HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER II KARADJORDJEVIC

Constitutional monarchy should be most seriously considered

Warming of the Serbian political scene in the eve of the upcoming parliamentary elections is in progress. Changing sides of the parties is mostly finished. Candidates’ lists are being completed, and soon the first expectations of the election results will follow. How does HRH Crown Prince Alexander II sees all of that, whose coming to the throne is in the pre-election promises of some parties who are competing for the parliament?

Your Royal Highness, are you, and in what form and to what extent involved in the election campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Serbia?

I am not involved in the Parliamentary elections, I respect all parties. I am asking for citizens to go and vote in the parliamentary elections on 28 December for whom they wish freely rain or shine. What I am proposing for Serbia is a Constitutional Monarchy just like in Spain, Belgium, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Norway etc.. I believe that Serbia needs a Head of State that respect all citizens regardless of their political views, religion or ethnic origin. In a Constitutional Monarchy the Monarch reigns and the Government rules and it works very well. In a Constitutional Monarchy parliament is elected in free and fair elections and the Prime Minister rules the country with his cabinet.

Is YRH aware of what political parties have monarchy as the form of state in their programs and as their election promises and what is the relationship of YRH with these parties? Have there been any concrete contacts with any of them?

Yes I am aware, but I must point out that in a Constitutional Monarchy just like in Denmark, Holland, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand etc the Monarch respects all political parties and the democratic process. The Monarch is not a member of any political party and is the symbol of unity and continuity. Over the years I have had contact with most political parties in our country and many politicians, and I will continue to do so.

Does YRH think that monarchy is at all possible at the present level of democratic development in Serbia?

Yes Constitutional Monarchy is very possible in Serbia and will enhance the democratic process after so many failures. It will also bring back respect both domestically and international for our country and democracy. What is seriously needed is that citizens should be informed what Constitutional Monarchy is. For example Spain was a dictatorship and is now a Constitutional Monarchy, a great democracy and a member of the European Union. We can learn from the Spanish experience and study closely its constitution. Constitutional Monarchy respects the historical past and brings people together thus making it more stable for the government to rule.

How does YRH see the possibilities of monarchy in Serbia, today, generally speaking particularly after everything that has happened and before the announced events?

I believe in the people of Serbia and I am certain that given all the facts about Constitutional Monarchy they will seize what is good for a stable Serbia and a strong Serbia. I have traveled all over our country and what I find is a great proud people waiting for jobs, good social services, stability and a future. So let’s go for the sensible stable solution and that is Constitutional Monarchy and that allows the democratically elected government and the legislature to get on with the job of ruling our beautiful nation. For the public to have all the facts, the media has an important role to inform the people and to be objective and investigative.

Political interests of monarchy were represented by some republican parties during the so far period of democratic development in Serbia. It turned out that all of them gave up monarchist option the moment they had the opportunity to do so. What is your comment?

Everyone has the right to do as they wish, but I am sad to say that we lost so much time in all sectors owing to so many issues, tragedies and factors so no one really took time to examine what is seriously good for Serbia. For example in the European Union what is good is that the Republics and the Constitutional Monarchies are working hand in hand for a modern and democratic Europe. After the 28 December elections our parliament must seriously take time to examine many important issues and most certainly one main issue is a new constitution for Serbia and so what I am recommending is a Constitutional Monarchy Constitution and that requires study like just like anything else and not just point blank dismissal.

One part of our public is wondering how it was possible that YRH had “the closest” cooperation with the republicans, there is even a high official of a prominent republican party who is also a member of the Crown Council, and he is taking active part in the presidential campaigns?

As I mentioned before Republics and Constitutional Monarchies have the highest respect for democracy, yet the Head of State is different in each system. In a Republic the Head of State comes from a political party and owes allegiance to his or her party and there can be very good presidents. In a Constitutional Monarchy the Head of State is neutral and is a not member of any party, of course there can be good monarchs too. I am a democratic and I believe that everyone can work together for the good of Serbia, but I am firm that Serbia needs a neutral Head of State that is the symbol of unity and continuity, the defender of democracy. This principle of a neutral Head of Sate will avoid most of the failures we have unfortunately experienced in Serbia and the divisions, and it would restore confidence in the electorate to make our country a success.

Sena TODOROVIC