What do the arrests of the middle and bantamweight progressive cadres really represent? How does Vučić militarize the party with this? And why its attraction is being demagnetized
After the arrest of the former mayor of Niš, Dragana Sotirovski, fall and other progressives from this city. They are currently at the back of the column led by the former, but also famous, general director of EPS Milorad Grcic. Where does this "fierce" fight against corruption lead?
Under one - she was forced by a student protest. Two - it comes too late, it gives too little. Three - almost everything that the fallen aces are accused of has long been reported by independent and professional media. So, when the line is drawn, the conclusion is simple: just as the arrest of Sotirovski has no effect on the scheduled protest in Nis on March 1, so the arrest campaign is of no importance for public opinion; promoted progressives are by no means the creators of systemic corruption.
Does the above say that Vučić cracked his whip on the water? From the perspective of the Serbian Progressive Party - it is not. Fear and paranoia have reigned in its membership, which is bound solely by personal interest. There, everyone is at each other's throats, and they differ in their artistic impression, by no means in the given elements.
The incoming and outgoing cadres from the middle and bantam category of government were and remain key to securing votes, rigged jobs, party black operations and much more. All this was paid for with a license to get rich quick. That's why a good part of the SNS today sleeps badly and jerks at every noise. Because - who is the next one to whom the prosecutors will hand the indictment with an expression full of sympathy? Sotirovski and Grcic are far from unique.
Can police footage of handcuffed arrestees cause a rebellion within the SNS structures? Jok - says the caliber of the detainees. First of all, there is no horizontal connection in SNS, only vertical connection. And secondly – initiating any resistance is buying a ticket for detention in CZ. Finally, there are mere executors of limited scope.
What then is left for the tortured progressive? The solution could be an escape to a far foreign country. However, those who fall are poor compared to Slavisa Kokeza and cannot ride carefree into the Florida sunset. Most are threatened with a modest life in exile. Hardly anyone would employ them in an even decent workplace. Their CV and skills are only valid in Serbia.
What could really help progressives on the verge of a nervous breakdown is the institution of a protected witness. And in order to really use it, a judiciary independent of the executive power is needed. You don't need to explain how things are there to anyone in SNS. Turn and turn, they are completely at the mercy of one man.
It's hard, but you still have to listen to Vučić. Although he initiated the cutting down of mediocre party princes in political extortion, he kept repeating the same message. It is a matter of whining about the low morale and even weaker combativeness of a good part of the progressive officials and their business associates. Well, he gave them millions and billions, and as soon as it got a little thick, they kept quiet, whistled and looked at the sky.
Specifically, Vučić uses the fight against corruption to militarize the party. Since his local tormentors may end up on the other side of the bars, now he has to volunteer. Relaxation and routine are over, it's time to leave your heart on the field. There are no longer any guarantees: it is also possible that a good number of the arrested were "tearing" until the police knocked on their door, but they were the most available at the time in question. There's no big money without big risk, right?
Where did that Vučić go who didn't give Bata Gasić, Lončar, Grčić, Sotirovski and the rest of the team? Although he is not a chess master, he knows that the position and the most important piece are saved by sacrificing the weaker ones. If this situation further escalates, it is also possible that some ministers will fall - primarily former ones, but we should not exclude those who have resigned. Quite simply, Vučić hopes to cut off all the roads that lead to him and his brother Andrej. You're such a badass.
There is no doubt that the fear and paranoia of arrest will homogenize the SNS. Also, prevent potential attempts by lower and middle managers to sit on two chairs. So, is the saying still valid that, when it comes to politics, if you see Vučić burning down his own house, you burn down yours too because there must be some benefit?
Not anymore, dear reader, feel free to put down the can of petrol and the matches. These are palliative measures. Just as Vučić was singing after the fall of the canopy that no one would sign anything, so now the SNS is losing its corruption appeal. Because why bother with a marketing party without ideology and solid values, if there is no tangible charm? And, come on, they can still arrest you as soon as the rating of the head of state and the party drops.
Vučić's struggle to find a representative also testifies to this demagnetization of progressive appeal. Those whom he would like - will not; those who want - do not satisfy. In this context of the erosion of power, the inviolability of socialists speaks volumes. Unlike the progressives, they spent twelve years on a diet, in celibacy and saintly honesty. Well, how could you not?
In short, SNS is in an internal crisis for the first time. The only question is whether there are those on the other side capable of using it. We are not referring to the students here - they have done and are doing everything they need to do.
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