• by IPS Correspondents (belgrade)
• Tuesday, November 15, 1994
• Inter Press Service

BELGRADE, Nov 15 (IPS) - The hottest-selling book in Serbia and Montenegro today reveals what the opposition is all about in former Yugoslavia, but critics say it is time for a book on the ruling party instead.

In the 'Secret Life of a Serbian Opposition', journalist and novelist Nenad Stefanovic attempts to explain the failure of opposition parties to seize power in three subsequent elections since the break up of the old Yugoslavia. As Stefanovic himself was involved in opposition activities, the book contains a good deal of detail and inside analysis.

After its launch last month, 'The Secret Life' quickly became a bestseller and a source of lively discussion in all political parties. According to some opposition politicos, the book takes the wrong approach -- even from the title.

"I am afraid that the Serbian opposition never had any secret life, since all our confidential agreements before the 1992 and 1993 elections were revealed in the press," commented Aleksandar Cotric from the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO).

Mirko Petrovic from the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) agreed: "We need a book about the secret life of the Serbian authorities first!

"While the affairs of opposition parties are open to the public and press, all developments inside the ruling Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) - much more important to our destiny - are completely unknown," he said.

Both Cotric and Petrovic believe the authorities actively try to undermine opposition parties from the inside by hiring so-called "moles".

"It looks as if many members of the opposition were actually working for the government (during the 1992 and 1993 elections)," said Cotric.

Some recent events on both local and federal level seem to support the opposition's accusation.

The Belgrade's community of Vozdovac is a good example. Like several other municipalities in Belgrade and in Serbia, the opposition won the 1993 local elections, achieved a majority in the local parliament and was entitled to nominate its representative for president.

But a few weeks ago three members representing the opposition in Vozdovac to join the SPS. This was enough to rearrange the whole composition of the local chamber, giving the socialist party a small majority.

The new parliament immediately elected a new president, from the socialist party. (MORE)

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© Inter Press Service (2014) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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