Zrenjanin Opposition: Vučić's 'Comedy' in Orlovat – How City Employees Were Mobilized

The opposition in Zrenjanin has sharply criticized President Aleksandar Vučić's visit to Orlovat, labeling it a 'comedy' and accusing his administration of misusing public resources. According to a statement from the Democratic Party, the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina, the People's Movement of Serbia, Srbija Centar, and the Free Citizens Movement, hundreds of employees from the Zrenjanin City Administration and public enterprises were allegedly transported in official vehicles during working hours to attend the inauguration of a small bridge. The opposition argues that these employees, paid by citizens, were forced to act as Vučić's audience and applauders instead of performing their official duties. This incident, they contend, exemplifies how the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and its allies 'trample the entire system.' While the article focuses on the opposition's accusations, the underlying message from Zrenjanin's critics is one of deep frustration. They point to the city's decaying infrastructure and non-functioning services, contrasting it with the perceived political theater orchestrated by the president. The opposition's statement, carried by N1, suggests that such events, funded by taxpayers, are a common tactic to bolster the image of the ruling party, even as local issues remain unaddressed. This narrative highlights a common point of contention in Serbian politics: the alleged politicization of state institutions and the use of public funds for political gain, a perspective often viewed differently by state-aligned media.

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Instead of doing the job for which citizens pay them, they were brought to be Vučić's audience and applauders.