The rise of populist and nationalist movements (Alt-Right) around the world has met with fierce resistance from the liberal forces of globalization, which have historically sought to promote an elitist international order characterized by open markets, multilateral institutions, and the erosion of national sovereignty. Having lost influence in Washington following Donald Trump’s re-election in November 2024 and the reinstatement of the “America First” policy, these forces have turned their attention to Europe, with Keir Starmer’s London and Ursula von der Leyen’s Brussels as their new strongholds.
This article examines how these forces have particularly targeted Serbia, Slovakia, and Hungary, using the recent unrest in the Serbian Parliament as a case study, to show how far the global elite is willing to go to influence sovereign nations to their advantage.
The Retreat of Globalization from America to Europe
The election of Donald Trump in 2016 and then again in 2024 marked a significant turning point in global politics. Trump’s “America First” agenda, which emphasized national sovereignty, economic protectionism, and skepticism toward multilateral institutions, posed a direct challenge to the globalist-liberal order that had dominated international politics since the end of World War II. In response, globalist-liberal forces, including transnational elites, their non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and liberal internationalists, began to realign and consolidate their power in every Institution of Opportunity. Here, by Institution of Opportunity we mean a political situation that favors the interests of the globalist elite, such as the election of Keir Starmer in the United Kingdom and Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels of the European Union (EU).
Brussels in particular, with its extensive network of EU institutions, has provided an ideal base for these forces to pursue their agenda of promoting liberal democracy, open borders, and supranational governance. The EU, with its commitment to “ever closer political union,” has long been seen as a vehicle for advancing globalist-liberal ideals, often at the expense of national sovereignty. As such, Brussels has become the new epicenter of globalist-liberal efforts to counter the rise of populist parties and nationalism (Alt-Right) in Europe and beyond. It should be emphasized that the US benefits from the fragmentation of the EU and the British Commonwealth into sovereign states, which would be weak and easier to control by the US, China and Russia respectively.
Targeting Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary
Serbia, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania (please read the analysis titled “Romania: The front of intra-Western ideological confrontation (liberal-globalists Brussels) vs (populist-nationalists Washington)” for more information) have emerged as key battlegrounds in the globalist-liberal struggle against democratic processes that elect popular parties (recent case of Romania) rather than liberal governments and more generally against European nationalism and the fragmentation of the EU. These countries, each in their own way, are trying to resist the intervention of globalist-liberal forces and have sought to assert their dominance in the face of external pressure.
- Serbia: Serbia’s relationship with the EU has been marked by tension, particularly over the issue of Kosovo’s independence, which Serbia refuses to recognize. The EU has put constant pressure on Serbia to normalize its relations with Kosovo as a condition for EU membership, a demand that has met with resistance from Serbian nationalists. In recent years, Serbia has also sought to strengthen its relations with Russia and China, further alienating itself from the EU and the broader globalist-liberal agenda.
- Slovakia: Slovakia, an EU member since 2004, has seen the rise of populist and nationalist movements that have challenged the country’s pro-EU establishment. The election of Robert Fico and the Smer-SD party in 2016 marked a shift towards a more Eurosceptic and nationalist stance, with Fico criticizing the EU’s handling of the migration crisis and advocating greater national sovereignty. This has put Slovakia at odds with globalist-liberal forces in Brussels, who see Fico’s government as a threat to their agenda. It is worth noting that there was an attempt on Fico’s life on May 15, 2024.
- Hungary: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary has become one of the most vocal critics of the EU and the globalist-liberal order. Orbán’s Fidesz party has pursued a policy of “illiberal democracy” or “national sovereignty democracy”, emphasizing national sovereignty, cultural conservatism, and economic nationalism. Orbán is also a staunch opponent of the EU and Soros’ immigration policies, which he sees as a threat to Hungary’s cultural and national identity. As a result, Hungary has become one of the main targets of globalist-liberal forces, who have sought to undermine Orbán’s government through various means, including funding opposition groups and leveraging EU institutions to exert pressure on Hungary.
The Smoke Bomb Incident in the Serbian Parliament: A Case Study
The recent mayhem in the Serbian Parliament, marked by smoke bombs, violence, and obstruction, provides a vivid picture of the lengths to which globalist-liberal forces are willing to go to influence specific states to their advantage. The incident, which occurred during a session to discuss controversial electoral reforms, has been widely interpreted as an attempt by opposition parties, supported by globalist-liberal forces, to undermine the government of President Aleksandar Vucic.
Vucic, in power since 2012, has pursued a policy of balancing Serbia’s EU accession bid with its traditional relations with Russia and China. This balancing act has made him a target for globalist-liberal forces, who see his government as an obstacle to their agenda of integrating Serbia into the EU and fully aligning the country with Western interests. Opposition parties, many of which are funded and supported by Western NGOs and liberal foundations, have sought to exploit domestic discontent to destabilize Vučić’s government and force a change in policy.
The use of smoke bombs and violence in the Serbian Parliament is indicative of the tactics used by globalist-liberal forces to achieve their goals. By creating chaos and undermining the government’s legitimacy, these forces hope to weaken Vučić’s position and pave the way for a more pro-EU and pro-Western government. This strategy is consistent with the broader pattern of globalist-liberal intervention in the domestic politics of sovereign nations, often under the guise of promoting democracy and human rights.
Conclusion
The retreat of globalist-liberal forces in every Institution of Opportunity after losing their influence in Washington has significant implications for European politics, particularly in countries like Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Hungary. These nations, each in their own way, have resisted the intervention of globalist-liberal forces and have sought to assert their dominance in the face of this external pressure. The recent debacle in the Serbian Parliament is a stark reminder of the lengths to which these forces are willing to go to destabilize sovereign nations and advance their agenda.
As the battle between national-populist forces (Alt-Right) and globalism continues, it is clear that the battle for the future of Europe will be fought not only in the corridors of power of pro-globalist governments, but also in the streets and parliaments of nations such as Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary. The outcome of this battle will have profound implications for the future of national sovereignty, democracy and the international order.
