Breaking Out of the Loop

Dear Ilir,

In my previous letter, I wondered whether we had missed our moment to break out of the loop. At the ballot box, the citizens of Serbia gave a better answer than I had dared to hope for after so many disappointments.

The victory of the Students’ List has brought enormous relief, and something we had long been missing: the belief that our future is once again in our own hands. That belief now has a decisive electoral result behind it.

The first reports of steps to hold people accountable offer hope that the era of impunity is ending. After so much humiliation, violence and lawlessness, Serbia also deserves credit for its restraint towards those who poisoned, oppressed and robbed it. We owe them civilised treatment out of respect for our own principles and this country’s dignity. And everyone now taking up high office would do well to remember: holding office does not exempt anyone from accountability before the law, either during their term or afterwards.

Still, making arrests will be the easier part. A police force accustomed to taking its cue from political power is quick to recognise when that power shifts. Its readiness to act swiftly today makes the question of why it failed to act yesterday all the more uncomfortable. For prosecutors, the question is sharper still – both their powers and their responsibility for the lawlessness in this country are immense!

The machinery of the state has been profoundly damaged. Institutions have lost expertise and people, and in some cases even their sense of purpose. Those that should have curbed arbitrary power became instruments for exercising it. This went on for too long for its consequences to be remedied simply by replacing the people in charge. It went on for too long not to leave deep scars – so deep that, in some cases, building institutions anew would be better and easier than trying to rebuild them on thoroughly poisoned foundations.

The state will not recover simply because some people go to prison, but establishing their responsibility is an essential first step. What follows will be painstaking work, at a pace unlikely to satisfy the public. That impatience is understandable. Those in power will have to live with it, explain what they are doing and answer for what they fail to do. For too long, citizens have lived in fear of those who govern them. It is time for those who govern to answer to the citizens.

I am not writing this to draw up a list of tasks for the winners. I welcome this victory and think about what it has given us the chance to build. Much of that will take longer than we would like. There will be mistakes; they are inevitable. Knowing this does not diminish my optimism today. It gives it seriousness.

And I am thinking of you, too, and of our neighbours.

I would like the change in Serbia to bring a sense of relief across the region as well. For words from Belgrade to be heard without people searching for a hidden threat, and for its actions to build trust. For our neighbours to be able to count on a well-intentioned, predictable Serbia. Not all our disagreements will disappear, but we can ensure that people cease to be held hostage to them.

I would particularly like Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo to feel that change. To have more reason to build their lives, and less reason to scrutinise every political statement, wondering what might be coming their way this time.

I feel much the same about Europe. Serbia has been, is and will remain a European country. Its citizens won this victory by demanding accountability, freedom and the rule of law. In doing so, they have given renewed strength to the European idea at a time when, even within Europe itself, it is often reduced to calculation. In the faces of our young people, Europe can recognise the best of itself. I would like it to see Serbia in that light, too.

In its dealings with east and west, north and south, I hope for a Serbia whose word can once again be taken seriously. One that helps solve problems and consistently upholds international law. One that pursues its interests and accepts that others pursue theirs. Where ambassadors are respected guests and partners, not viceroys – wherever they come from.

I know how often we have placed our hopes in a new beginning. I believe that this time we have more grounds for hope than ever before.

I do not know how far this change will take us. But I do know, dear Ilir, that these past few days, for the first time in many years, I could have stood in the middle of Vienna’s main square and proudly called out: “I am from Serbia!” I believe many people from our part of the world, including Albanians, would have come over to congratulate me. In fact, people have!

It is a wonderful feeling. Thank you, students!

Yours sincerely,

Saša