Radonjić: Police Serve as SNS Security if Things Go Wrong

Saturday’s SNS rally in Užice offered a stark picture of political control, according to Radar journalist Milan Radonjić. Speaking to N1, he described violence against citizens and said police appeared to function as security for the ruling Serbian Progressive Party if events turned hostile.

Citizens and activists had gathered in the town square before the rally, but clashes broke out between the two sides. Some citizens were beaten by SNS stewards. Petar Holik of the Bravo association said, "The police began pushing people back, even though no one was rushing at the cordon."

Radonjić said SNS rallies are tightly controlled events where dissenting voices have no room. He argued that elections which have not yet been called already show signs of failing to meet democratic standards. For more than a decade, he said, the final decision on who wins has not effectively rested with the election commission, but with one party, SNS.

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The police began pushing people back, even though no one was rushing at the cordon.

He also accused the authorities of avoiding media outlets that are not under their absolute control and of trying to destroy the opposition. "Media dominance is one of the most important things for this government," he said, describing Serbia’s political field as closed and monopolized. The eventual election result, he added, would depend on how willing citizens are to defend their electoral choice.

Radonjić questioned SNS claims that it commands a huge voter base, saying the party cannot gather 35,000 people for a rally. He said people considered reliable supporters face direct monitoring, including scrutiny of their social-media posts and warnings. Police officers who are not obedient also face pressure, he said, warning that the force’s damaged reputation and its use as the government’s bodyguard would further erode public trust.

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Media dominance is one of the most important things for this government.