Fukuyama to N1: Student movement is important change in Serbia

Fukuyama said the fact that the student protests happened makes a huge difference. He said that Serbia did not have a student movement 5 years ago just traditional political parties and resistance to the regime from civil society and added that the student movement is a good and important change. He recalled the support students got in the villages they marched through unlike other countries with populist regimes where the divisions between people in urban and rural areas is much greater.

He said the Serbia’s political future is more uncertain than ever and that he does not dare predict the outcome of the current situation in Serbia but added that the student movement brought good, important changes to the country. According to him, the international community should oversee any future elections in Serbia much more closely than before.

Fukuyama said he signed the petition in support of Serbian students with other American academics after carefully watching the situation in the country. He said the students organized themselves wisely and was glad to lend his support to Serbians who want to promote democracy.

According to him, great international pressure, especially from the European Union and Washington, would push President Aleksandar Vucic in some direction but that everyone is preoccupied with other things at present. He does not think the Trump administration would be inclined to support the students and added that most Americans have no idea about the student protests. Fukuyama does not think that Trump is getting good information about the situation in Serbia.

He said civil society should remain active because its support could increase the pressure on the regime. Fukuyama believes that violence is not an option for as long as Serbia wants to join the EU but warned that there is a potential for violence especially with leaders like Vucic who have deep authoritarian instincts and won’t relinquish power. He warned of a catastrophe if violence erupts.

Fukuyama said changes won’t come without a change of regime adding that voters have to turn out at elections. According to him, the courage of the students obliges all outside players to make sure the elections are not manipulated as the previous elections were. He added that the EU certainly has the capacities to oversee elections with help from the US. He added that the EU can exert influence through subsidies to member states but warned that the EU did not do a good job when it comes to Viktor Orban in Hungary.