Journalist: Serbia's Regime Seeks Incidents to Justify Repression

Serbian journalist Đorđe Vlajić has sharply criticized the current government's rhetoric, suggesting it is deliberately inflaming tensions to create a pretext for repressive actions against citizens and students who are protesting. Vlajić believes President Aleksandar Vučić's public statements, particularly those made around Victory Day and Europe Day, are not only inappropriate for a head of state but also indicative of a broader strategy to intimidate opposition and potentially launch an election campaign.

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Mogao bi se čovek zapitati šta je šef države tražio po Srbiji putujući po Sremu, čini mi se. Na tako značajan dan. U redu je da je organizovana neka državna proslava i državno obeležavanje Dana pobede nad fašizmom ili Dana Evrope, kako god, ali nije dobro da se sada pravi paradogađaj. Pojavljuje se šef države i izgovara neke stvari koje su za one koji ne pripadaju toj funkciji

Vlajić specifically pointed to Vučić's remarks about individuals allegedly begging not to be thrown into the Danube and attempting to remove a flag, calling the language "hooliganistic." He argues that such aggressive rhetoric, coming from the highest state office, emboldens those who engage in violence and provides a shield for them, even if they are apprehended by law enforcement. The journalist posits that the regime is actively seeking a significant incident that would justify implementing severe measures against dissent.

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huliganski rečnik preselio se na vrlo visoku državnu funkciju

From the perspective of independent media in Serbia, like N1, Vlajić's analysis reflects a deep concern over the erosion of democratic space and the use of state power to suppress criticism. The framing of protesters as "prey" for those acting under the cover of masks, as Vlajić described, paints a grim picture of the political climate. He emphasizes that the protesting side has so far wisely avoided escalating to violence, thus denying the regime the justification it seeks for drastic actions. This narrative highlights a struggle for basic freedoms and the manipulation of public discourse by those in power.

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Došla dvojica juče, pa su molila da ih ne bace u Dunav. Hteli da skinu zastavu 'Srbija pobeđuje' na Žeželjevom mostu u Novom Sadu. Bukvalno - 'Samo da ne završimo u Dunavu'. Srećom nisu