Authorities Unlikely to Acknowledge Valjevo's Distress, Journalist Claims

Journalist Milan Radonjić expressed skepticism that the authorities will adequately address the public's disbelief, fear, and stress following an incident in Valjevo last August. He contends that Western Serbia has experienced a "descent" of media and direct pressure on citizens, mirroring tactics previously seen in Belgrade. Radonjić believes the events in Valjevo and the involvement of many locals will not be forgotten, anticipating an institutional response in the future, though he holds little faith in the current judicial system.

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It is illusory to expect that the authorities will in any way acknowledge the disbelief, fear, and level of stress that Valjevo experienced.

Radonjić argued that early elections in Serbia should have been called when hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Belgrade. He stated that any "decent" government would have responded by scheduling elections promptly. He also commented on a case where a citizen claimed a job was promised in exchange for votes, characterizing it as an admission of multiple criminal offenses, including influencing voters and the method of securing employment in the country. Radonjić suggested that while such a system might function, its sustainability is limited by the eventual scarcity of promises versus actual job opportunities.

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Elections should have happened when hundreds of thousands came out on the streets.

Addressing President Aleksandar Vučić's intervention to expedite medical treatment for two children, Radonjić described it as the president placing himself in the role of an "omnipotent lord" who intervenes to solve problems. While hoping for the children's well-being, Radonjić prefers a procedural approach where citizens have clear channels to report urgent situations. He believes this method of problem-solving, while seemingly helpful, bypasses established procedures and potentially undermines systemic solutions.

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He places himself in the role of an omnipotent lord who eventually appears and resolves the matter.

Regarding the upcoming elections, Radonjić noted that the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has reached its limit in terms of voter numbers and is experiencing a decline. He described a "behind-the-scenes game" where individuals considered reliable SNS voters are facing various pressures to prevent them from switching their allegiance. This suggests a challenging electoral landscape for the ruling party, facing internal and external pressures to maintain its voter base.

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Public opinion polls show that they have reached the limit of their number of voters and that they cannot increase it and that, on the contrary, it is decreasing.