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Serbian Patriotic Alliance
Српски патриотски савез
AbbreviationSPAS
PresidentAleksandar Šapić
Founded21 July 2018 (2018-07-21)
Dissolved26 May 2021 (2021-05-26)
Merged intoSerbian Progressive Party
HeadquartersBulevar Milutina Milankovića 120b, Belgrade
Youth wingYouth Network
Women's wingWomen's Network
Ideology
Political positionRight-wing
Colours  Blue
Website
patriote.rs (archived)

The Serbian Patriotic Alliance (Serbian: Српски патриотски савез, romanized: Srpski patriotski savez, abbr. SPAS; lit. 'salvation') was a right-wing populist political party in Serbia. It was led by Aleksandar Šapić, the president of the New Belgrade municipality.

The legal predecessor of SPAS was the Movement of United Local Self-Governments (PULS), founded in 2010. PULS took part in several right-wing coalitions during its existence. Shortly after the 2018 Belgrade City Assembly election, it merged with the civic group "Aleksandar Šapić – Mayor" to form SPAS. It later participated in the 2020 parliamentary election, winning 3.83% of the popular vote and 11 seats in the National Assembly. SPAS served as a part of the Serbian Progressive Party-led government until its dissolution. In early May 2021, SNS and SPAS began negotiating about SPAS merging into the Serbian Progressive Party, and on 26 May it was announced to the public that the party had been dissolved. It was officially merged into the SNS three days later.

History

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The party's legal predecessor was founded in 2010 under the name of Movement of United Local Self-Governments (PULS), and it represented a local civic group from Kraljevo which was formed out of many local parties and movements.[1][2] After the local government reshuffle, they became a part of the majority that governed the municipality.[2] In early 2015, PULS became a part of the right-wing "Patriotic Bloc" coalition that was led by Dveri and the Democratic Party of Serbia.[3] PULS left the coalition before the 2016 Serbian parliamentary election.[4]

Formation

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Aleksandar Šapić was the president of SPAS

One of the candidates in the 2018 Belgrade City Assembly election was Aleksandar Šapić, the long-time president of the New Belgrade municipality and a former water polo player, who formed a citizen's group (grupa građana) for the election. Šapić formally announced that his coalition would cooperate with government and opposition parties.[5] Šapić, however, opposed the unification of the opposition into one election coalition for the Belgrade City Assembly election.[6] His group received 9% of the popular vote and 12 seats in the City Assembly.[7] Shortly after the election, Šapić and senior leaders of PULS announced the reformation of PULS under the name of Serbian Patriotic Alliance (SPAS).[1][8][9] This change was done without the participation of the president of PULS.[9]

Activities

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In August 2018, Šapić said that one of the party's principles would be to run independently in future elections, without participating in pre-election coalitions.[10] However, in late 2019, SPAS tried to form a local coalition with Healthy Serbia to participate in future local elections;[11] in early January 2020, Šapić changed his mind and coalition negotiations came to a halt.[12] Prior to this, Together for Šumadija had also joined the coalition talks in mid-January.[13]

SPAS previously declared itself as an opponent to the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) government and opposed election cooperation with opposition parties, going as far to reject joining the major opposition Alliance for Serbia coalition.[14][15][16] SPAS successfully filed their ballot under the name "Aleksandar Šapić – Victory for Serbia" to participate in the 2020 parliamentary election and it was accepted by RIK on 12 March.[17] Shortly before the election, Šapić was interviewed by Južne vesti and rejected the speculation of becoming a subject to the ruling SNS.[18] SPAS placed third and won 3.9% of the popular vote and 11 seats in the National Assembly of Serbia.[19] Šapić negotiated with SNS after the elections, and accepted to join the new government in October 2020.[20][21] Ratko Dmitrović, nominated by SPAS, became the new minister of family welfare and demography.[22] Vladan Glišić, also elected on behalf of SPAS, left the party and served as an independent due to joining the government.[23]

In early October 2020, elections were held in New Belgrade in which Šapić's SPAS won the most seats; Šapić was re-elected president of New Belgrade.[24] Five members of the local city assembly of Kragujevac, led by Veroljub Stevanović, defected from the Healthy Serbia–Together for Šumadija coalition to join SPAS in late November 2020.[25] In April 2021, SPAS participated in the interparty dialogues on electoral conditions.[26] They declined to participate in talks on electoral conditions with European Parliament representatives.[27]

On 5 May 2021, Aleksandar Vučić, the president of Serbia and the leader of SNS, announced that he submitted a proposal to the presidency of the SNS, which was unanimously accepted, to form a working group that would start negotiations with SPAS and its leader Šapić about the unification of the two parties.[28][29] On the same day, Šapić accepted Vučić's proposal.[30] A meeting between Vučić and Šapić including high-party officials was held on 10 May.[31] On 26 May, Šapić announced that SPAS was dissolved after the approval of the main board.[32] On 29 May, at a SNS session, Šapić was elected vice-president of the party, and a declaration between SPAS and the SNS was also formulated.[33][34] On 7 June, it was announced that the former MPs of SPAS had formally joined For Our Children, the SNS parliamentary group.[35]

Ideology and platform

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SPAS was a conservative and right-wing populist party.[36][37] Journalists positioned SPAS as a right-wing party,[38][39][40] with some also describing it as a centre-right and far-right party.[41][42] SPAS supported the accession of Serbia to the European Union.[43] Šapić personally opposed the recognition of Kosovo.[44] After the formation of the party, Šapić commented that "the party will not be pro-American, pro-Russian or pro-French" and that instead it will fight for its national interests.[1][45] During the 2020 election campaign, SPAS campaigned on promoting election transparency,[46] decentralisation,[47] independent judiciary,[48] and the expansion of the healthcare system.[49]

Organisation

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SPAS was led by Aleksandar Šapić.[8] The party had several bodies, including the assembly, main board, presidency, executive board, and political council. SPAS also had special organisational forms such as the Women's Network and Youth Network.[50]

List of presidents

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No. President Birth–Death Term start Term end
1 Aleksandar Šapić 1978– 21 July 2018 26 May 2021

Electoral performance

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Parliamentary elections

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National Assembly of Serbia
Year Leader Popular vote % of popular vote # # of seats Seat change Status Ref.
2020 Aleksandar Šapić 123,393 3.98% Increase 3rd
11 / 250
 Increase 11 Government [51]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Od PULS-a do SPAS-a: Šapić objasnio kako je došao do nove stranke" [From PULS to SPAS: Šapić explained how he came to the new party]. Telegraf (in Serbian). 24 July 2018. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Smena vlasti u Kraljevu" [Change of government in Kraljevo]. Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 23 March 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Uz DSS i Dveri sada i PULS i SLS" [Along with DSS and Dveri, now also PULS and SLS]. Blic (in Serbian). 30 January 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  4. ^ "DSS na izbore izlazi sa Dverima i Patriotskim blokom" [DSS is going to the elections with Dveri and the Patriotic Bloc]. N1 (in Serbian). 30 January 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Najpoželjnija mlada u BG - odgovor Šapića" [The most desirable bride in BG - Šapić's answer]. Mondo (in Serbian). 24 September 2017. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Šapić: Ne vidim razlog da se opozicija ujedini" [Šapić: I see no reason for the opposition to unite]. Danas (in Serbian). 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Konačni rezultati: SNS-u 44,99 odsto, lista oko Đilasa 18,93" [Final results: SNS 44.99 percent, list around Đilas 18.93]. N1 (in Serbian). 5 March 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Formiran Srpski patriotski savez – SPAS, vodi ga Šapić" [The Serbian Patriotic Association - SPAS was formed, led by Šapić]. N1 (in Serbian). 22 July 2018. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  9. ^ a b Miljković, M. D. (25 July 2018). "SPAS nastao od "Pulsa Srbije"" [SPAS created by "Pulse of Serbia"]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Šapić: SPAS na naredne izbore izlazi samostalno" [Šapić: SPAS will contest the next elections independently]. Danas (in Serbian). 13 August 2018. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Šapić i Stamatović doneli odluku o udruženom izlasku na lokalne izbore" [Šapić and Stamatović made a decision on joining together for the local elections]. Danas (in Serbian). 24 December 2019. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  12. ^ Radovanović, Z. (31 January 2020). "Koalicija propala zbog pritisaka vrha države?" [The coalition failed due to pressure from the top of the state?]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  13. ^ "Zajedno za Šumadiju se pridružila koaliciji SPAS-a i Zdrave Srbije" [Together for Šumadija joined the coalition of SPAS and Healthy Serbia]. Danas (in Serbian). 15 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Šapić: Među retkima sam koji od ove vlasti nisu dobili ništa" [Šapić: I am among the few who have not received anything from this government]. N1 (in Serbian). 13 August 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Šapić neće u Savez za Srbiju" [Šapić will not join the Alliance for Serbia]. Danas (in Serbian). 2 August 2018. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  16. ^ Stojanović, Marija (30 October 2018). "Šapić: Neki ljudi u opoziciji imaju selektivno pamćenje" [Šapić: Some people in the opposition have a selective memory]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  17. ^ "RIK proglasila izbornu listu "Aleksandar Šapić – Pobeda za Srbiju"" [RIK announced the election list "Aleksandar Šapić - Victory for Serbia"]. Danas (in Serbian). 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  18. ^ Stankov, A. (1 June 2020). "Šapić: Podanik nikad nikom nisam bio, pa neću ni SNS" [Šapić: I have never been a subject of anyone, so I will not be the SNS either]. Južne vesti (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Izbori 2020: SNS ubedljiva i na Kosovu, Šapić pobedio na Novom Beogradu" [2020 elections: SNS convincing in Kosovo as well, Šapić won in New Belgrade]. N1 (in Serbian). 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  20. ^ Aleksić, Tatjana (20 October 2020). "Nakon sastanka sa Brnabić, Šapić kaže da je zadovoljan" [After the meeting with Brnabić, Šapić says he is satisfied]. N1 (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  21. ^ Dragojlo, Saša (21 October 2020). "Vucic Announced New Elections Even Before New Government Constitution". Balkan Insight. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  22. ^ Stojanović, Milica (26 October 2020). "Serbia Creates 'Family Care' Ministry led by Conservative Ex-Journalist". Balkan Insight. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  23. ^ Milenković, Mirjana R. (24 July 2020). "Vladan Glišić: Razlike između mene i Šapića konceptualne prirode" [Vladan Glišić: The differences between me and Šapić are of a conceptual nature]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  24. ^ "Aleksandar Šapić treći put izabran za predsednika opštine Novi Beograd". Danas (in Serbian). 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  25. ^ Radovanović, Zoran (27 November 2020). "Stevanovićevi odbornici prebegli u SPAS" [Stevanović's councillors defected to SPAS]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  26. ^ Popović, A. (28 April 2021). "Vučić na prvom međustranačkom dijalogu o izbornim uslovima" [Vučić at the first inter-party dialogue on election conditions]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  27. ^ Valtner, Lidija (20 April 2021). "Posle SNS i SPS, na razgovore idu SVM i PUPS" [After SNS and SPS, SVM and PUPS go to the talks]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Vučić saopštio: Ujediniće se SNS i Šapićev SPAS" [Vučić announced: SNS and Šapić's SPAS will unite]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 5 May 2021. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Vučić pozvao Šapića na ujedinjenje" [Vučić invited Šapić to unite]. Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 5 May 2021. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Šapić: Do kraja meseca SPAS i SNS deo zajedničke organizacije, najviše mogu da pružim na lokalu" [Šapić: Until the end of the month, SPAS and SNS are part of a joint organization, the most I can provide at the bar]. Danas (in Serbian). 7 May 2021. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  31. ^ "The meeting between Vučić and Šapić is over; "Until the end of May"". B92. 10 May 2021. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  32. ^ Popović, Aleksandra (26 May 2021). "SPAS usvojio predlog Šapića o uključenju u SNS" [SPAS adopted Šapić's proposal to join SNS]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  33. ^ "SPAS zvanično pristupio SNS, Šapić izabran za potpredsednika Glavnog odbora" [SPAS officially joined SNS, Šapić was elected vice president of the Main Board]. N1 (in Serbian). 29 May 2021. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  34. ^ "Deklaracija SPAS-a i SNS" [Declaration of SPAS and SNS]. N1 (in Serbian). 29 May 2021. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  35. ^ "Skupština Srbije od danas ima jednu poslaničku grupu manje" [As of today, the Serbian Parliament has one less parliamentary group]. N1 (in Serbian). 7 June 2021. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  36. ^ "Wahl im Schatten Vucics" [Election in the shadow of Vucic]. ORF (in German). 21 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  37. ^ Carloni, Enrico; Paoletti, Diletta (2022). "Anti-Corruption Models and Experiences: The Case of the Western Balkans". Diritto e Società: 58. ISSN 0391-7428.
  38. ^ "OSCE Notes Limited Voter Choice As Serbian President's Party Heads For Landslide". Radio Free Europe. 21 June 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  39. ^ Stojanović, Boban; Casal Bértoa, Fernando (30 June 2020). "Serbia's ruling party just scored a landslide victory. Here's why the opposition boycotted the election". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  40. ^ Klačar, Bojan (16 July 2020). "Desnici više od dve trećine glasova" [Right-wing got more than two-thirds of the votes]. Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  41. ^ Vasović, Aleksandar (21 June 2020). "Ruling conservatives set to win Serbian parliamentary vote". Reuters. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  42. ^ Stojanović, Milica (3 August 2020). "Serbia's New Parliament Meets With Cabinet Still Unknown". Balkan Insight. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  43. ^ "Serbian parliament left without clear opposition as the ruling party wins partially boycotted elections". European Western Balkans. 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  44. ^ "Šapić: Ne bih priznao nezavisno Kosovo" [Šapić: I would not recognize an independent Kosovo]. Danas (in Serbian). 28 May 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  45. ^ "Šapić: Neću u koalicije, SPAS nastao iz postojeće stranke" [Šapić: I will not join coalitions, SPAS was created from an existing party]. N1 (in Serbian). 23 July 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  46. ^ "Šapić: Uslovi bolji, ali nisu dovoljno dobri, kampanja će biti otvorenija" [Šapić: The conditions are better, but not good enough, the campaign will be more open]. Danas (in Serbian). 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  47. ^ "Šapić: Za razvoj lokalnih sredina neophodno decentralizovati višedecenijski sistem" [Šapić: For the development of local communities, it is necessary to decentralize the decades-old system]. Danas (in Serbian). 7 June 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  48. ^ "Šapić: Ako sudije i tužioci budu birani na izborima, pravosuđe će biti nezavisno" [Šapić: If judges and prosecutors are elected in elections, the judiciary will be independent]. N1 (in Serbian). 15 June 2020. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  49. ^ "Šapić: Ulaganje u zdravstveni sistem nikada nije previše" [Šapić: Investing in the health system is never too much]. N1 (in Serbian). 10 June 2020. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  50. ^ "Status Srpskog Patriotskog Saveza" [Statute of the Serbian Patriotic Alliance] (PDF). Serbian Patriotic Alliance (in Serbian). April 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  51. ^ Kovačević, Miladin (2020). Izbori za narodne poslanike Narodne skupštine Republike Srbije [Elections for Deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia] (PDF) (in Serbian). Belgrade: Republički zavod za statistiku. p. 9. ISBN 978-86-6161-193-3. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
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