SPANISH MODEL FOR SERBIA

My father never abdicated, I was born while he was king and I became the third person on the list of estate enemies, without any human rights in my country

By Dragan Vlahovic

Alexander II Karadjordjevic, son of King Peter II, lives in Serbia since 2001 with his wife Princes Katherine in the Old Palace built by his grandfather King Alexander I on Dedinje. There, they often welcome their guests that are sometimes confused how to address him: as a Crown Prince, Prince, or as a citizen that experienced deprivation of his Royal rights after the World War II from the new rulers. Although he often appears in public, he never gave an interview for “Politika”. After the Montenegro Referendum, he addressed the nation in (not so perfect) Serbian and announced that the best solution for Serbia would be constitutional parliamentary monarchy. That was the reason for this interview.

Your Highness, Serbia is at a historical crossroad of development and finding the right path into the future. What is your perception on our position and what solution do you find most prominent?

- We have great people and political talent, but what we suffer from is not working together and decisively for the common good of Serbia without somewhat shooting each other in the foot. It is fairly obvious to the very basic observer that our future must be in the European Union and that we cannot afford to be in disarray any more. We need stability and we must cut the constant political bickering and the back and forth between all political entities in our country. I say well done to the investors that have come and thank you very much, but I assure you that if we had improved political stability and the ability to complete tasks we would have had by now many more serious investors and been the envy of many countries. We need to create many jobs and thus fund social services like health care and pensions. The solution towards stability and success would be provided by Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy where the there are elections just like in a republic with the exception for the head of state. The head of state, the King,  in a Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy is neutral and does not belong to any political party, nor is he a member of any political party and he owes no favours to any political. Thus the Prime Minister in a Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy steers the country without the inference of the head of state. Please note that this works very well in Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. All these countries are advanced democracies with superlative social services and have enviable stability.

Your Grand grandfather King Peter I was a monarch of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians. Did you have the opportunity to study more in details his period of reign and what political lessons did you learn from that?

- Today we are witnessing a multi ethnic and multi religious Europe in and under the European Union. The Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes followed by Yugoslavia was an attempt for everyone to live under one roof or umbrella. We all witnessed the loss of life and suffering that took place in the nineties preceded by a political experiment that failed while Western Europe moved head in liberty by leaps and bounds. We learn much from experience and history and understand the need to get on with each other as is the case within the European Union and democracies. Today after all this past we have only one option and that is to embark as quickly as possible  towards the European Union and get on with international obligations and not be hostage to a single person. Our people deserve to be in Europe and take part in Europe. Surely, our people have noticed that two more neighbours will become members 1 January 2007 of the European Union – Bulgaria and Rumania. Slovenia is already a member and will be a Euro Zone member 1 January 2007. We wish them all the best.

Have you discussed with your father, King Peter II about the political circumstances when many important decisions have been made for all the people on Balkan?

My father became king at a very young age and there was no shortage of political intrigue during his lifetime and problems. My father always spoke to me about democracy and how well our people would do in a democracy. He was very homesick and I am sad that he did not come home. In fact, he witnessed during the war political wrangling and disunity and he mentioned to me the concern he had about disunity and the need for clear thinking.

Referendum in Montenegro finally buried the idea of the South-Slavic union of the nations. What is your comment on that and what do you suggest to the people of Serbia and Serbian Diaspora as a unique ethnic and spiritual entity?

- I am very sad. I have Montenegrin blood in my veins and wish our brothers and sisters all the very best. We must work for the common good and not complicate things. We must face real politic and work for Serbia in Europe more than ever now and build friendship with all our neighbours and beyond. We depend on good relations to reach economic success. We cannot live behind new “Berlin” walls, isolated from each other, or fall into some bureaucratic intrigue that might make life a ridiculous mess. Now is the time for political maturity in the best interest of the people.

Your opponents reacted to your ideas finding that (as they say) with your coronation another centre of power, corruption and expense would be founded. What is your opinion?

In Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchies, the power is with the elected government led by the Prime Minster. In all the Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchies, I cannot recall or know of any head of state (king or Queen) involved in being a centre of political power, expenses above a republic, corruption or stealing. Did you know that King Alexander I and Peter I did not have a coronation. Talking about expenses in fact a republic is more expensive that a Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy because the repetitive  cost of elections (millions of Euros) takes place every four years and plus expensive campaigning. Otherwise, in a Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy there are parliamentary elections and local election just like in a republic.

You are often criticized in public for the lack of knowledge and fluency in Serbian language. Is it psychological obstacle, while I have information that you are very dedicated to the learning process, or is it something completely different?

- My Serbian is getting better day by day. I am glad you have received positive information. I admit that our language it is not an easy one for someone who was actually forcefully denied to live in the land of his ancestors. I am so glad I am home now in our country Serbia.  I am learning new things every day and I love Serbia.

Where and how you have spent your childhood? Where were your parents than and what is your favourite memory from that period?

- I spent my life in many foreign lands and followed my parents around. I was educated on two continents. I learnt a lot, I am learning new things every day, and now I am home in the land of my ancestors. 

What is written in your school biography and how many foreign languages do you speak?

- I had an international education and speak six languages. Some are a little rusty and need practise.

What was your first employment and can you still be in some big business today?

- My first job was a summer at petrol station in Geneva when I was thirteen and the tips were good particularly if I did a good job cleaning the clients’ windows. I could do still big business day, but I am concentrating on matters at home now.

TO PRESERVE THE HERITAGE

Relationships in the Karadjordjevic family seem to be not quite well. What is the problem? Real-estate issues or something else? Are you trying to overcome these difficulties?

- I am very sad about it. I am trying to over-come this sad situation. My task is to preserve what I believe is our countries small Versailles for the people and not allow it to be divided or become a casino. In addition, it is very clear who are the heirs of the Dedinje complex. I had to work to earn my living and I worked to help bring democracy to our country and my wife work for years for humanitarian relief for our country. Members of the family have done things too. I hope that there will be unity and that others will not exploit my family. I have always said that I am available.

What are your connections with the British Crown in London and how influential are their ideas on your political steps?

- We are good friends with the British Royal Family and other ones too, but there is nothing political between us, there is just friendship. In Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchies the Royal Family is above politics and the government is elected by the people and its steers the country

Why should Serbia be the kingdom?

- Serbia can become a Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy and it can do very well. Our people need to know more about it and understand how it works and that it is not anti democratic, but in fact enhances the democracy by not interfering in daily politics thus allowing the democratically elected government to get one with daily business. Serbia cannot afford anymore the constant bickering between the two man political offices. Our people need a future and stability and Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy can do it and bring respect to our beautiful country. We need to discuss constitutions and I would very much like it that the Spanish Constitution be looked at as a fine example to learn from and Professor Pavle’s Nikolic’s proposal.

JOIN THE TRAIN FOR EUROPE

There is a certain lack of information in public on how to address to you. Some people are saying that you have never been coroneted, and therefore, you cannot be king, and other will open the documents that show recognition of your right to the throne even by Tito! He answered to your fathers request on 25^th April and allowed the State delegation to be present on your birth in London. How can these misunderstandings be avoided? 

The point is that what happened in 1945 was literally the high jacking of the legal state by an entity willing to experiment with dictatorship on the people for several decades and denying the right of freedom enjoyed by people like in the western European countries. My father never abdicated and I was born when he was still king yet at the ripe age of two thanks to Kardelj’s decree I was number three on the list depriving me of my human rights. In fact, the ruling elite rather like an outdated absolute monarchy of the middle ages exerted their will and pressure over the people. Today we have the chance to put all this behind us and finally work for the common good together of all citizens regardless of  their religion, or ethnic origin, or their past views or political persuasion. In this case, everyone should be pleased about this and have a chance to partake, but of course, there will always be like in every democracy a very tiny entity bellyaching to the pleasure of a few. Note Europe is moving ahead so we might as well join the train and not remain in the station or be forgotten rusting in some siding.