April 17, ZOOM
In the year of global elections, the developments in Serbia offer valuable lessons for protecting the civic space and democracy in the region and beyond.
The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) and Civic Initiatives cordially invite you to our online discussion on Citizen Mobilization Amid Election Irregularities in Serbia, scheduled for April 17th at 11 am CET via Zoom.
Although Serbia’s vibrant civil society has been under pressure for years now, recent concerns over manipulated elections have intensified civic activism and increased advocacy at an international level. Some of these activities seem to have yielded results, but they also may have triggered more attacks on the country’s democracy-seeking and pro-European-oriented civil society.
The elections, held on December 17, 2023, took place amidst heightened tensions and concerns over electoral integrity. Following reports of vote irregularities and widespread proofs of election theft, massive citizen mobilization occurred. Serbian students were at the forefront of those mobilizations, bringing the discussions to Brussels. Their proactive engagement led to the subsequent adoption of the European Parliament’s resolution calling for an investigation into election irregularities, reflecting a growing emphasis on transparency and accountability in electoral processes. The resolution demonstrates a compelling example of effective mobilization and advocacy on an international level, underscoring the potential for civil society to influence decision-making processes and promote democratic values on a global scale.
The Serbian government’s response has been marked by smear campaigns, attacks, and efforts to stigmatize the civil society activists who advocate for international scrutiny of the elections. A strong, anti-European rhetoric, notably against the European Parliament’s resolution calling for an investigation into electoral, is also present. Prime Minister Ana Brnabić rejected the resolution as an attack on Serbian sovereignty. President Aleksandar Vučić’s claims of a 10% drop in the support for Serbia’s EU membership highlight the political implications.
The event aims at both unpacking and learning from the positive and negative aspects of the recent events in Serbia. It will provide an opportunity to first discuss the factors and actions that led to successful citizen mobilization and advocacy efforts, resulting in international recognition and impact. Second, the event will unpack the backlash and the negative trends to anticipate and prepare for potential repercussions stemming from the developments.
Please register in advance HERE to receive your personalized Zoom invitation link.
Your valuable insights are crucial to this conversation.
AGENDA
11:00 – 11:15 Regional State of Play: What is shrinking the civic space in the Balkans?
-Biljana Spasovska, BCSDN
11:15 – 11:30 Three Freedoms Under the Magnifying Class in time of elections
– Alma Mustajbasic, Civic Initiatives
11:30 – 12:15 All the faces and phases of civil resilience: Successes and Consequence
– Emilija Milenkovic, Student and activist of Borba
– Robert Kozma, Green Left Front
– Ivan Bjelic, Activist, SviĆe initiative
– Marko Živković, Dokle više and Ferka Campaigns, Civic Initiatives
12:15 – 12:45 Open floor discussion and Q&A
Please find the full concept note and agenda for the event HERE.
We count on your participation!