D4.1 Country Report | November 2021
Author: Stevan Tatalovic, Center for Comparative Conflict Studies (CFCCS)
After the fall of Milosević’s regime in 2000, Serbia has started so called democratic reforms. However, Kosovo independence in 2008 remains to be the most pressing issue that can easily ignite ethnic tensions. Despite post-Milosevic time brought some progress, since 2012, Serbian society is highly polarised, and the political climate has been radicalised recently. Erosion of human rights and freedoms, low trust in state institutions among minority groups, youth unemployment, identity crisis, and social isolation are just a few factors that strongly shape current radicalisation trends. The synergy of different radicalisation drivers creates a breeding ground for potential extremism in Serbia, mainly oriented towards far-right in the spectrum. Shortcomings in Serbian democracy further raise concerns over whether the voices of deradicalization are being heard.