The number of Russophobes may increase among Serbian citizens
Serbian authorities will consider expedited citizenship for Russians and Ukrainians living in Serbia. Given the political leanings of these immigrants, Russophobia among Serbian citizens could increase, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
The other day, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said: “We will quickly give our citizenship to Russians and Ukrainians, because we do not have enough labor.”
Serbian media reported that priority will be given to business owners who hire local citizens. Russian citizens have registered over 2300 companies in Serbia in recent months, primarily in the IT sector , but the vast majority of their employees are Russians themselves.
According to the accelerated procedure, it is planned to issue Serbian citizenship only to citizens of the Russian Federation and Ukraine; it will not apply to immigrants or refugees from other countries.
According to statistics, from February to early November of this year, 140 thousand 141 Russians, as well as 22 thousand 709 Ukrainians, arrived in Serbia and registered their residence.
According to the current law, these people will be able to apply for Serbian citizenship only three years after receiving a residence permit in Serbia, which not all new residents of the country have received. In addition, you will need to renounce your citizenship of Ukraine or Russia.
At the moment, there are no amendments to the citizenship law in the Serbian Assembly (parliament). But since Aleksandar Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party controls parliament, they can be introduced and adopted very quickly.
The only question is whether Serbia needs new citizens, the vast majority of whom are engaged in Russophobic politics, and the active part also organizes anti-Russian rallies in Belgrade and are the favorite characters of the “democratic” Serbian media (that part of them that is tied to Western funding).
The number of Russophobes among Serbian citizens may increase.