The 'Alternative Right' in Contemporary Serbian Politics

Abstract

Under Tito’s rule in Socialist Yugoslavia, Serbian nationalism had limited influence. After Tito’s death, however, it rose again and became dominant under Slobodan Milošević until the country’s breakup. During the civil war, the traditional Serbian-Orthodox nationalist line, shaped by Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović, became central with its symbols and slogans. Modern Serbian nationalism, built on this legacy, draws not only on ethnic nationalism and Orthodox conservatism, but also incorporates key elements of the Alternative Right—such as anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-migrant sentiments, Islamophobia, defense of white European identity, and strong resistance to liberalism and the global order. One central theory is “The Great Replacement”, which claims white Europeans are being replaced by Muslims and migrants. This idea matches the older belief that Serbs are the "Guardians of Europe" against Islam. In this context, groups like Srpska Desnica, Dveri, Levijatan, and Narodne Patrole have grown stronger, helped by their ties to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and President Aleksandar Vučić. The Alternative Right has also shaped Serbia’s foreign policy. Vučić and Republika Srpska leader Milorad Dodik gained support from far-right actors in the US and Europe. For instance, Hungary’s Prime Minister Orbán blocked EU sanctions on Dodik, and Trump’s key advisors supported Serbia in the Kosovo issue. These links show the global reach of the Alternative Right in Serbian politics today.

Keywords

• Serbian Nationalism
• Alternative Right
• Transnational Networks
• Identity Politics
• Far-Right Movements

Günümüz Sırp Siyasetinde ‘Alternatif Sağ’

Abstract

Sosyalist Yugoslavya’da Tito döneminde sınırlı etkiye sahip olan Sırp milliyetçiliği, Tito’nun ölümünden sonra yeniden yükselişe geçmiş ve Slobodan Milošević’in liderliğinde, Yugoslavya’nın dağılma sürecine kadar baskın bir ideoloji hâline gelmiştir. İç savaşla birlikte Piskopos Nikolaj Velimirović’in çizdiği geleneksel Sırp-Ortodoks milliyetçi çizgisi, sembolleri ve sloganlarıyla milliyetçi söylemin merkezine yerleşmiştir. Bu miras üzerine inşa edilen günümüz Sırp milliyetçiliği ise etnik milliyetçilik ve Ortodoks Muhafazarlık kadar LGBTQ+ ve Göçmen karşıtlığı, İslam düşmanlığı, Beyaz Avrupalı kimliğin savunulması, küresel düzene ve liberalizme tepkiselliğe de dayanmaktadır. Alternatif Sağ’a özgü bu yeni unsurlar içerisinde Beyaz Avrupalıların Müslümanlar ve göçmenler tarafından yerinden edileceğine dair aşırı sağ bir teori olan “The Great Replacement” (Büyük Yer Değiştirme) teorisi, Sırp milliyetçiliğinin eskiden beri savunduğu “Sırpların İslam’a karşı Avrupa’nın bekçileri” olduğu savıyla da uyum sağlamıştır. Bu etkileşim içerisinde Sırbistan’ da arka arkaya kurulan Srpska Desnica, Dveri, Levijatan, Blood & Honour, Srpska Akcija ve Narodne Patrole gibi gruplar, iktidarda olan SNS (Sırp İlerleme Partisi) ve Sırbistan Cumhurbaşkanı Aleksandar Vučić ile kurdukları ilişki sayesinde etki alanlarını genişletmişlerdir. Alternatif Sağ düzlem, iç politikada olduğu kadar Sırp dış politikasına da belirli açılımlar sağlamıştır. Vučić ve Bosna Sırp Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanı Milorad Dodik, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri (ABD) ve Avrupa’daki Alternatif Sağ çevrelerden aldıkları destekle Kosova sorunu ve Bosnalı Sırpların Bosna Hersek devletinden ayrılma arayışlarında, 1990’ların aksine Atlantik ittifakının Sırplara karşı yekpare hareket etmesine engel olmuşlardır. Macaristan Başbakanı Viktor Orbán’ın Avrupa Birliği (AB)'nin Dodik’e uygulayacağı yaptırımları engellemesi ve ABD başkanı Donald Trump’ın yakın ekibinin Kosova sorununda Sırplardan yana olan tavrı bu ulusötesi ilişkinin derinliğini göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Sırp Milliyetçiliği
• Alternatif Sağ
• Ulusötesi Ağlar
• Kimlik Siyaseti
• Aşırı Sağ Hareketler

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