Serbian tabloids lash out at opposition leader's interview with Croatian media

An interview given by Pavle Grbović, president of Serbia's Free Citizens Movement (PSG), to the Croatian newspaper Večernji list has ignited a firestorm in pro-government Serbian tabloids. Outlets such as B92, Alo!, Informer, and Pink have accused Croatian media of providing a platform for opposition figures and those they label as "destroyers of the government" in Belgrade.

The interview, published in Večernji list's supplement Obzor, saw Grbović discuss the political climate in Serbia, including student protests and the public's relationship with state institutions. He stated that citizens increasingly fear the police more than criminals and suggested that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić might not sleep soundly even without protests, implying deep-seated issues within the state.

“

If I were in the place of President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, I would not sleep peacefully even if there were no protests.

Serbian tabloids framed the interview as evidence of a coordinated effort by Croatian media to undermine the Serbian government. B92 ran a headline claiming protesters were aligning with "haters of Serbia" to become "stars in Croatia." Alo! echoed this sentiment, suggesting that opposition representatives and students are increasingly using Croatian media to convey their political messages.

“

Citizens are increasingly afraid of the police more than criminals.

Informer took a particularly aggressive stance, with a headline stating Grbović went to Croatia to "threaten Vučić." Pink also published a piece alleging that Croatian media have "given space" to protesters who "want to be stars in Croatia." These outlets further alleged that Serbian opposition figures are using Croatian media to destabilize the country, with Croatian media outlets "almost by rule" providing space to those who "most fiercely attack the government in Belgrade."

Grbović, in his conversation with Večernji list journalist Hrvoje Zovko, also criticized the system established by Vučić, stating it had reached its limits. He argued that the country should pursue full EU membership rather than becoming a "Chinese province or an American federal state." He also called for the creation of a strong pro-European political bloc to guide Serbia's integration process.

“

The system that Aleksandar Vučić has established has reached its limits.