Generali Insurance has announced its decision to withdraw from the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) and the Association of Insurers of Serbia (UOS) after both organizations failed to respond to recent media attacks targeting the company’s Executive Board President, Dragan Filipović.
The controversy began when pro-government tabloids, including Informer and Republika (Serbian Telegraph), published a photo of Filipović from a student protest he attended in a private capacity, accusing him of attempting to “overthrow the state.” This sparked a wave of attacks on the company, which were followed by unsubstantiated claims that Generali was losing market share.
While Generali received public support from various trade organizations, such as the Council of Foreign Investors, the Serbian Association of Managers, the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen, and Confindustria, neither PKS nor UOS expressed solidarity. In response, Generali reached out to both organizations, requesting a condemnation of the attacks to protect the company’s reputation, but their pleas went unanswered.
As a result, Generali decided to withdraw from all activities within both organizations. The company informed PKS and UOS that it would remain a member as required by law, but Filipović would no longer participate in any functions. Generali also plans to send another representative in place of Filipović to the Board of Directors of the Association of Insurers of Serbia, and it will withdraw all employees from the organization’s 15 expert commissions. Additionally, Generali will cease participating in PKS activities, including meetings and research, and will no longer share any business data with the Chamber.
Generali had been a key member of both organizations, with Filipović serving as the deputy president of the Board of Directors of the Association of Insurers of Serbia. However, the company’s decision to withdraw reflects their dissatisfaction with the lack of support from these associations during the media campaign.
Meanwhile, other organizations such as the Serbian Association of Managers (SAM), the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen, and Confindustria Serbia have publicly condemned the attacks. SAM expressed concern that such actions, targeting individuals for their personal beliefs, undermine not just the individual but also the professional integrity of all managers in Serbia. They vowed to continue advocating for a society free from pressure and attacks. Similarly, the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen and Confindustria Serbia expressed solidarity with Generali, emphasizing the company’s significant contribution to the country’s economic development over the past two decades.
The support from these associations underscores the broader concern about the impact of such media campaigns on businesses in Serbia, particularly when individuals are targeted for their personal views.
