Ljiljana Smajlović, a prominent Serbian journalist, has accused the opposition and the Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability (CRTA) of manipulating public opinion through fabricated poll results as a pretext for anticipated electoral failures. In a recent interview, Smajlović argued that these actions are part of a broader strategy to incite civil unrest in Serbia ahead of the upcoming elections.
Smajlović criticized CRTA and its representative, Raša Nedeljkov, for allegedly publishing misleading poll results that show a significant advantage for the Studentska lista, a political group gaining traction among young voters. She suggested that these polls are designed to provide an excuse for the opposition’s potential poor performance in the elections. “They will have a hard time justifying their ‘research’ after the elections,” Smajlović stated, drawing parallels with instances in the United States where poll discrepancies were later explained as “social experiments.”
Furthermore, Smajlović accused the opposition of abandoning traditional political engagement with voters in favor of street protests. She claimed that the opposition’s reliance on public demonstrations is an attempt to force a change in government without going through the electoral process. She criticized this approach, suggesting that it is not a viable political strategy and instead leads to chaos and instability.
Smajlović also addressed the opposition’s consistent narrative that blames President Aleksandar Vučić for all of Serbia’s problems. She argued that this rhetoric persists even when Vučić complies with recommendations from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) or when the government takes steps to protect citizens. “Their main reasoning for over 10 years has been that nothing the government does is right,” she remarked, emphasizing that this perspective is both tiresome and potentially harmful.
In addition to her critique of the opposition’s tactics, Smajlović condemned a false news report by the media outlet N1 about a boy allegedly killed in Valjevo due to police brutality. She claimed that this misinformation was deliberately spread to provoke public outrage and violence. “It’s much harder to prove that something didn’t happen,” Smajlović said, criticizing N1 for not retracting the story or apologizing once the truth was revealed.
The accusations from Smajlović come at a time of heightened political tension in Serbia, with elections approaching and various groups vying for influence. The opposition in Serbia has historically faced challenges in gaining widespread public support, often resorting to protests as a means of political expression. This context adds complexity to the current political landscape, where accusations of manipulation and unrest are not new.
CRTA and other opposition figures have yet to publicly respond to Smajlović’s allegations. However, the claims highlight ongoing divisions within Serbian politics and the contentious atmosphere surrounding the upcoming elections. As the political climate intensifies, the role of media and public perception will likely continue to be pivotal factors in shaping the electoral outcomes.
