PARTITOCRACY

It started in Novi Sad and spread to the University of Belgrade, with students from the Fifth Belgrade High School now joining the protest. Citizens are also voicing their opposition to lithium mining and protesting the reconstruction of the old Sava Bridge, arguing that its demolition is a symbol of corruption and lawlessness.
A protest was also held in front of the RTS building, where students, pupils, and citizens highlighted various issues, including corruption and the requirement of party affiliation for employment. In the Perspektiva show, young people continuously raise similar concerns, and not just in Serbia, but beyond. Lazar, Vojislav, and Tadija from Trebinje shared their experiences:

“I was the best student of my generation with a 4.0 GPA, holding all major awards, with a published book, and 10 scientific papers. Do you understand what 10 scientific papers mean? I speak two world languages. Yet, since September, I’ve been unemployed because I publicly express my opinion, and I was explicitly told that.”

https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-u-trebinju/32375801.html

“I have no one to talk to in this town. Why? Because only the worst return, join a political party, and get jobs. And I’m supposed to associate with such people?”

https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-mladi-trebinje-bosna-hercegovina/32346002.html

“When you go for a job interview, they always ask you which school you finished – not what kind of student you were, not what kind of person you are. The most important thing to them is your party affiliation and who your parents are.”

https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-trebinje-posao/32355963.html

Stefanija from Kumanovo agrees with these views, as does Ana from Budva.

“I don’t want to talk about politics because I don’t want to be a part of it, but I know that in our country, you can’t achieve anything unless you’re politically active, or unless your father or mother is in a party. I don’t think that’s going to change.”

https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-kumanovo-mladi-politika-zivot/33214116.html

“Our society is trapped by political parties and their interests. In a small Montenegrin society and community, we know exactly who employs whom, when, and why. Nepotism is rampant.”

https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-mladi-crna-gora-budva/32515413.html

In Perspektiva, Marija and Lazar from Podgorica shared the same sentiments.

“If I, consciously or subconsciously, align myself with a certain party, I am not allowed to express my opinion because it could affect my chances of finding a job later. We are not allowed to speak freely because expressing our views could jeopardize our employment prospects.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQMaupUnJkQ&ab_channel=RadioSlobodnaEvropa

“People who aren’t party members are not even given a chance. For example, I can’t imagine being able to enter any state institution through a competitive process, as it seems everyone is already pre-selected. Young people involved in political parties have an unfair advantage.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrWBYU_F9tU&ab_channel=RadioSlobodnaEvropa

The worst thing, however, is that the partitocracy is forcing young people to leave, as Lazar from Trebinje proves.

“As an intellectual, I will leave this city not because I am bad at my job or because I didn’t study hard enough, but because I am considered unsuitable—and that’s a big difference. I won’t leave out of necessity, as I could work as a bartender for 700 KM, but I spent five hours a day studying. I will leave not because I’m struggling to make a living, but because my dignity is at stake.”

https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-u-trebinju/32375801.html

Students and high school students in Belgrade and other cities in Serbia are calling for change. The regime is slowly offering compromises. But will small compromises be enough?