Çaçiland Criticism in Serbia: Workers Poured into the Streets Ahead of President Vuçiç's Southern Visit

The citizens' association "United for the South" in southern Serbia harshly criticized the approximate and showy works displayed ahead of President Aleksandar Vuçiç's regional visit. In the statement made by the civil society organization, it is emphasized that villages left to their fate for years are suddenly turned into a holiday setting solely because of the president's arrival. It was recalled that in the village of Pertate near Lebana, an ox was roasted for a large event planned to be attended by the president, but Vuçiç did not attend that event. The association claims that because there is no concrete development the president can boast about in the southern region, one of the poorest parts of Serbia, he is hesitant about this visit. Now, it is stated that a similar show is being prepared to be staged in the village of Gornje Sinkovce near Leskovac.

It was reported that with the approaching dates of the president's visit to the village of Gornje Sinkovce, the streets suddenly turned into an area filled with workers, machinery, and intense activity. In a village that has been waiting for normal living conditions for years, fences are painted overnight, potholes are filled, asphalt is poured on some sections of the road, and new road lines are drawn. Additionally, public spaces are being arranged, gazebos are set up, and the village is suddenly attempted to be presented as an "example of development." However, the claims that the reason for initiating the work in the region is the needs of the local people are explicitly rejected by the workers operating in the area. The workers frankly admit that all these preparations are made solely to host the president.

The association "United for the South" states that if the current government truly had a concern for southern Serbia and Gornje Sinkovce, these roads would have been repaired before the cameras arrived. The civil society organization argues that villages should be developed year-round, youth migration in search of a better life should be prevented, and regional inequalities should be eliminated. However, in reality, it is noted that painting fences, washing, or creping streets for a single day does not reflect the bitter reality of southern Serbia. It is pointed out that structural problems such as the rapid migration of the youth population from the region, the closure of factories, and the emptying of villages have remained unresolved for years. It is expressed that many basic needs, from healthcare services to infrastructure, are left waiting unsolved, and citizens' problems are only brought to the agenda while a decor is created for television broadcasts.

It is noted that in the last ten years alone, a large number of people from the Leskovac region have been forced to leave these lands. The association claims that this mass migration is not a coincidence, but rather the result of a governance approach that has been dealing with marketing and image policies for years. It is argued that the government settles for appearances instead of creating the real economic and social conditions that would keep people in their own lands. It is suggested that during such state visits, the real residents of the village are usually left in the background, and the streets are filled with party supporters or people brought in from elsewhere. Thus, it is claimed that an image of a "public" enthusiastically welcoming the president is reflected on the cameras, while the real troubles of the local people remain behind the scenes. The association's statement emphasizes that there is no objection to the arrangement of the village of Gornje Sinkovce, and that the main problem is that this correction is only made when the president arrives. Although the streets are cleaned and polished for a day, it is noted that no steps are taken regarding the chronic problems the public has been facing for years. This situation offers a critical perspective on the populist and showmanship tools used by political elites in Serbia to maintain power and generate public support. The statement concludes by describing the country, where all these artificial and temporary arrangements take place, as "Çaçiland" in a sarcastic tone. This example in southern Serbia reveals the growing reaction of civil society against regional inequalities, infrastructure inadequacies in rural areas, and political shows staged during election or visit periods.