The foreign policy programme of Serbia’s student movement, which won the parliamentary elections and removed Aleksandar Vučić from power, could fuel new tensions in the Balkans, particularly over Kosovo.
This is the assessment of German journalist Michael Martens in an analysis published by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ).
According to Martens, despite the student movement’s historic electoral victory, its foreign policy positions largely follow Vučić’s nationalist approach.
The movement’s programme rejects Kosovo’s independence and pledges to prevent its membership in international organisations. It also questions the 2023 EU-mediated agreement aimed at normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
Martens argues that the movement’s stated intention to maintain Kosovo as part of Serbia raises serious concerns about regional stability. He warns that attempts to exercise authority over Kosovo without an agreement with its government could lead to conflict.
The analysis also highlights the movement’s plans to maintain traditional ties with Russia, oppose sanctions against Moscow and expand Serbia’s strategic partnership with China.
Martens further notes that while the movement has expressed solidarity with Palestinians and criticised Israel’s policies in Gaza, it has remained silent on the Srebrenica genocide.
The German journalist concludes that implementing such a foreign policy programme could provoke opposition not only in Kosovo but also in Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Michael Martens
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