Serbian minister faces calls for dismissal over 'ethnic cleansing' remark

Serbian Minister for State and Local Self-Government, Snežana Paunović, has ignited a firestorm with her statement that she would have "ethnically cleansed Kosovo" if she had been in Slobodan Milošević's position in 1998. The remark, made during an interview with pro-government television TV Kurir, has led to a barrage of criticism and demands for her resignation from opposition parties and student organizations.

“

I would have ethnically cleansed Kosovo if I had been in Slobodan Milošević's place.

Following the circulation of the interview clip on social media, Paunović faced immediate backlash. Responding to the calls for her dismissal, she stated that she does not renounce the Socialist Party of Serbia's (SPS) policies and maintains her right to analyze past events. However, Ivica Dačić, the head of the SPS and Minister of Internal Affairs, defended Paunović, labeling the attacks against her as "shameful and hypocritical." He argued that those accusing her of inciting ethnic cleansing remain silent about the ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Kosovo.

“

I do not renounce the policies of the SPS, nor the right to analyze what could have been different.

The statement drew sharp reactions from various political factions. An Albanian party representative announced plans to initiate impeachment proceedings in parliament, emphasizing Serbia's obligations as an EU candidate country to respect minority rights. The Green-Left Front condemned the remark as a "direct threat to the security of Serbs living in Kosovo today" and a product of the "dangerous and criminal policy" pursued by Paunović's party in the 1990s, which led to international isolation and societal ruin.

“

Their attacks on Paunović are shameful and hypocritical, because those who accuse her of allegedly inciting ethnic cleansing are simultaneously silent for years about the ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Kosovo.

The Democratic Party suggested the statement was a "deliberate provocation on Vučić's orders" intended to shift public debate. A student movement leading ongoing anti-government protests also denounced the remark as "unacceptable and completely contrary to the constitution, human rights, and the dignity of every person." They expressed particular concern that such a statement came from a minister responsible for state administration, a portfolio that should uphold equality and the rule of law for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity.

“

As a candidate country for membership in the European Union, Serbia has an obligation to respect and protect the rights of minority communities. Such statements are directly contrary to those obligations.