Maja Stojanović

Repression and resistance

The consequences for society are already there - institutions are paralyzed, there is no justice, and many do not even see a glimpse of a brighter future in this system. However, paradoxically, this repression also gives birth to a new wave of solidarity and resistance. Despite the arrests, the protest movement does not die down, but adapts: students persist for months in creative forms of resistance, from blocking colleges and streets to performances that win public support. Solidarity among different social groups - students, parents, teachers, lawyers - is getting stronger, because many recognize in the arrests the injustice that is already knocking on their doors.

Maja Stojanović

Government against elections

Violence instead of democracy

So far, every attempt by the regime to suppress the protests by force has only produced the opposite effect - more public anger and the determination of the demonstrators. In such an atmosphere, the only solution that can bring things back into the constitutional framework is elections where citizens would freely express their will and give mandate to those they trust. Now is exactly that moment - huge protests and social crisis unmistakably indicate that the majority will of the people is for change to come at the polls, not on the street. If elections are not called urgently, it is very likely that we will witness a continuation of the dangerous spiral of violence and institutional breakdown

Maja Stojanović

Institutions vs. society

How a captive state turns the police into a weapon

From preventive arrests to the replacement of judges - the regime in Serbia is building a system in which institutions do not protect the law but the interests of political power

Maja Stojanović

Personal attitude

Serbia without a government and without REM

While Serbian citizens take to the streets en masse and students brutally fight each other, the country is left without two key pillars of government - the government and the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM). At the same time, the process of electing new members of REM, the body that should ensure the independence of the media space, completely fell apart due to irregularities and political manipulations that led to the withdrawal of candidates from most of the nomination areas.

Maja Stojanović

At least 1.154 headline manipulations last year.

Personal attitude

The fight for an independent REM

If the opportunity to reform the body that has the power to shape the media space in Serbia is missed now, and if people with integrity are not elected to it, the media scene in Serbia will remain hostage to political influence for years to come.

Maja Stojanović

Personal attitude

Where does the walk of the Immortal Regiment lead?

The pro-government media presented the commemoration of the liberation of Belgrade as a magnificent event dedicated to the preservation of anti-fascist values and the historical memory of the fighters against fascism. A special focus was placed on strengthening traditional ties with Russia, while emphasizing friendly relations between Serbia and Russia, thus presenting the event as an act of patriotic unity. All the more so since Aleksandar Vučić, despite Putin's invitation, will not attend the BRICS summit in Kazan

Maja Stojanović

FERKA

An open letter to the President of Serbia

Maja Stojanović, representative of Civic Initiatives, sent an open letter to the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučuč, regarding the upcoming local elections. We are streaming it in its entirety

Maja Stojanović, Civic Initiatives

In the shadow of democratic principles

Import and export of voters

The first date is the date of the repeated elections in Belgrade, April 28, after the beginning of the children's spring vacation, and before the May Day and Easter holidays. The second date that is mentioned, or rather the term, is related to regular local elections throughout Serbia, and the possibility that it "falls" in the middle of summer, by mid-July of this year, is mentioned. When planning elections, in a democratic country, the period immediately before or during the most important national and religious holidays or during the summer is usually avoided, in order to allow greater participation of citizens in the elections.

Maja Stojanović

What can the findings of the expert mission bring?

Are we close to the Macedonian scenario?

Priebe's reports, conducted in two neighboring countries, have proven to be useful tools for evaluating and guiding reforms, providing clear guidelines for improvement in key areas. However, their success largely depends on the political will and ability of countries to implement the necessary, deep and sustainable reforms. Knowing that the local authorities lack political will, what should citizens and the international community do with Priebe's team's evaluations?

Maja Stojanović

The international community and Serbia

Pragmatism and compromises - killers of democracy

Tony Barber, a journalist from the "Financial Times", published an article in mid-January entitled "Why is the EU soft on Serbia?". Barber cites three reasons: migration, lithium and Kosovo. The only objection to Barber's text could be that the same reasons for a soft approach can be attributed to America - with less concern about migration, but more concern about Russian influence on Serbia and a balancing approach to prevent it.

Maja Stojanović

Personal attitude

Guests at the holiday of democracy

There are many examples of the participation of the international community in the campaign of parties in power, but it is important to cover the guests who wish well for democracy and this country. For the first time, although the situation was the same in at least five previous election processes, this time we have international observers who decided to clearly and unequivocally point out the seriousness of electoral irregularities in this country

Maja Stojanović