Document #1219829
Freedom House (Author)
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Democratic Governance | 3.75 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 4.00 |
Electoral Process | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 |
Civil Society | 2.75 | 2.75 | 2.75 | 2.50 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 |
Independent Media | 3.50 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.25 | 4.50 |
Local Democratic Governance | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
Judicial Framework and Independence | 4.25 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 |
Corruption | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.25 |
Democracy Score | 3.68 | 3.79 | 3.79 | 3.71 | 3.64 | 3.64 | 3.64 | 3.64 | 3.68 | 3.75 |
NOTE: The ratings reflect the consensus of Freedom House, its academic advisers, and the author(s) of this report. If consensus cannot be reached, Freedom House is responsible for the final ratings. The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 7 the lowest. The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for the categories tracked in a given year. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s).
In 2015, Serbia’s democracy continued the modestly negative trajectory observed in 2014. While some areas of democratic development saw minor improvements, they were outweighed by worrying developments in the government’s attitude toward dissent or criticism. A huge parliamentary majority and strong public support allowed the government to take important steps in moving forward with European Union (EU) accession, normalizing relations with Kosovo, and implementing key fiscal and economic reforms. However, the ruling coalition of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) continued to display a sharp intolerance for any kind of criticism either from opposition parties, independent media, civil society, or even ordinary citizens. Independent government bodies, such as the ombudsman, came under particularly severe attack for attempting to hold government officials and institutions to account and upholding the rights of ordinary citizens.
Having negotiated a three-year reform agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government took bold moves to stabilize public finances and halt the alarming growth of public debt. Despite the unpopularity of austerity measures, the government maintained remarkable overall support for its efforts. In March, Serbia completed the first phase of EU accession negotiations, known as “screening,” and the first negotiating chapters were opened in December. In addition, Belgrade and Pristina made significant progress in implementing the 2013 Brussels Agreement through accords agreed in August, helping the further normalization of relations.
Despite frequent speculation, fed by the ruling SNS, no early elections were held in 2015. Nevertheless, the ruling coalition kept up pressure to realign local governing coalitions; and the worrying trend of political violence and intimidation during local elections, which started in 2014, continued in 2015. In opposition-run municipalities such as Inđija, accusations were frequently made that the SNS in particular was using violence and intimidation to wrestle control of local government away from their opponents. In southern Serbia, ethnic Albanian deputies from the municipalities of Preševo and Bujanovac demanded the creation of an autonomous Association of Albanian Municipalities, akin to the Association of Serb Municipalities due to be created in Kosovo. However, Serbian authorities and the international community largely ignored their demands.
Despite the challenges faced by many well-established nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) when it comes to funding, civil society life in Serbia remained vibrant and lively. Citizens continued to organize on an ad hoc basis to pressure the authorities on specific local issues as well as to offer support to the large wave of migrants and asylum seekers passing through Serbia from the Middle East. Unlike in parts of Central and Eastern Europe, there were no anti-Muslim or anti-immigration rallies. For the second consecutive year, activists and NGOs campaigning for the rights of LGBTI people held a Pride Parade in Belgrade. The event passed off with no major violent incidents, albeit under heavy police protection and with little public support.
By contrast, the media remained under heavy pressure. Editors and journalists continued to complain of government attempts to interfere with editorial policy and limit critical reporting. In particular, public advertising was used to reward friendly and punish critical media. Together with a contraction in other forms of income, this led to widespread self-censorship by editors and journalists. Official intolerance for investigative reporting critical of the ruling parties was particularly evident in the shrill attacks by Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić on the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) in the first half of the year. The government moved to privatize many state-owned media; a step it argued would increase their independence. Yet, in reality, the process seems to have resulted in the sale of a large number of outlets to businessmen close to SNS, effectively further reducing their independence.
Little progress was made in improving the organization and efficiency of the judicial system in 2015. The government drew up an action plan for judicial reform, prepared as a condition for opening accession negotiations with the EU in Chapter 23 on the Judiciary and Fundamental Rights. The action plan, which was drafted following consultation with the EU, contains detailed measures to be implemented over the coming years and includes measurable indicators of success. Attempts to exert political influence over the judiciary continued in 2015 and were most visible in efforts to remove Chief War Crimes Prosecutor Vladimir Vukčević from office before the end of his mandate. Many saw his willingness to dig deep in war crimes committed by the Serbian side during the wars of the 1990s as the reason behind such efforts.
Despite the fact that the ruling SNS’s rise to power was based on promises to fight corruption, there was a significant discrepancy between official rhetoric and concrete steps taken to stem corruption. The rare exception was a June law protecting whistleblowers. A clear record of corruption-related court convictions still needs to be established; and even the number of indictments brought forward remains low relative to the number of cases opened and investigated. Meanwhile, periodic corruption accusations against members of the SNS and individuals close to it were usually dismissed by senior party officials, with no legal action taken.
Score Changes:
As a result, Serbia’s Democracy Score declined from 3.68 to 3.75.
Outlook for 2016: Serbia will hold regularly scheduled local elections as well as Vojvodina provincial elections in the spring of 2016, and Prime Minister Vučić has already decided to combine this with early parliamentary elections. There seems little doubt that the SNS will emerge victorious after these elections, particularly as the opposition remains in disarray. It will be important to watch whether the ruling party steps up attempts to bring independent media under greater control in the run-up to these elections, as seems likely. Equally important will be whether the trend of violence in elections at the local level seen in 2014 and 2015 continues next year. On a more positive note, the government can be expected to continue pursuing EU accession together with the normalization of relations with Pristina. Attempts at fiscal consolidation and economic reform are also likely to continue in 2016.
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.75 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 4.00 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.75 | 2.75 | 2.75 | 2.50 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.50 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.25 | 4.50 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.25 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.25 |
Author: Miloš Damnjanović
Miloš Damnjanović is a political analyst working and living in Belgrade. He holds a doctorate in Political Science from the University of Oxford, where he worked on post-1989 democratization in Serbia and Croatia.
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[15] Sanja Bečejić, “Tetovirani bajkeri napali aktiviste i isprskali ih suzavcem I sve to na izborima za mesnu zajednicu” [Tattooed bikers attack activists and spray them with tear gas and all in a local community election], Blic, 7 June 2015, http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Srbija/565714/Tetovirani-bajkeri-napali-aktiviste-i-isprskali-ih-suzavcem-i-sve-to-na-izborima-za-MESNU-ZAJEDNICU
[16] Serbian Business Registers Agency, http://www.apr.gov.rs/eng/Home.aspx
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[18] “Miletić: Ove godine drastično bolja atmosfera” [Miletić: Drastically better atmosphere this year], Blic, 20 September 2015, http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Drustvo/591998/Miletic-Ove-godine-drasticno-bolja-atmosfera
[19] “Trans prajd i Parade ponosa: Zatvorene ulice u centru Beograda [Tran Pride and Pride Parade: Streets closed in central Belgrade], Radio Slobodna Evropa/Radio Free Europe, 20 September 2015, http://www.slobodnaevropa.org/content/trans-prajd-i-patrada-ponosa-zatvorene-ulice-u-centru-beograda/27258293.html
[20] Iva Martinović, “Novi napad na LGBT aktiviste u Srbiji” [Fresh attack on LGBT activists in Serbia], Radio Slobodna Evropa/Radio Free Europe, 5 September 2015, http://www.slobodnaevropa.org/content/novi-napad-na-lgbt-aktiviste-u-srb...; “Parliamentarians condemn attack against lesbians in Belgrade,” European Parliament Intergroup on LGBT Rights, 1 October 2015, http://www.lgbt-ep.eu/press-releases/parliamentarians-condemn-attack-against-lesbians-in-belgrade/
[21] Milka Domanović, “Belgraders Protest Against Waterfront Deal,” Balkan Insight, 27 April 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/belgraders-protest-against-belgrade-waterfront-deal; Saša Dragojlo, “Police Block Belgrade Waterfront Protest,” Balkan Insight, 28 September 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/police-block-belgrade-waterfront-protest-09-28-2015
[22] Branka Trivić, “Kako je žuta patkica proterana sa Save” [How the yellow duck was expelled from the Sava], Radio Slobodna Evropa/Radio Free Europe, 31 August 2015, http://www.slobodnaevropa.org/content/kako-je-zuta-patkica-proterana-sa-save/27218570.html
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[24] Zorana Glavonjić, “Izbeglice gladne, hrana podeljena, građani pomažu” [Refugees hungry, food distributed, citizens offer help], Radio Slobodna Evropa/Radio Free Europe, 28 August 2015, http://www.slobodnaevropa.org/content/srbija-izbeglice-gladne-hrana-razgrabljena-gradjani-pomazu/27214032.html
[25] Refugee Aid Serbia, https://www.facebook.com/refugeeaidserbia?fref=ts
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[51] European Commission, “Serbia 2015 Report”, http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2015/20151110_report_serbia.pdf
[52] European Commission, “Serbia 2015 Report,” European Commission, 10 November 2015, http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2015/20151110_report_serbia.pdf
[53] “Milojević pozvao sudije da predlažu najbolje za VSS” [Milojević calls on judges to nominate the best for the VSS], Dnevnik, 16 October 2015, http://www.dnevnik.rs/hronika/milojevic-pozvao-sudije-da-predlazu-najbolje-za-vss
[54] “Vukčević ide u penziju prije kraja mandata” [Vukčević to retire before the end of his mandate], Nezavisne Novine, 10 December 2014, http://www.nezavisne.com/novosti/ex-yu/Vukcevic-ide-u-penziju-prije-kraja-mandata/278021
[55] Marija Ristić, “Serbia’s War Crimes Crusader Leaves the Battlefield,” Balkan Insight, 15 January 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbia-s-war-crimes-crusader-leaves-the-battlefield
[56] “Vukčević ne ide u penziju, ostaje tužilac do kraja mandata” [Vukčević not going into retirement, set to remain presecutor until the end of his mandate], Blic, 21 January 2015, http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Hronika/528288/Vukcevic-ne-ide-u-penziju-ostaje-tuzilac-do-kraja-mandata
[57] “Nikolić: Vukčević da razmisli šta to kopa po Srbiji kada istražuje generala Dikovića” [Nikolić: Vukčević should think about what he is digging in Serbia when he investigates general Diković], Blic, 14 February 2015, http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Politika/534822/Nikolic-Vukcevic-da-razmisli-sta-to-kopa-po-Srbiji-kada-istrazuje-generala-Dikovica
[58] European Commission, “Serbia 2015 Report,” European Commission, 10 November 2015, http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2015/20151110_report_serbia.pdf
[59] Ibid.
[60] Transparency International, “Corruption Perceptions Index 2015,” https://www.transparency.org/cpi2015#results-table
[61] “Srbija 47. od 102 zemlje po otvorenosti budžeta” [Serbia 47th of 102 countries in terms of openness of its budget], EurActiv, 16 September 2015, http://www.euractiv.rs/srbija-i-eu/9142-srbija-47-od-102-zemlje-po-otvorenosti-budeta ; see also: http://internationalbudget.org/group-data/?country=rs
[62] Igor Jovanović, “Whistleblowers get better protection in Serbia,” Balkan Insight, 5 June 2015, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/whistleblowers-get-better-protection-in-serbia
[63] Jelena Veljković, “Gašić iz budžeta plaćao firme svoje porodice” [Gašić paid companies belonging to his family from the state budget], Javno-BIRN, 21 May 2015, http://www.javno.rs/istrazivanja/gasic-iz-budzeta-placao-firme-svoje-porodice
[64] “Bratislavu Gašiću izrečena mera javnog objavljivanja odluke o povredi Zakona o Agenciji” [Measure of public issuance of decision regarding breach of the Law on the Agency taken against Bratislav Gašić], Republic of Serbia Anti-Corruption Agency, 28 September 2015, http://bit.ly/22hYfRf
Nations in Transit 2016 - Kazakhstan (Periodical Report, English)