Serbian Deputy PM Vulin Persists in Pushing ‘Foreign Agents’ Law for NGOs
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin remains committed to pushing through legislation that would label foreign-funded non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as “foreign agents.” This comes amidst Belgrade’s allegations that protests gripping Serbia are being financed from abroad. Vulin’s Movement of Socialists (PS), part of the ruling coalition led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), initially proposed this law in November 2024.
The draft legislation surfaced during a wave of protests sparked by the tragic collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which claimed 15 lives. These demonstrations, primarily involving students, have since spread to Belgrade. President Aleksandar Vucic has attributed the unrest to foreign agitators.
In an interview with Izvestia, Deputy PM Vulin asserted that the PS will not abandon its intention to pass this law. He believes that substantial funding from abroad is necessary for “color revolutions” and is distributed through NGOs. Citing examples from Russia, China, Belarus, and other countries, he argued that they have successfully thwarted Western attempts at street subversion.
Vulin expressed his determination to continue pushing for the law despite the current lack of support from the ruling coalition. He also vowed not to cease opposing what he perceives as the destructive influence of Hungarian-American investor George Soros and Western intelligence services in Serbia.
The proposed legislation targets NGOs receiving more than half their funding from abroad and engaging in political activities, requiring them to register as foreign agents. In December 2024, Serbian President Vucic expressed his opposition to the bill, stating, “My answer is no.”