Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has initiated the formation of a new political movement, the “Movement for the People and the State,” in what analysts see as a strategic shift amid prolonged political turbulence.
The inaugural meeting of the movement’s founding committee took place on Saturday, with several members of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and university professors in attendance. Vučić called on “honorable citizens” to contribute their skills and knowledge to help Serbia “become the most successful in its history.”
Political analysts suggest the move comes as Vučić’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), in power for over a decade, faces mounting criticism and demands for reform.
“To soften the criticism, you need a serious overhaul — not just rebranding, but a deep reform with new faces and fresh content to establish new political legitimacy,” said Bojan Klačar, executive director of CESID, an independent election monitoring body.
Critics argue the initiative’s grassroots authenticity is questionable, given that it originates from the country’s most powerful political figure.
“If this were truly a social movement, it would have already emerged independently,” said Jelena Vasiljević, a senior researcher at the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory. “It’s hard to believe this is an authentic grassroots initiative when it’s orchestrated by the president himself.”
The rise of political movements has become increasingly common in Serbia and beyond, with declining public trust in traditional political parties cited as a key driver.
“Social movements have gained traction globally since the 2009 financial crisis and subsequent waves of social unrest,” Vasiljević added, noting they offer an alternative to conventional party politics.
Vučić’s new movement is expected to be formalized by Vidovdan, a Serbian national and religious holiday on June 28.
