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June 10. 2006.
NEZAVISNE NOVINE
BANJA LUKA
Crown Prince Alexander
II Karadjordjevic about the battle for the throne
By Divna Vidakoviæ
I WOULD BE KING OF
SERBIA
Reasons for monarchy are very simple: stability and
feel of being proud, chance to be great European nation
again. Best solution for the future in Europe is a
constitutional parliamentary monarchy that would be a
team player with everyone in Europe, and that includes
republics as well as the constitutional parliamentary
monarchies, which is a standard in European Union,
states His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II
Karadjordjevic.
Kingdom of Serbia is it fairy tale
or reality?
This is more than any fairy tale it
is a very serious viable solution for Serbia.
Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchies in the European
Union are very serious advanced democratic members such
as: United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, The
Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. We cannot afford to
continue the way we are and waste any more, time because
we are suffering domestically and internationally. All
our politicians would greatly benefit from a neutral
head of state. The prime minister and his cabinet would
run the country following democratic elections just like
in a republic. The almost daily bickering we all witness
would cease. Our image internally and externally would
be very much enhanced. The reality is that there are
only a few voices that are against this solution because
they do not realize that it would benefit everyone
regardless of their political association in fact they
would benefit from it too. Let’s face it the majority of
our citizens are for Constitutional Parliamentary
Monarchy because they want to live a normal life and are
fed up of the bickering and want Serbia to be a great
democracy, proud and stable.
Do you believe in the results of
the polling that gives only 15 % of supporters to the
monarchy?
No I don’t because I have experienced
polling in the west as an observer and seen how many
times it has been wrong. I must point out that polling
is an important political tool and should be used, but
one must be cautious. The polling indicators I have are
that even without a campaign and the current lack of
knowledge about Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy
over one third are in favour of it, one third are
neither for or against it and one third are more against
it. You must understand that that is pretty good since
there was vicious propaganda against monarchy in the
past even though Tito went out of the way to create
friendship and woo the European Monarchies and they even
came as guests and stayed at the Royal Palace. By the
way many of our people live in Constitutional
Parliamentary Monarchies and are positive about the
value it brings to a country and the democratic process.
How different Serbia is to the
other states with parliamentary monarchy?
First of all to be frank Serbia would
come alive as a great democracy and finally draw
domestic and internal respect even from republics.
Secondly, we would be normal like the other
Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchies who are all
proud and experiencing social and democratic success.
Aren’t we all fed up of Serbia suffering internally and
in Europe yet we blessed with super bright and hard
working people who are longing to have a normal life,
jobs and good social services.
What would change for Serbia and
especially citizens of Serbia if monarchy is restored?
Quite simply we would have stability
and feel proud once again of Serbia having a chance to
be a great European Nation. We have every chance to move
ahead and the best solution for our future in Europe is
Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy and a team player
with everyone in Europe and that includes both republics
and Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchies which is the
daily norm in the European Union.
Would you be the King of Serbia in
that case or you would abdicate in favour of one of your
sons?
I would be king just like in the
other Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchies and the
succession is primo genitura (first born). By the way we
have some good examples of constitutions to examine like
the one produced by Professor Pavle Nikolic and the
Spanish one. They must be included very much so in the
forthcoming constitution discussion plans. Please don’t
forget that the democratically elected government steers
the country and that the king is above politics,
respects all political parties and is not a member of
any political party. In addition Constitutional
Parliamentary enhance the democratic process, brings
stability, unity and continuity.
In one of Your interviews You
stated that restoration of the Crown to Serbia would
bring a lot of good for the country due to your
influential and important friends all around the world.
Did you use any of them since you live in Belgrade?
Of course my wife and I have worked
hard in promoting our country abroad to heads of state,
politicians, business people and friends. We have also
done the same with all visitors and heads of state that
stayed with us. I have brought major business to Serbia
and my wife has worked very hard with her humanitarian
work and foundation to help our people regardless of
religion or ethnic origin, we respect everyone.
How do you plan to persuade your
opponents that they are not right?
They must be put calmly at ease and
fell comfortable and not feel threatened at all.
Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy is friends with
everyone and does not take sides but rather defends
healthy democratic debate and views. Our politicians
need the meeting point to work out what is best for
Serbia and they implement whatever they decide through
the legislator (parliament) and democratic political
process.
Were you surprised with statements
of certain state officials after the results of
referendum in Montenegro that Serbia should restore the
monarchy?
Everyone is entitled in a democracy
to express themselves freely and fairly. However, I wish
to point out that Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy
is not exclusive to a single political party but rather
to all political parties that abide by democratic
process. This is the norm in all Constitutional
Parliamentary Monarchies like the ones I mentioned
earlier in this interview who are in the European Union
and to forget the other ones such as Norway, Canada,
Japan, Australia and New Zealand who are all
Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchies.
Serbs often killed their monarchs
and prime ministers in their history. Are you afraid of
your people?
No I love my people and my country
Serbia.
How did you picture Serbia during
the days there was no hope that you will return to the
motherland?
My hope was always to return and I
never thought it would become a reality. I was very
emotional coming home.
It is well known that you speak
several languages. How comes that Serbian language is
not so easy for you?
My Serbian has improved and I learn
something new everyday. I continue to learn and I am
proud that I can have a good conversation in Serbian.
Have you told to your children
since they were kids about their royal roots, connected
to one small country called Serbia?
Of course I have and they are proud
of their heritage and our homeland. They are determined
to get good working experience now after university
paying their way and they love coming back home for
holidays. They have many young friends and are also good
sportsmen. They love snowboarding in Kopaonik. Let’s
face it we must make a future for everyone and the young
generation. Serbia at peace with itself and proud of
itself is what we all need.
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