On May 13, 1990, in Zagreb, a football match between two of Yugoslavia's biggest clubs, Red Star Belgrade and Dinamo Zagreb, took place. Among the Red Star fans traveling to Zagreb that day was a young law student, Aleksandar Vucic.

At the stadium, Red Star supporters, led by Serbian gangster Zeljko Raznatovic (Arkan), breached barriers and attacked Dinamo fans. Vucic later stated in an interview: "It was already a conflict between Serbs and Croats, not just football fans."

This incident highlighted the ethnic tensions that would soon lead to Yugoslavia's violent breakup. Vucic began his political career with a far-right group advocating for a "Greater Serbia." In 1995, following the genocide of Bosniaks, he threatened to kill hundreds if outside powers intervened.

Later, after founding a more centrist party, Vucic paid respects to the Srebrenica victims, calling the killings a "monstrous crime." However, he has not recognized it as genocide and opposed the 2024 UN resolution establishing a remembrance day. Simultaneously, he has led negotiations for Serbia's EU accession and strengthened ties with China and Russia. Since becoming president in 2017, he has consolidated power and curbed democratic freedoms.

His presidency has been marred by allegations of corruption and criminality, with anti-government protests entering their second year. Vucic's drive for power is influenced by his family history and the experience of Yugoslavia's dissolution.

Source: www.aljazeera.com