Political changes in Hungary could offer valuable lessons for Serbia, as the country prepares for a new government following an election victory by the Student List. A Serbian news portal has drawn parallels between the two countries, highlighting efforts to overhaul public media, investigate the previous administration and reform state institutions.
In an analysis published on Friday, Serbian news outlet Nova.rs argued that Hungary’s experience over the past six months also shows the challenges that Serbia’s incoming political forces could face.
Public media faces major shake-ups in both countries
Nova.rs identified the transformation of public service broadcasting as one of the most striking similarities.
In Hungary, news broadcasting on M1 was suspended on 7 July, Hirado.hu stopped operating, and Kossuth Radio switched to music programming. Viewers and listeners were greeted with a message apologising for the previous operation of the public media.
The revamped M1 news service returned on 20 August, with opposition parties’ positions already featuring in its very first broadcast.
Serbia has also seen major personnel changes in its public media. Manja Grčić, director-general of Serbian public broadcaster RTS, resigned on the third day after the election. Her departure had been demanded by the Student List, as well as some public media employees and trade union representatives. Before stepping down, she had also dismissed Bojana Mladenović, editor-in-chief of news programmes.
Calls for a review of previous reporting practices have also emerged at Radio Television of Vojvodina. A group of employees said on Monday that the broadcaster owed viewers an apology for years of one-sided coverage, insufficient criticism of those in power and the suppression of certain issues. On Friday, the institution’s director-general, Goran Karadžić, also resigned.
Investigating public spending and previous government deals
Another area of common ground is the scrutiny of public money and state contracts. Nova.rs referred to a Telex article examining the first 100 days of Hungary’s new government. According to the report, the cabinet ordered reviews of ministries and state-owned companies, suspended several contracts and payments, and filed criminal complaints.
Among the cases mentioned were matters involving a concession agreement for a section of the M6 motorway and the operations of Eximbank.
Serbia’s incoming political forces have also promised similar measures. In an interview with weekly magazine NIN, published on Thursday, academician Radomir Šačić, a candidate on the Student List, outlined plans to reorganise state operations, introduce professional standards into public administration and make contracts publicly accessible.
He also pledged to freeze assets suspected of having been acquired illegally and confiscate them once the relevant legal proceedings had concluded.
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Authorities move to protect official documents
The preservation of official records has already become an issue ahead of the transfer of power in Serbia.
On Thursday, Serbian Chief Public Prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac instructed heads of prosecution offices to work with the police to prevent the destruction of official documents. She cited reports that records were allegedly being destroyed in state institutions and other organisations.
EU relations and the rule of law remain key challenges
Nova.rs also highlighted the restoration of relations with European institutions as an important part of Hungary’s political changes, particularly negotiations over EU funding that had previously been withheld.
In Serbia, European Council President António Costa identified the rule of law, the fight against corruption and press freedom as central areas for reform on the country’s path towards EU integration. He made the remarks on Tuesday following a conversation with Ilija Srđanović, leader of the Student List.
However, the Serbian outlet warned that Hungary’s experience shows that winning an election is only the beginning. Transforming an institutional system built up under a previous administration is a much longer and more complicated task.
