Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is confronting an escalating wave of criticism from opposition politicians, civil society and regional observers, who accuse him of using nationalist rhetoric to consolidate power and destabilising neighbouring states. The backlash has intensified amid a series of controversial incidents, from a heated exchange with Interior Minister Bratislav Helez to diplomatic frictions over commemorations of the 1995 "Operation Storm" in Croatia.
Domestic opposition sharpens its attack
Opposition leaders have seized on a recent confrontation between Vučić and Helez, during which the minister warned that "if we wanted to arrest you, even your thugs wouldn't protect you," according to the Serbian daily Danas. The remark, made in response to Vučić’s suggestion that the government could be targeted by criminal elements, underscores the deepening rift within the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and its allies.
In a separate commentary, political analyst Vladimir Koprivica warned that "nationalistic themes are once again being used for political showdowns, tragedies are being misused for profiteering," as reported by the Montenegrin outlet vijesti.me. Koprivica’s observation reflects concerns that the government is instrumentalising historic grievances to rally its base ahead of upcoming elections.
Within the parliamentary arena, the NIN.rs newspaper described the situation as a "chess match" in Serbian politics, noting that former mayor Goran Macut survived recent pressure and is now expected to seek his own "dismissal" from the party hierarchy. The report suggests that internal power struggles are increasingly public, with senior officials being forced to choose between loyalty to Vučić and distancing themselves from his more controversial policies.
Regional fallout fuels diplomatic strain
Vučić’s approach has also drawn criticism from neighbouring capitals. In Montenegro, a delegation from Podgorica attended a ceremony commemorating the 1995 "Oluja" operation in Croatia, prompting a wave of protest that Danas characterised as "Vučić’s anger and division in Montenegro." The presence of Montenegrin officials at the event was viewed by many as a direct challenge to the fragile post‑war reconciliation process.
Further inflaming tensions, a Croatian media outlet reported that a Serbian flag was burned in Otočac and a banner reading "Sloboda" was displayed near the site, an incident described by Kurir as "scandalous". The act was condemned by local authorities as a provocation that could undermine cross‑border cooperation.
From the Kosovo perspective, the Albanian‑language newspaper Koha warned that "instead of normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, tensions will grow," echoing longstanding concerns that Vučić’s rhetoric is eroding the modest progress made under EU‑mediated talks.
Regional media analysts in Kosovo’s Gazeta Express argued that Serbian media outlets are portraying Vučić as a "violator of the sovereignty of neighbouring states" and a "destabilising factor in the Balkans," a narrative that could further isolate Belgrade from its European partners.
"If we wanted to arrest you, even your thugs wouldn't protect you," Interior Minister Bratislav Helez told President Vučić, according to Danas.
While Vučić’s supporters maintain that his firm stance is necessary to safeguard Serbia’s national interests, critics contend that the president’s tactics risk deepening ethnic divisions and jeopardising Serbia’s EU accession prospects. International observers have called for a de‑escalation of rhetoric and a renewed focus on dialogue, but the political calculus in Belgrade appears increasingly dominated by short‑term electoral considerations.
As Serbia heads toward local elections later this year, the confluence of domestic dissent and regional friction places Vučić at a crossroads: he can either temper his confrontational style to rebuild diplomatic bridges or continue a path that may further alienate both internal opponents and neighbouring governments.
