People's Movement for the State

People's Movement for the State (Serbian Cyrillic: Народни покрет за државу, romanized: Narodni pokret za državu, NPZD) is an announced political movement in Serbia. It was initiated by Aleksandar Vučić, the president of Serbia and the Serbian Progressive Party, in March 2023.

Not to be confused with People's Movement of Serbia.

People's Movement for the State
Народни покрет за државу
Narodni pokret za državu
AbbreviationNPZD
FounderAleksandar Vučić
Colors  Blue

History
An image of Aleksandar Vučić, 2019
Aleksandar Vučić initiated the People's Movement for the State

The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) was founded in 2008 as a split from the Serbian Radical Party, a far-right political party.[1][2] It was led by Tomislav Nikolić until the 2012 elections, when he resigned as the president of SNS after being elected president of Serbia.[3][4] He was succeeded by Aleksandar Vučić.[5] Vučić succeeded Nikolić as president of Serbia after the 2017 presidential election.[6] In the 2022 general elections, SNS received less votes than in the 2020 parliamentary election.[7] In September 2022, Vučić hinted the potential creation of a political bloc or a movement that would act as the "rebranded" SNS.[8][9] Nova and Vreme news magazines compared the announced movement to the All-Russia People's Front, saying that "the only common goal of the blocs is to strengthen [Vučić's and Vladimir Putin's] personal ratings".[10][11] The movement was initially referred to as the Movement for Serbia, Serb Bloc, and My Serbia by the media.[12][13]

On 8 March 2023, Vučić announced the formation of the People's Movement for the State (NPZD).[14][15] Political scientist Boban Stojanović described the formation of NPZD as "the preparation for the next snap parliamentary elections".[16] Vučić affirmed that SNS would not be dissolved and that NPZD would act as a "supra-party movement".[17][18] Miloš Vučević, the minister of defence, said that whether NPZD would take part in the next elections or only act as an advisory body for SNS will be known at the next SNS assembly.[19] He also said that until the party assembly there would not be any formal activities regarding the formation, nor regarding the official name of the bloc.[20] Vučić announced that he would call the assembly to be held on 27 May and that NPZD will be formalised in late May or early June.[21][22][23] Its first campaign rally was held in Vranje on 11 March.[24][25]

In April 2023, Vučić said that NPZD would be formalised on 28 June and that he would step down as president of SNS at the party assembly on 27 May.[26] This time, he referred to the movement as the People's Movement for Serbia.[26]

Ideology and platform

According to newspaper Danas, the bloc would likely promote "responsible national and civic positions" and economically liberal policies.[8] Bojan Klačar, the executive director of CeSID, stated for Blic that the movement would most likely be ideologically oriented towards the centre-right but that it would lean closer to the centre.[27] Nova reported that the movement would be positioned in the centre, that it would support the accession of Serbia to the European Union, and oppose sanctions on Russia due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[18][28] Deutsche Welle also reported that NPZD would represent the "third way" in Serbian politics, while Nataša Anđelković, a BBC News journalist, concluded that its orientation is not strictly defined.[29][30] Political scientist Věra Stojarová noted that NPZD could adopt populist elements due to its proposed name, while political scientist Vujo Ilić described the formation of the movement as the "epitome of catch-all politics".[30][31] Euronews said that the with the creation of the movement, politically extremist and pro-Russian individuals could be excluded from taking part in the movement.[7] Vučić and Vučević described NPZD as a "state-building movement".[11][32]

Organisation

Leadership

Nova reported that the movement would not officially have a president but that Vučić would instead act as its representative while Danas reported that Vučić would preside over a body that would include leaders of other political parties.[28][33] Political scientist Mladen Mrdalj said that "Vučić will try to change the leadership machinery of SNS with the formation of the bloc".[34]

Members

Political commentator Predrag Rajić said that "the most logical thing for the movement would be to include ruling parties"; he named the Social Democratic Party of Serbia (SDPS), Movement of Socialists, Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), and United Serbia (JS) as potential members.[7] Political scientist Zoran Stojiljković said that it could also include minor parties like the Serbian Renewal Movement and individuals that are supportive of Vučić but were not directly active in politics.[12] Danas reported that PUPS – Solidarity and Justice (PUPS) and Strength of Serbia Movement are also potential members to join NPZD.[35] Klačar said the bloc could be "widely spaced" and that it could exclude far-right parties,[36] while Predrag Lacmanović of Faktor Plus said that opposition parties also might get invited to join the bloc.[37] Vučić stated that the bloc "also needs Bosniaks, Hungarians, Roma, Slovaks, and Romanians in it" and that independent individuals would be apart of the bloc.[38][39] Goran Vesić, the minister of construction, transport, and infrastructure, added that non-governmental organisations could also take part in the movement.[40]

At the party conference on 10 March 2023, SNS stated its support for the formation of NPZD.[19] Rasim Ljajić, the leader of SDPS, said that "it is logical for his party to be part of the new movement", while SPS, JS, PUPS, and the Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina stated their support for the creation of the movement.[31][41][42] Ivica Dačić, the leader of SPS, added that with the formation of the movement, the cooperation between SPS and SNS could be put on an even higher stage.[43] Opposition parties such as the Serbian Party Oathkeepers, New Democratic Party of Serbia, Party of Freedom and Justice, Democratic Party, and Movement of Free Citizens criticised its formation or declined to take part in the movement.[41] Enis Imamović, a Party of Democratic Action of Sandžak member of parliament, said that "the movement does not provide answers to questions of vital importance for Bosniaks", while the Justice and Reconciliation Party said that it would consider participating in the movement.[44]

References
  1. "Nikolić: Službeno osnovana Srpska napredna stranka". Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 10 October 2008. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  2. Gorup, Radmila (2013). After Yugoslavia: The Cultural Spaces of a Vanished Land. Stanford University Press. p. 72. ISBN 9780804787345. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  3. "Nikolić podneo ostavku i zaplakao". B92 (in Serbian). 24 May 2012. Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  4. "Tomislav Nikolić izabran za predsednika Srbije". Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  5. "Aleksandar Vučić novi predsjednik SNS-a". Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 29 September 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  6. "RIK proglasio konačne rezultate predsedničkih izbora u Srbiji". Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 20 April 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  7. "Srpski blok: Tri ključna cilja nove političke formacije koju je Vučić najavio i ko bi mogao da je čini". Euronews (in Serbian). 25 September 2022. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  8. Vlaović, G. (12 September 2022). "Vučić gasi Srpsku naprednu stranku i formira "Moju Srbiju"?". Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  9. "Vučić u narednih šest meseci formira "veliki pokret za opstanak Srbije"". 021.rs (in Serbian). 20 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  10. Jelovac, Jelena (22 September 2022). "Šta zapravo stoji iza Vučićeve ideje o "srpskom bloku"". NOVA portal (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  11. Popović, Sofija (8 March 2023). "Vučićev Narodni pokret za državu: Putinov izum za srpsko tržište". Vreme (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  12. Karabeg, Omer (23 October 2022). "Most: Želi li Vučić da se reši naprednjaka?". Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  13. Glavonjić, Zoran (28 October 2022). "Šta se zna o pokretu koji je najavio predsednik Srbije?". Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  14. Barišić, Vera (8 March 2023). "Formiranje Narodnog pokreta". FoNet portal (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  15. "Novosti: Vučić formira Narodni pokret za državu i kreće u obilazak Srbije". N1 (in Serbian). 8 March 2023. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  16. "Stojanović: Formiranje 'narodnog pokreta za državu' još jedna Vučićeva manipulacija". Novinska agencija Beta (in Serbian). 8 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  17. Stojković, Anđelija (9 March 2023). "Niko neće ukinuti SNS". FoNet portal (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  18. Latković, Nataša (8 March 2023). "SNS-u pada rejting prvi put od dolaska na vlast: Vučić u panici traži spas u Narodnom pokretu". NOVA portal (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  19. "Podržan Vučićev predlog". FoNet portal (in Serbian). 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  20. "Vučević: Ne isključujem da će Narodni pokret učestvovati na narednim izborima". N1 (in Serbian). 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  21. "Vučić: Suočavaćemo se sa dodatnim pritiscima oko KiM, Narodni pokret za državu okupiće sve kojima je stalo do Srbije". Tanjug (in Serbian). 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  22. "Vučić: U Narodnom pokretu bilo bi i mnogo nestranačkih ličnosti". N1 (in Serbian). 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  23. "Vučić objavio kada će biti formiran Narodni pokret za državu". N1 (in Serbian). 11 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  24. Lukač, Davor (11 March 2023). "Nema predaje". FoNet portal (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  25. Stojanović, Milan (11 March 2023). "Vučić Vranjance nazvao "čuvarima teritorije", obećao subvencije i ulaganja". N1 (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  26. "Vučić najavio povlačenje sa čela SNS-a 27. maja, formiranje Narodnog pokreta za Srbiju na Vidovdan". Danas (in Serbian). 20 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  27. Luković, Danijela (20 September 2022). "TRI MUVE JEDNIM POKRETOM Šta Vučić hoće da postigne novom organizacijom: Od rebrendiranja SNS, preko sređivanja desnice, do prevazilaženja podela, a sve to ima VEZE I SA PUTINOM". Blic (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  28. Milovančević, Vojislav (16 December 2022). "Vučićev pokret "Srpski blok" na čekanju do proleća, prvo izbori u SNS". NOVA portal (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  29. Petrović, Ivica (11 March 2023). "Zbijanje redova iza Vučića: Čemu služi Narodni pokret?". Deutsche Welle (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
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  31. Đurović, Jovana; Ranković, Rade (14 March 2023). "Hoće li Vučićev Narodni pokret za državu „pojesti" nacionalnu desnicu". Voice of America (in Serbian). Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  32. "Vučević: Narodni pokret okuplja sve koji žele da očuvaju Srbiju u ovim okolnostima". Tanjug (in Serbian). 9 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  33. Valtner, Lidija (16 December 2022). "Najavljeno, pa stavljeno po strani: Zašto Vučić gotovo da ne pominje stvaranje srpskog pokreta?". Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  34. "Kako novi Vučićev pokret može biti put ka defakto diktaturi". N1 (in Serbian). 8 March 2023. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  35. Valtner, Lidija (9 March 2023). "Od preventivnog vezivanja do političkog suicida: Kako će se SPS odnositi prema novom Vučićevom pokretu?". Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  36. Luković, Danijela (1 September 2022). "NI NA ISTOK, NI NA ZAPAD... Šta je Vučićev NOVI BLOK: Ni stranka, ni pokret, već KONSENZUS! U njemu ima mesta za sve, osim za JEDNU GRUPU, a ključno pitanje je: Može li da pomiri Srbiju?". Blic (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  37. Luković, Danijela (11 January 2023). "U NOVOJ GODINI - NOVA POLITIČKA SILA! Šta je naumio Vučić sa SNS i kako bi sve to moglo da izgleda u 2023". Blic (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  38. "Vučić: Na sledećim izborima i 'Blok Srbija' i SNS, Nova vlada iduće nedelje". Novinska agencija Beta (in Serbian). 21 October 2022. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  39. Lukač, Davor (10 March 2023). "Istorijski rez". FoNet portal (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  40. "Vesić: Narodni pokret istorijska inicijativa, neophodno jedinstvo po pitanju KiM". Euronews (in Serbian). 14 March 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
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  44. Šehović, Nedžib (28 March 2023). "Bošnjačke partije (ne)odlučno o Vučićevom Narodnom pokretu". Radio Sto Plus. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
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