People's Movement for the State

People's Movement for the State (Serbian Cyrillic: Народни покрет за државу, romanized: Narodni pokret za državu, abbr. NPZD) is an announced political movement in Serbia. It was initiated by Aleksandar Vučić, the president of Serbia and former president of 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
LeaderAleksandar Vučić
FounderAleksandar Vučić
Colors  Blue
Slogan"Srbija sanja i snove ostvaruje"
("Serbia dreams and its dreams come true")

History

Background
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 from the position of president of SNS after being elected president of Serbia.[3][4] Aleksandar Vučić succeeded him as president of SNS, while in 2017, he also succeeded Nikolić as president of Serbia after the 2017 presidential election.[5][6]

In the 2022 general elections, SNS received less votes and seats than in the 2020 parliamentary election.[7] Then 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]

Formation

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 instead act as a "supra-party movement".[17][18] Vučić organised rallies to promote the movement in Vranje on 11 March,[19][20] and in Pančevo on 19 May.[21] Miloš Vučević, the minister of defence, succeeded Vučić as president of SNS on 27 May.[22][23]

Initially, it was announced that the movement would be formalised on Vidovdan, however shortly before Vidovdan, Vučić announced that it would instead be formalised by September 2023.[24][25] Later in August, Vučević and Darko Glišić, the president of the executive board of SNS, announced that it would be formalised in early autumn.[26][27] At the session of the main board of SNS, which was held in October 2023, there were no mentions of NPZD.[28] However, in late October 2023, Vučić announced that NPZD will be formed "in the coming period".[29]

Ideology and platform

According to newspaper Danas, the movement 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.[30] 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 related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[18][31] Balkan Insight has described the movement as centrist.[32]

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 has not been yet strictly defined.[33][34] 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".[34][35] 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][36] In June 2023, Vučić announced that they would also publish their political platform "in 10 or 15 days".[37] However, as of August 2023, the platform has not been published yet.[37]

Organisation

At its rallies, the "Serbia dreams and its dreams come true" (Srbija sanja i snove ostvaruje) slogan was utilised.[38][39]

Leadership

Nova reported that the movement would not officially have a president but that Vučić would instead act as its representative; Danas reported that Vučić would preside over a body that would include leaders of other political parties.[31][40] Political scientist Mladen Mrdalj said that "Vučić will try to change the leadership machinery of SNS with the formation of the bloc".[41] After his election as president of SNS, Vučević said that Vučić will be the leader of NPZD.[42]

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.[43] Klačar said the bloc could be "widely spaced" and that it could exclude far-right parties,[44] while Predrag Lacmanović of Faktor Plus said that opposition parties also might get invited to join the bloc.[45] Vučić stated that the bloc "also needs Bosniaks, Hungarians, Roma, Slovaks, and Romanians in it" and that independent individuals would be part of the bloc.[46][47] Goran Vesić, the minister of construction, transport, and infrastructure, added that non-governmental organisations could also take part in the movement.[48]

At the party conference on 10 March 2023, SNS stated its support for the formation of NPZD, while after Vučević's election as president of SNS, it was confirmed that SNS would take part in the movement.[42][49] 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.[35][50][51] In an August 2023 interview for Politika, Ljajić said that "[SDPS] certainly expects talks with our coalition partner, the Serbian Progressive Party" and that he sees the potential of the movement to be the "barrier to any extremism, especially right-wing extremism".[52] 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.[53] A faction opposed to joining NPZD was formed inside SPS with individuals, such as vice-president Predrag J. Marković who has said that "SPS would lose its identity if it joins the movement".[54][55] SNS held negotiations with Milan Stamatović's Healthy Serbia in October 2023.[56]

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.[50] 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.[57]

Name Leader Main ideology Political position Ref
Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Miloš Vučević Populism Big tent [58][59]

References
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  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" [Nikolić resigned and cried]. 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). Tomislav Nikolić is elected president of Serbia. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. "Aleksandar Vučić novi predsjednik SNS-a" [Aleksandar Vučić is the new president of SNS]. 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" [RIK announced the final results of the presidential elections in Serbia]. 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" [Serb Bloc: Three key goals of the new political formation announced by Vučić and who could take part in it]. 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"?" [Vučić is shutting down the Serbian Progressive Party and forming "My Serbia"?]. 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"" [Vučić will form a "great movement for the survival of Serbia" in the next six months]. 021.rs (in Serbian). 20 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
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  13. Glavonjić, Zoran (28 October 2022). "Šta se zna o pokretu koji je najavio predsednik Srbije?" [What is known about the movement announced by the president of Serbia?]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
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  17. Stojković, Anđelija (9 March 2023). "Niko neće ukinuti SNS" [No one will abolish 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" [The rating of the SNS is falling for the first time since coming to power: Vučić is panicking and looking for salvation in the People's Movement]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
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  28. Radovanović, Vojin (17 October 2023). ""Bio formiran ili ne - svešće se na slogan": Svi rokovi prošli, izbori se bliže, a Narodnog pokreta za državu još nema" ["Whether formed or not - it will come down to a slogan": All deadlines have passed, the elections are approaching, and there is still no People's Movement for the State]. Danas (in Serbian). Retrieved 18 October 2023.
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  37. Kojić, Nikola (11 August 2023). "Ni slovo na papiru: Vučićev Narodni pokret za državu i dalje samo u najavi" [Not even a word on a paper: Vučić's People's Movement for the State is still just an announcement]. N1 (in Serbian). Retrieved 12 August 2023.
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  40. Valtner, Lidija (16 December 2022). "Najavljeno, pa stavljeno po strani: Zašto Vučić gotovo da ne pominje stvaranje srpskog pokreta?" [Announced, then put aside: Why does Vučić hardly mention the creation of the Serbian movement?]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
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  43. Valtner, Lidija (9 March 2023). "Od preventivnog vezivanja do političkog suicida: Kako će se SPS odnositi prema novom Vučićevom pokretu?" [From pre-trial detention to political suicide: How will the SPS treat the new Vučić movement?]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  44. 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?" [Neither to the east nor to the west... What is Vučić's new bloc, Neither a party, nor a movement, but a consensus! There is room in it for everyone, except for one group, and the key question is: Can it reconcile Serbia?]. Blic (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  45. 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" [In the new year - a new political force! What is Vučić up to with SNS and how could it all look like in 2023?]. Blic (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  46. "Vučić: Na sledećim izborima i 'Blok Srbija' i SNS, Nova vlada iduće nedelje" [Vučić: In the next elections, both the 'Serb Bloc' and the SNS, the new government will be announced next week]. Novinska agencija Beta (in Serbian). 21 October 2022. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  47. Lukač, Davor (10 March 2023). "Istorijski rez" [Historical cut]. FoNet portal (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  48. "Vesić: Narodni pokret istorijska inicijativa, neophodno jedinstvo po pitanju KiM" [Vesić: The People's Movement is a historical initiative, necessary unity on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija]. Euronews (in Serbian). 14 March 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  49. "Podržan Vučićev predlog" [Vučić's proposal has support]. FoNet portal (in Serbian). 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  50. Cvetković, Ljudmila (13 March 2023). "Pet odgovora o Narodnom pokretu za državu predsednika Srbije" [Five answers about the People's Movement for the State of the President of Serbia]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  51. "Palma: Svi zajedno treba da podržimo osnivanje Narodnog pokreta za državu koje je Vučić najavio" [Palma: We should all together support the establishment of the People's Movement for the State that Vučić announced]. Telegraf (in Serbian). 1 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  52. Spalović, Dejan (7 August 2023). "Potpuni debakl međunarodne zajednice na Kosovu" [A complete debacle of the international community in Kosovo]. Politika (in Serbian). Retrieved 12 August 2023.
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  55. "Predrag Marković protiv utapanja SPS u Vučićev Narodni pokret za državu" [Predrag Marković against submerging the SPS in Vučić's People's Movement for the State]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 8 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  56. Latković, Nataša (23 October 2023). "Stamatović pregovara o ulasku u Vučićev pokret" [Stamatović is negotiating to join Vučić's movement]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  57. Šehović, Nedžib (28 March 2023). "Bošnjačke partije (ne)odlučno o Vučićevom Narodnom pokretu" [Bosniak parties (undecided) about Vučić's People's Movement]. Radio Sto Plus (in Serbian). Retrieved 8 April 2023.
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  59. Stojić, Marko (2018). Party responses to the EU in the western Balkans: transformation, opposition or defiance?. Cham, Switzerland. p. 135. ISBN 978-3-319-59563-4. OCLC 1003200383.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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