Vesić's gambit by Aleksandar Vučić

The government of Aleksandar Vučić was put to the test after the mass murders in Ribnikar, Dubona and Mali Orašje on May 3 and 4 last year. There was a huge wave of discontent on the streets of Belgrade. The ultimate outcome of that breath of rebellion was the confirmation of the absolute and uncontrolled power of the coalition gathered around the President of Serbia in the elections in December 2023 and June 2024.

The government is in trouble even after fatal accidents na railway station in Novi Sad. It seems, for now, in less than last year. They are disgust and anger great in one part of the public, but concrete actions are far less intense.

In order not to escalate and give a headache to the regime focused on EXPO 2027, Goran Vesić was "sacrificed" sooner rather than later as a sign that Vučić is ready to punish those responsible for the death of 14 people this time. Sacrificed, but not politically written off, because the resigned Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure and the President of the State and Prime Minister Miloš Vučević underlined that he does not actually bear a single "bit" of responsibility for the death in Novi Sad, but yes, as an honorable man and the competent minister resigns for "moral reasons".

In an address to the nation on the evening of the day of the accident, the head of state gave instructions to all his subordinates who are allowed to speak publicly on how to deal with the latest tragedy: we admit that there were mistakes and omissions and we promise that those responsible for the collapse of the canopy will be punished, politically and criminal. That's what everyone found on pinks and informers.

This is a tactical difference compared to the systemic defense last year, when the decision was not to admit any mistake or responsibility, so that no one thought of resigning, so the strength of the street protests grew week by week.

The character of the ruler and the character of the government

Vučić learned last year's lesson and fine-tuned the answer to the new challenge. The question is whether the opposition has also learned it and whether it can draw political conclusions from it.

What has, of course, remained the same is the character of the Serbian autocrat and his government.

Just as he did not dare to go to Ribnikar, Dubona and Malo Orasje, so now Aleksandar Vučić scared to go to the railway station in Novi Sad, bow before the victims and as a statesman be with the people who are shaken and mourn and give them comfort. He stuck to television.

How should a ruler behave in moments of great calamity showed the King of Spain Felipe VI who, after the deadly floods, went to the suffering Valencia, aware that he would be exposed to anger and attacks.

But even when he tries, Aleksandar Vučić simply has a problem with showing empathy. Any attempt to show compassion for him degenerates into self-aggrandizement and aggression directed at anyone who criticizes him or whom he thinks might threaten his ratings. So stay away from uncontrolled situations.

According to his character, the media he controls react in the same way.

This is shown by a section of the vocabulary used in the morning program of Pink television on Sunday, the second day of mourning in Vojvodina, directed against all those who pointed to the authorities' responsibility for the Novi Sad accident: monsters, vultures, shameful bots, dirty campaign, violent behavior, hooligans, showed their true face, without humanity, the opposition media want to blame our president, collect political points from the tragedy, tarnish the political scene, protest addicts, want to tarnish rescue operation, creepy, that's 0,1 percent of the population, they're not normal, they have no face, scum from the opposition, they have no emotions, the whole world is horrified by them, they cause panic, the so-called opposition, people who are looking for victims, all of them are bullies, ugly and disgusting, below every limit of humanity, they do not respect pain, they involved lithium in the tragedy in Novi Sad, they lie, haters, they abuse terrible pain, they want to slaughter in the streets, they want to seized power, anti-Serbs...

These are quotes from various characters who appeared on Pink as a support group for Dragan J. Vučićević. The term "monsters" was used most often.

Similarities and differences

After the mass murders in Ribnikar, Dubona and Mali Orašje, a part of the citizens saw complicity in the crimes in the pro-state mass media that promote violence. The so-called media, led by Pink and Informer, closed ranks and, with the wholehearted support of Vučić's state officials, set about discrediting "Solak's mercenaries" who are "misusing" the tragedy and "calling for the assassination of the President of Serbia" with the aim of "coming to power on the streets". "Serbia against violence" emerged from the mass protests of citizens and insisted on the responsibility of the authorities. In vain, it will turn out.

After the fatal accident at the railway station in Novi Sad, which claimed the lives of 14 moles in one part of the public, there is a loud voice, and those whose job it is to prevent such incidents from happening are once again being asked to answer. The opposition sees the cause of the accident at the Novi Sad railway station in endemic corruption, the consequence of which is that investors close to the government can bypass regulations with impunity, and people whose basic qualification is loyalty to Vučić, not expertise, come to responsible positions.

The slogan this time is because it was not an accident, but that "a crime was committed", without premeditation, of course, but a crime due to negligence. As after the tragedy last year, now civil activist groups with the support of opposition politicians want to organize mass protests.

The difference between last year's and this year's tragic events is that back then the killers had a first and last name and it was much more difficult to establish a connection between the promotion of violence in the media close to the government and mass murders, as well as the responsibility of the competent institutions because they did not prevent it.

The then Minister of Education Branko Ružić submitted his resignation for moral reasons, although he was expressly ordered "from above" not to submit it because the tactic in the ruling coalition was to close ranks and not by chance admit any responsibility, not to give in by the foot.

In the current case, the connection of the competent state authorities with the accident is undeniable.

Undeniable responsibility

This time it is quite clear that there has been a systemic failure in the chain of those responsible for the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station and that someone, or a few, who have been appointed to responsible positions must be held accountable. It is, indeed, impossible to deny.

All attempts to relativize it are futile, as if, well, that canopy was dilapidated and that the Yugoslav builders had neglected safety for the sake of aesthetics, or that bridges, roads or shopping centers were collapsing all over the world, that it simply happens.

In the case of Novi Sad, it does not drink water, even in the public intoxicated by controlled media.

Vučić also understood this, so the approach is now completely different: admit that a mistake was made, praise the resignation of the competent minister, Goran Vesić, and let's see what happens next depending on the pressure on the streets. Of course with accompanying barrage fire on the enemy.

After a precise measurement of public opinion, Vučić released the valve on the pressure cooker of resentment on the verge of rebellion by calling for special elections on December 17, aware of a certain risk for the outcome in Belgrade.

Now he is offering some kind of "advisory referendum", that is, for the people to say whether they want him or not as the president of Serbia, because all the protests and criticism and attacks are aimed only at "removing his head", so as to make things easier for schoolchildren .

This diverts attention from the cardinal systemic and personnel failures of this government and the natural desire of citizens that state institutions do their work in accordance with the law.

If necessary, depending on the measurement of society's pressure, maybe another minister's head will roll. It is very possible that someone will be criminally responsible for the collapse of the canopy. But the system will not change because of it.