ZLF: Belgrade allocates millions to SNS private army, but lacks funds for Pharmacy workers' salaries

The Green-Left Front (ZLF) coalition has sharply criticized the Belgrade city government, alleging that it plans to allocate 70 million euros annually to fund a "private SNS paramilitary force." This accusation comes amid reports that workers at Belgrade Pharmacy have not received their salaries for 15 months and are awaiting resolution from the city authorities.

According to ZLF, the main agenda item for an upcoming City Assembly session is the proposed "Integrated Security System." This project, described as a public-private partnership, would reportedly involve private companies managing surveillance and control of citizens for the next ten years. ZLF claims the private partner would select, hire, and organize approximately 2,200 individuals to conduct "patrols" in schools, kindergartens, and other public facilities.

The party further stated that this proposal follows a decision in early July by the ruling SNS-SPS majority, which allowed private security personnel to carry automatic weapons. ZLF argues that instead of state institutions guaranteeing citizen safety, the city government is channeling public funds to private firms, granting them authority and oversight capabilities without adequate institutional control.

ZLF characterized the city government's move as an attempt to "legalize a private paramilitary force through the back door" under the guise of enhancing security, funded by taxpayer money. "Mayor Aleksandar Šapić's message is clear: there is money in the city treasury for those who will surveil and beat citizens, but not for the 15 months of salaries for workers who provide citizens with medicine," the ZLF statement read.

The proposed "Integrated Security System" is valued at 81 billion dinars (approximately 690 million euros) over 10 years. The project includes building 50 municipal security stations, installing video monitoring systems with intelligent analytics, reconstructing the public alert system, and acquiring 50 equipped patrol vehicles. While the capital investment is estimated at 12.23 billion dinars (around 104 million euros), the average annual operating costs are projected at 6.6 billion dinars. ZLF questions why the city is prioritizing such a large expenditure on private security when essential public services and employee wages are reportedly neglected.

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Mayor Aleksandar Šapić's message is clear: there is money in the city treasury for those who will surveil and beat citizens, but not for the 15 months of salaries for workers who provide citizens with medicine.