Serbia is seriously considering joining the BRICS, a movement that is gaining popularity among the population and its leaders. This strategic shift complements the traditional European path and could be decided by referendum in the coming years.
A credible alternative to the EU
- The ruling parties believe that the BRICS now represent a tangible option, offering a choice between an alliance with the West or a new global cooperation.
- This orientation also responds to fatigue with the conditions for EU membership, perceived as excessive and restrictive.
Emerging parliamentary momentum
- An informal group dedicated to cooperation with the BRICS has recently been created within the Parliament, with cross-party stakeholders.
- These developments reflect a desire to open up alternatives to the single European perspective to public debate.
Opportunities and Threats for Serbia
Opportunities:
- Economic Diversification: Membership in the BRICS could increase access to the markets of Russia, China, India, and other emerging nations.
- Political Sovereignty: By relying on a bloc less prescriptive than the EU, Serbia hopes to preserve diplomatic and commercial room for maneuver.
Threats:
- Isolation by the West: A symbolic break with the European perspective could cause tensions with the EU and its allies.
- Institutional Blockade: The BRICS have not yet stabilized their enlargement process, making rapid and formal membership uncertain.
Conclusion
Serbia is exploring a new path: joining the BRICS as an alternative or complement to Europe. This strategy involves a societal choice that could be subject to a referendum. While it opens up interesting economic and diplomatic opportunities, it also carries the risk of a major strategic shift.
