"Serious action, even if it loses us elections"

Good comment by T. The fact is that people in Serbia are very unhappy.

Its not just the poor economic situation that people realise is a problem shared around the world. Its not just the corruption that is continuing. Its not even about whether we join the EU or whether we should have equidistance between East and West, or even to embrace Russia.

What people are most unhappy about is the lack of direction the country seems to have. The current government led by DS was mandated to reform and to unify Serbian opinion on certain national issues. Although there has been some success on the second, there has been close to no progress on the first.

Like him or hate him, one had the feeling with Zoran Djindjic that the country was going in a certain direction, there was a sense of purpose.

With the current government there is a sense of policy drift. The current government (election) strategy consists of clamping down on a few highly profiled cases of corruption and getting official candidate status for European Union membership.

Can that really be it? It seems so, government ministers and departments are also working harder, keeping their noses clean, some laws are being prepared for parliament as well.

So what we have here is a government that is working at about 70% of the level that they should be working all the time and they are only working at this level at all because the election is around the corner.

People are fed up of it. Tadic is not a great leader, he has a great desire to be liked but is not capable of making hard, unpopular decisions.

So what do we have? We will have an election and DS will win again, either by forming a coalition with SPS and LDP or by forming a coalition with SNS.

I'm sick and tired of the lack of credibility that Serbian political parties have, many former and current DS voters would jump ship if there was a half decent alternative...

When it comes to leadership qualities, Rasim Ljajić is a man I see is someone who is finally taking charge and stock of the situation this country has got itself into. A situation which is untenable and of which most politicians have been in denial for far too long.
Serbia has been mismanaged for decades and unless real progress is made in reforms this country will face an uncertain future, even within the EU. Lets get this straight. The EU can be of assistance with many useful solutions but is not the means to an end. Serbs have got to vote in politicians that are capable and that are servants to the economy and the people, not themselves.

bganon,

The biggt problem for Serbia is that we don't actually have a Serbian governent, we hav a "Serb" government. And we haven't had a Serbian government for a long long time.

I am sure many will respond by calling me a Tuk, Shiqtar or aything else on here but it is true. Most of ur major political leaders have been Serbs whose origins lie outside Serbia and to thisday they still have a eelng that poor, ecnomically destroyed Serbiashould be helping fellow Serbs in neighbouring countries.

This is bad fo as in terms of relations with eighbouring states and the fact that monetary resources are diverted to some of their causes (i.e. bridges in Republika Srpska, Serb groups from Monenegro beggin for money).

Serbia needs a ruler, who is "Serbian" not a "Serb".
---

There is another thing our leaders lack besides purpose. They lack a spine.

They are unwilling to tell honest truths and do hard things.
- They are unwilling to say, "Serbians should have priority in employment over Serbs from outside Serbia."

Another Canadian Serb,

no my view is clear. No people whose origins are Montenegrin or Bosnian.

Serbia needs a president whose origins lie in Serbia, not outside it. It's strange how many of our political leaders origins are foreign.

Slobo's origins? Montenegro.
Tadic's origins? Montenegro and Hercegovina.
Vuk Draskovic's (once a prominent politician) origins? Hercegovina.
Vojislav Seselj? Hercegovina.
Djindjic? Bosnia (although to be fair his fathers side is from Serbia).

The list can go and on how many of our politicians can be said to have origins outside Serbia.

Its sad how someone whose origins lie in Serbia can't get elected and instead our politicians have to deal with questions regarding Serbs outside Serbia and pander to them to get vote (Djindjic wasn't immune to this - there is the incident of him in Pale with Karadzic in the early 1990s and the quote of Drina being the spine of Serbia).

Serbia, its development and its economy should be the priority for our politicians.

Guys, I have to say that although you both make some valid points that you are both falling into a trap.

Its not really important where somebody comes from. Politicians pander to voters, if they believe there is more support to be gained addressing one target group they will do that.

The real point is the difference between a leader who is willing to say no to his advisors and to occasionally ignore what is currently popular.

This is the department where Tadic is lacking. He has this desire to be liked and a fear that he will be rejected and his career will end in failure. He will stop at nothing to ensure that doesn't happen. In practice that means the status quo will remain. And if the current status is bad, as it is, then nothing will change.

And again we look around to see what the alternative is and there is none. Instead people are forced to look at alternative leaders within DS. The likes of Vuk Jeremic is mentioned. Not because he is a competent reformer, not because we are clear on his policies (we are not), not because he could motivate the Serbian government, crack down on corruption etc. No, its because he has done an adequate job with regard to Kosovo.

Well I know of another politician who did a lot of talking on Kosovo during the 1980's and 90's on Kosovo and became popular for that reason.

Yaroslav,

Do you mean Serbia needs a ruler such as Tito; a non Serb. Or even a leader such as Stephan Mesic.

No, you are wrong Yaroslav!

Serbia has a minute population of 7 million people. Serbia needs a leader to begin looking after Serbs first and Serbians second. If Serbia had looked afer it's Serb population after world I & II, then we wouldn't be having this conversation right now, would we?

Besides, Croatia has it's own ethnic leader, as does Montenegro and Slovenia.

Historically, Serbs have been far too nice to Serbians, always forgiving and forgetting.

Time for Serbs to look after themselves first!

Bg anon, its not even doing the unpopular that they're scared of doing. Its also the popular that would be hard for them to do that they don't do.

Honestly, remember how Tadic proposed that tycoons should build bridges to surround there wealth with legitimacy.

Dealing with ill gotten gains would be popular. But Tadic's solution, is how shall we say, a cop out.

I could go into detail why it is, but given how much wealth the wealthiest Serbs have and the standard of living here I can say one thing: "A couple of measly infrastructure projects will not give any ill-gotten money legitimacy in my eyes."

The real point is the difference between a leader who is willing to say no to his advisors and to occasionally ignore what is currently popular.
This is the department where Tadic is lacking.
(bganon, 4 April 2011 23:31)
--
I wouldn't say Tadic is lacking there. He has done some unpopular things but it surrounds the Kosovo and EU policy. Essentially, Tadic wants to make the EU/US happy instead of focusing on the Serbian people.

With the "Serbia has no alternative to EU" policy, Tadic has arrested and continues to seek remaining Hague indictees and he has remained silent as control over Kosovo erodes. He has been a bit limp in respect to Kosovo and that isn't popular. This is where Jeremic gets a few extra points.

Serbia's problem, however, is economic and that's where we lack real leadership. We have flawed tax and customs laws, which force people into the black market and scares away business. There is too much corruption in government and they tend to look after themselves and big business while neglecting the rest. We need to focus on more infrastructure projects and revise our economic model. We have currency sovereignty so why not use it instead of getting euro/dollar loans? The list goes on...

Yaroslav.

A Serbian is a person with Serbian citizenship of any ethnicity.

However, a Serb is someone of true Serbian ethnicity, such as a Srbin.

Serbs should be governed by a Srbin and not a Serbian!

Yaroslav.

A Serbian is a person with Serbian citizenship of any ethnicity.

However, a Serb is someone of true Serbian ethnicity, such as a Srbin.

Serbs should be governed by a Srbin and not a Serbian!
(Another Canadian Serb, 4 April 2011 22:51)
Ah another believer in the "master race", so how does it feel living in a diverse society like Canada and you announce to the crowd you are a Serb and everyone says "thats nice"?

Serbia, its development and its economy should be the priority for our politicians.
(Yaroslav, 4 April 2011 21:29)

Yaroslav,

I agree with your opinion that the economy matters and with a previous poster that the country is somewhat rudderless, drifting with no sense of direction. I dont think that is down entirely to Tadic, I think it is a combination of issues that the country is facing, economy and Kosovo. Serbia's geo political position (house in the middle of the road) is both a curse and a blessing. We should harness it for our maximum benefit but one which should not hurt Serbia. However I do believe that there should be a greater focus on the economy and jobs. For those of us living in Serbia, this is the biggest issue. Let us be honest, we are hurting. Tadic should take the bull by the horns and make some hard decisions. Serbia needs reform but not at the expense of ordinary people.

I personally believe that it does not matter if the man or woman who leads Serbia is a Serb, Croat, Hungarian, Bosniak. All he/she nees to do is act in the interest of all of us irrespective of nationality and provide the country with 1) jobs which should be the main priority and 2) Kosovo. Playing the nationalist card and pandeering to the whims of the diaspora living in Canada, US or Serbs in RS will not put food on our tables. Serbia is not just inhabited by Serbs. All ethnic groups in our country are suffering because of the economy. Yes we should continue on finding a solution to Kosovo but we need a solution for our future and our children's future otherwise there will be nobody left only very young and very old. I am 33, I was born in Serbia, I live here in Serbia, i work here in Serbia and I want to feel that I have a future in Serbia. I don't want to uproot and join the rest of my relatives in Slovenia or my Chinese girlfriend who is going back to Shanghai next year - that is another issue ;). My parents and cousins are in Serbia, my siblings are also here as are my good neighbours and friends.

We need direction and leadership and I dont care if it comes from a Jovan or Josip.

Yaroslav,

Do you mean Serbia needs a ruler such as Tito; a non Serb. Or even a leader such as Stephan Mesic.

No, you are wrong Yaroslav!

Serbia has a minute population of 7 million people. Serbia needs a leader to begin looking after Serbs first and Serbians second. If Serbia had looked afer it's Serb population after world I & II, then we wouldn't be having this conversation right now, would we?

Besides, Croatia has it's own ethnic leader, as does Montenegro and Slovenia.

Historically, Serbs have been far too nice to Serbians, always forgiving and forgetting.

Time for Serbs to look after themselves first!

bganon,

The biggt problem for Serbia is that we don't actually have a Serbian governent, we hav a "Serb" government. And we haven't had a Serbian government for a long long time.

I am sure many will respond by calling me a Tuk, Shiqtar or aything else on here but it is true. Most of ur major political leaders have been Serbs whose origins lie outside Serbia and to thisday they still have a eelng that poor, ecnomically destroyed Serbiashould be helping fellow Serbs in neighbouring countries.

This is bad fo as in terms of relations with eighbouring states and the fact that monetary resources are diverted to some of their causes (i.e. bridges in Republika Srpska, Serb groups from Monenegro beggin for money).

Serbia needs a ruler, who is "Serbian" not a "Serb".
---

There is another thing our leaders lack besides purpose. They lack a spine.

They are unwilling to tell honest truths and do hard things.
- They are unwilling to say, "Serbians should have priority in employment over Serbs from outside Serbia."

Yaroslav.

A Serbian is a person with Serbian citizenship of any ethnicity.

However, a Serb is someone of true Serbian ethnicity, such as a Srbin.

Serbs should be governed by a Srbin and not a Serbian!
(Another Canadian Serb, 4 April 2011 22:51)
Ah another believer in the "master race", so how does it feel living in a diverse society like Canada and you announce to the crowd you are a Serb and everyone says "thats nice"?

Good comment by T. The fact is that people in Serbia are very unhappy.

Its not just the poor economic situation that people realise is a problem shared around the world. Its not just the corruption that is continuing. Its not even about whether we join the EU or whether we should have equidistance between East and West, or even to embrace Russia.

What people are most unhappy about is the lack of direction the country seems to have. The current government led by DS was mandated to reform and to unify Serbian opinion on certain national issues. Although there has been some success on the second, there has been close to no progress on the first.

Like him or hate him, one had the feeling with Zoran Djindjic that the country was going in a certain direction, there was a sense of purpose.

With the current government there is a sense of policy drift. The current government (election) strategy consists of clamping down on a few highly profiled cases of corruption and getting official candidate status for European Union membership.

Can that really be it? It seems so, government ministers and departments are also working harder, keeping their noses clean, some laws are being prepared for parliament as well.

So what we have here is a government that is working at about 70% of the level that they should be working all the time and they are only working at this level at all because the election is around the corner.

People are fed up of it. Tadic is not a great leader, he has a great desire to be liked but is not capable of making hard, unpopular decisions.

So what do we have? We will have an election and DS will win again, either by forming a coalition with SPS and LDP or by forming a coalition with SNS.

I'm sick and tired of the lack of credibility that Serbian political parties have, many former and current DS voters would jump ship if there was a half decent alternative...

Yaroslav.

A Serbian is a person with Serbian citizenship of any ethnicity.

However, a Serb is someone of true Serbian ethnicity, such as a Srbin.

Serbs should be governed by a Srbin and not a Serbian!

When it comes to leadership qualities, Rasim Ljajić is a man I see is someone who is finally taking charge and stock of the situation this country has got itself into. A situation which is untenable and of which most politicians have been in denial for far too long.
Serbia has been mismanaged for decades and unless real progress is made in reforms this country will face an uncertain future, even within the EU. Lets get this straight. The EU can be of assistance with many useful solutions but is not the means to an end. Serbs have got to vote in politicians that are capable and that are servants to the economy and the people, not themselves.

Guys, I have to say that although you both make some valid points that you are both falling into a trap.

Its not really important where somebody comes from. Politicians pander to voters, if they believe there is more support to be gained addressing one target group they will do that.

The real point is the difference between a leader who is willing to say no to his advisors and to occasionally ignore what is currently popular.

This is the department where Tadic is lacking. He has this desire to be liked and a fear that he will be rejected and his career will end in failure. He will stop at nothing to ensure that doesn't happen. In practice that means the status quo will remain. And if the current status is bad, as it is, then nothing will change.

And again we look around to see what the alternative is and there is none. Instead people are forced to look at alternative leaders within DS. The likes of Vuk Jeremic is mentioned. Not because he is a competent reformer, not because we are clear on his policies (we are not), not because he could motivate the Serbian government, crack down on corruption etc. No, its because he has done an adequate job with regard to Kosovo.

Well I know of another politician who did a lot of talking on Kosovo during the 1980's and 90's on Kosovo and became popular for that reason.

Another Canadian Serb,

no my view is clear. No people whose origins are Montenegrin or Bosnian.

Serbia needs a president whose origins lie in Serbia, not outside it. It's strange how many of our political leaders origins are foreign.

Slobo's origins? Montenegro.
Tadic's origins? Montenegro and Hercegovina.
Vuk Draskovic's (once a prominent politician) origins? Hercegovina.
Vojislav Seselj? Hercegovina.
Djindjic? Bosnia (although to be fair his fathers side is from Serbia).

The list can go and on how many of our politicians can be said to have origins outside Serbia.

Its sad how someone whose origins lie in Serbia can't get elected and instead our politicians have to deal with questions regarding Serbs outside Serbia and pander to them to get vote (Djindjic wasn't immune to this - there is the incident of him in Pale with Karadzic in the early 1990s and the quote of Drina being the spine of Serbia).

Serbia, its development and its economy should be the priority for our politicians.

Bg anon, its not even doing the unpopular that they're scared of doing. Its also the popular that would be hard for them to do that they don't do.

Honestly, remember how Tadic proposed that tycoons should build bridges to surround there wealth with legitimacy.

Dealing with ill gotten gains would be popular. But Tadic's solution, is how shall we say, a cop out.

I could go into detail why it is, but given how much wealth the wealthiest Serbs have and the standard of living here I can say one thing: "A couple of measly infrastructure projects will not give any ill-gotten money legitimacy in my eyes."

The real point is the difference between a leader who is willing to say no to his advisors and to occasionally ignore what is currently popular.
This is the department where Tadic is lacking.
(bganon, 4 April 2011 23:31)
--
I wouldn't say Tadic is lacking there. He has done some unpopular things but it surrounds the Kosovo and EU policy. Essentially, Tadic wants to make the EU/US happy instead of focusing on the Serbian people.

With the "Serbia has no alternative to EU" policy, Tadic has arrested and continues to seek remaining Hague indictees and he has remained silent as control over Kosovo erodes. He has been a bit limp in respect to Kosovo and that isn't popular. This is where Jeremic gets a few extra points.

Serbia's problem, however, is economic and that's where we lack real leadership. We have flawed tax and customs laws, which force people into the black market and scares away business. There is too much corruption in government and they tend to look after themselves and big business while neglecting the rest. We need to focus on more infrastructure projects and revise our economic model. We have currency sovereignty so why not use it instead of getting euro/dollar loans? The list goes on...

Serbia, its development and its economy should be the priority for our politicians.
(Yaroslav, 4 April 2011 21:29)

Yaroslav,

I agree with your opinion that the economy matters and with a previous poster that the country is somewhat rudderless, drifting with no sense of direction. I dont think that is down entirely to Tadic, I think it is a combination of issues that the country is facing, economy and Kosovo. Serbia's geo political position (house in the middle of the road) is both a curse and a blessing. We should harness it for our maximum benefit but one which should not hurt Serbia. However I do believe that there should be a greater focus on the economy and jobs. For those of us living in Serbia, this is the biggest issue. Let us be honest, we are hurting. Tadic should take the bull by the horns and make some hard decisions. Serbia needs reform but not at the expense of ordinary people.

I personally believe that it does not matter if the man or woman who leads Serbia is a Serb, Croat, Hungarian, Bosniak. All he/she nees to do is act in the interest of all of us irrespective of nationality and provide the country with 1) jobs which should be the main priority and 2) Kosovo. Playing the nationalist card and pandeering to the whims of the diaspora living in Canada, US or Serbs in RS will not put food on our tables. Serbia is not just inhabited by Serbs. All ethnic groups in our country are suffering because of the economy. Yes we should continue on finding a solution to Kosovo but we need a solution for our future and our children's future otherwise there will be nobody left only very young and very old. I am 33, I was born in Serbia, I live here in Serbia, i work here in Serbia and I want to feel that I have a future in Serbia. I don't want to uproot and join the rest of my relatives in Slovenia or my Chinese girlfriend who is going back to Shanghai next year - that is another issue ;). My parents and cousins are in Serbia, my siblings are also here as are my good neighbours and friends.

We need direction and leadership and I dont care if it comes from a Jovan or Josip.