The 'Alternative Right' in Contemporary Serbian Politics

Tolga Karpuz

Article Details

The 'Alternative Right' in Contemporary Serbian Politics

Authors:

Tolga Karpuz

Publisher:

Marmara University

Main Topics:

Avrupa Çalışmaları

Journal:

Marmara Üniversitesi Siyasal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.13 Issue Özel Sayı, pp.229-247

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355921

pISSN:

2147-6926

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Under Titos rule in Socialist Yugoslavia, Serbian nationalism had limited influence. After Titos death, however, it rose again and became dominant under Slobodan Milošević until the countrys 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 Rightsuch 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 Serbias foreign policy. Vučić and Republika Srpska leader Milorad Dodik gained support from far-right actors in the US and Europe. For instance, Hungarys Prime Minister Orbán blocked EU sanctions on Dodik, and Trumps key advisors supported Serbia in the Kosovo issue. These links show the global reach of the Alternative Right in Serbian politics today.

 Under Titos rule in Socialist Yugoslavia, Serbian nationalism had limited influence. After Titos death, however, it rose again and became dominant under Slobodan Milošević until the countrys 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 Rightsuch 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 Serbias foreign policy. Vučić and Republika Srpska leader Milorad Dodik gained support from far-right actors in the US and Europe. For instance, Hungarys Prime Minister Orbán blocked EU sanctions on Dodik, and Trumps key advisors supported Serbia in the Kosovo issue. These links show the global reach of the Alternative Right in Serbian politics today.

 Under Titos rule in Socialist Yugoslavia, Serbian nationalism had limited influence. After Titos death, however, it rose again and became dominant under Slobodan Milošević until the countrys 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 Rightsuch 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 Serbias foreign policy. Vučić and Republika Srpska leader Milorad Dodik gained support from far-right actors in the US and Europe. For instance, Hungarys Prime Minister Orbán blocked EU sanctions on Dodik, and Trumps key advisors supported Serbia in the Kosovo issue. These links show the global reach of the Alternative Right in Serbian politics today.

 Sosyalist Yugoslavyada Tito döneminde sınırlı etkiye sahip olan Sırp milliyetçiliği, Titonun ölümünden sonra yeniden yükselişe geçmiş ve Slobodan Miloševićin liderliğinde, Yugoslavyanın dağılma sürecine kadar baskın bir ideoloji hâline gelmiştir. İç savaşla birlikte Piskopos Nikolaj Velimirovićin 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 Sağa 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 İslama karşı Avrupanın 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 Avrupadaki Alternatif Sağ çevrelerden aldıkları destekle Kosova sorunu ve Bosnalı Sırpların Bosna Hersek devletinden ayrılma arayışlarında, 1990ların aksine Atlantik ittifakının Sırplara karşı yekpare hareket etmesine engel olmuşlardır. Macaristan Başbakanı Viktor Orbánın Avrupa Birliği ABnin Dodike uygulayacağı yaptırımları engellemesi ve ABD başkanı Donald Trumpın yakın ekibinin Kosova sorununda Sırplardan yana olan tavrı bu ulusötesi ilişkinin derinliğini göstermektedir.

Article Details

The 'Alternative Right' in Contemporary Serbian Politics

Authors:

Tolga Karpuz

Publisher:

Marmara University

Main Topics:

Avrupa Çalışmaları

Journal:

Marmara Üniversitesi Siyasal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.13 Issue Özel Sayı, pp.229-247

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355921

pISSN:

2147-6926

Serbian Nationalism

Alternative Right

Transnational Networks

Identity Politics

Far-Right MovementsSırp Milliyetçiliği

Alternatif Sağ

Ulusötesi Ağlar

Kimlik Siyaseti

Aşırı Sağ Hareketler

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Tolga Karpuz

Publisher: Marmara University

Main Topics: Avrupa Çalışmaları

Journal: Marmara Üniversitesi Siyasal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.13 Issue Özel Sayı, pp.229-247

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 7/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001355921

pISSN: 2147-6926

Issues

Authors:

Tolga Karpuz

Publisher:

Marmara University

Main Topics:

Avrupa Çalışmaları

Journal:

Marmara Üniversitesi Siyasal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.13 Issue Özel Sayı, pp.229-247

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355921

pISSN:

2147-6926