Serbian President Engages TikTok Audience, Invites Controversial YouTuber

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić made his debut on TikTok by hosting a live session where he interacted with followers and invited YouTuber Baka Prase to join him via phone. This unprecedented move took place on the evening of March 15, 2024, marking a significant engagement with the younger demographic on social media.

At the start of the broadcast, Vučić acknowledged that his advisors had recommended against participating in TikTok due to potential backlash. He assured viewers that he had heard all possible insults and was unfazed by them. During the session, memes were shared featuring Vučić, including one where he appeared with a gun and an umbrella. He commented on the absurdity of some political narratives, saying, “They create something like the Sarajevo safari and, after repeating it a hundred times, they start to believe it.”

As the live stream progressed, viewers requested that Vučić connect with Baka Prase. Upon doing so, the YouTuber posed several questions, including whether Vučić believed he would make a better mayor of Belgrade than the current officeholder. Vučić responded, “I don’t think so, but it’s important what people think,” reflecting his awareness of public perception.

During the call, Vučić highlighted that over 60,000 viewers were watching the live stream, to which Baka Prase remarked that this was a modest number compared to his own record of over 150,000 viewers for a previous event. The conversation took a humorous turn when Baka Prase suggested that Vučić should gamble the entire Serbian budget on red at a roulette table to double it. Vučić firmly rejected the idea, stating, “I am not a gambler. Serbia is not a gamble. It belongs to the people, not for betting.”

Baka Prase also inquired if Vučić could facilitate a conversation with Donald Trump to help restore his YouTube channels, which had been banned. Vučić assured him, “I will personally engage; I have talks with the Americans tonight and tomorrow, and I will ask them. First, I will mention it as a joke, then seriously.”

As the discussion moved on, Vučić addressed the ongoing conflict between Baka Prase and Željko Mitrović, the director of TV Pink. He advised Baka Prase to reach out to Mitrović and apologize for any offensive remarks made about his family, saying, “Call him and his wife and apologize for everything you said about his family.” In response, Baka Prase claimed he never spoke about Mitrović’s family but accused him of attacking his father’s character, alleging claims of criminal activity.

Baka Prase stated that he would be willing to apologize if Mitrović did the same, while Vučić pledged to do everything possible to resolve the issue.

This live engagement by President Vučić on TikTok highlights a trend where political leaders are increasingly utilizing social media platforms to connect with younger audiences, navigating both the opportunities and challenges this presents.