Gender Equality for Show: Serbian Performative Europeanization

Abstract

The chapter aims to show how gender equality can be used for populist purposes, becoming performative in the constitution of façade democracy. It looks at specifics of the relationship between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the state-led gender equality policymaking in Serbia. Namely, in contrast to the anti-gender mobilization worldwide, most often heartily supported by the relevant religious actors, Serbia witnessed an unexpected silence on the side of the SOC representatives on issues of gender equality. The chapter provides a look back at the years prior to 2017, demonstrating the power and presence of SOC in shaping Serbian conservative politics, to then focus on the recent political developments, revolving around the appointment of the first lesbian Prime Minister. The chapter ultimately shows how the catch-all populism of the current regime succeeds in capturing gender equality from the feminist movement, making the Serbian Orthodox Church, at the same time, the most unlikely ally in the state gender equality for show.