Interview with Serbia’s European Integration Minister
Nemanja Stavolić, Serbia’s European Integration Minister, discussed the perception of Western governments as “illiberal democracies” during a recent interview. He argues that this label arises from a focus on “woke” and “undemocratic liberalism,” rather than reflecting the genuine will of the populace.
Stavolić, who has held positions in the defense and foreign ministries in the Balkans, shared his thoughts on contemporary democratic issues with a Breitbart reporter.
In a recounting of a dinner conversation from his recent trip to Serbia, he commented that the liberal democratic framework established during the American Revolution and further developed through the 19th century has been systematically dismantled.
He clarified that while liberal democracies haven’t vanished, they have essentially “diverged.” Instead of being destroyed, the political system has branched into conflicting ideological directions.
According to Stavolić, one of these branches has been labeled “illiberal democracy.” This term, he suggests, was created to discredit nations whose leaders resist the principles of progressive liberalism. He pointed to ideas like “woke culture,” mass immigration, and climate change as philosophies promoted by Western governments.
Any nation that critiques this entrenched ideology, he feels, faces humiliation as an “illiberal democracy.” But, as he argues, while this form of democracy may seem “illiberal,” it still represents the true will of the people as expressed through fair elections—essentially fitting the definition of democracy.
Stavolić praised President Trump’s approach to governance, noting that he has adopted “common sense” policies and continues to do so more than ever.
He warned, however, about a more perilous alternative he calls “undemocratic liberalism,” which he believes is increasingly visible in the Western world, including Western Europe and the United States, particularly before Trump’s presidency shifted direction.
In his description, undemocratic liberalism reflects the imposition of progressive liberal values through unelected bodies, disregarding public sentiment. These institutions—like civil society organizations and various regulators—he views as tools wielded by “bad actors” to undermine democratic processes.
Stavolić attributes this issue to “self-justifying political elites” who impose their beliefs on ordinary citizens. He suggests that while elite dominance is not inherently negative, the challenge arises when these elites show disdain for the common people.
