the EU and USA to lift them Pristina keeps the tariffs in place to date.
According to Milivojevic, “it seems like the authorities are more ready to give up on Kosovo with a consolation prize than to seriously approach the 23rd chapter.” He agreed with assessments that calling the snap election in Serbia also depends on “Pristina’s decision to lift the taxes,” or more precisely “from the decision of Washington, which determines Pristina’s policy.”
