Citizens versus politicians: 5 October 2000 and the construction of a post-Milosevic Serbia

Abstract

Three years afterwards, the political significance of the events of October 5,2000 in Serbia, when massive protests forced S. Milosevic to step down, is examined. Was this date historical in that it shows evidence of, and is a factor in, more democracy and tolerance in Serbian politics? To answer this crucial question, empirical data about how the population interpreted the events of October 5 have been assessed. Identification of several "lessons" collectively learned by Serbians during the 1990s as well as the emergent political culture are described. The population's normative expectations are then compared with actual political developments in Serbia since 2000, in particular the break-up of the original anti-Milosevic coalition, the assassination of Prime Minister Djindjic and the relative victory of ultranationalists in the December 2003 elections. The "constitutional chance" granted by the events of October 5 has largely been missed, owing to the irresponsibility of major politicians during the post-Milosevic period. Nonetheless, traces of new political attitudes might subsist in the Serbian polity.