Siniša Mali, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and former Mayor of Belgrade, has been the target of numerous media attacks throughout his political career, especially regarding controversies around his doctoral degree and allegations of owning luxury properties in Bulgaria. Despite this, Mali has been a key operative in implementing major economic projects in Serbia, contributing to the reduction of Belgrade’s public debt, increasing foreign investments, and improving the country’s credit rating. The Belgrade Waterfront project, which he led as mayor, faced criticism and protests but later became a symbol of urban development and attracted significant investments. Mali also coordinated preparations for EXPO, and his role in the Serbian government is highlighted by economic achievements and the digitalization of financial processes. Media attacks are often linked to political opponents and foreign media, while the government emphasizes his contributions to Serbia’s development.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets tend to emphasize the controversies and criticisms surrounding Siniša Mali, focusing on allegations of corruption, academic dishonesty regarding his doctoral degree, and media scrutiny. They highlight the role of foreign media and opposition in exposing these issues and question the transparency of his projects.
Center: Centrist sources provide a balanced view, acknowledging both the media controversies and the economic achievements under Mali’s leadership. They report on the challenges he faced, including protests and criticism, but also recognize the positive economic indicators such as foreign investment growth and urban development projects like Belgrade Waterfront.
Right: Right-leaning media emphasize Mali’s economic successes and his role as a trusted operative of President Aleksandar Vučić. They often portray the media attacks as politically motivated attempts to undermine Serbia’s progress and highlight Mali’s contributions to Serbia’s economic growth, improved credit rating, and international recognition.
