Socialists Divided on Joining Vucic’s New Movement

Toma Fila (BETAPHOTO/DRAGAN GOJIC/DS)

Socialist Party of Serbia official Toma Fila said on March 13 that his organization’s members are divided over whether or not to join President Aleksandar Vucic’s announced Movement for the People and the State because some of his fellow Socialists are concerned over their party’s ability to retain autonomy within such an alliance.

“The opinions are divided. One prominent member – it doesn’t matter who – said that we shouldn’t join. Others have said we should [join] but with caution,” Fila told Prva TV, adding that he is of the latter opinion and believes that his party should consider whether and how much entering Vucic’s movement would benefit them. Fila also said he’s aware that such a move could impact the Socialists’ standing with their supporters.

Commenting on the new Belgrade elections, Fila said that analysts have failed to address whether the vote was scheduled for June 2 rather than the earlier-announced date of April 28 to provide Vucic with more time to found his new organization.

“The movement needs to be formed. [It remains] to be seen what it will look like, [whether] parties will retain their individuality, whether there will be a single ticket or we will all enter [the election] separately. Perhaps [Vucic] needed more time to articulate what the movement will look like and who it will include,” Fila concluded.