politics

April 6, 2026

Victory of corrupt politicians

If it determines that an official has not reported accurate data on assets and income, with the intention of concealing them, the Agency can file a criminal complaint. The significance of these anti-corruption tools is reduced by the ignorance of the executive authorities, as well as the parliament, prosecutor's office, and courts.

Victory of corrupt politicians

TL;DR

  • Corruption is a root cause of democratic crises, inversely proportional to the decline of democracy.
  • Serbia's initial anti-corruption enthusiasm waned after 2000, replaced by a view of politics as spoils distribution.
  • Key political actors in Serbia prioritized benefits from corrupt clientelistic state capture.
  • External actors' critiques of anti-corruption measures were subordinated to geostrategic interests.
  • Citizens' support for anti-corruption efforts is weak due to existential pressures and a low anti-corruption reflex.
  • Anti-corruption bodies in Serbia operate with formal powers but lack real influence, leading to 'awakened hopes – disappointed expectations'.
  • The Law on Combating Corruption (2008) gave the Agency for Combating Corruption significant responsibilities, but its impact was reduced by neglect from other state branches.
  • The scope of individuals obligated to report assets was inconsistently defined, excluding some high-ranking officials.
  • The 2019 Law on Prevention of Corruption renamed the agency and altered its oversight structure, raising concerns about increased political influence.
  • GRECO noted deficiencies in the 2019 law, including unclear criteria for officials' other business activities, discretion in reporting assets, low penalties, and the non-criminalization of false income declarations.
  • The selection process for the Agency's director and council members under the new law has been criticized for reducing independence, as parliamentary majority will likely dictate appointments.
  • Internal factors contributing to the failure include nontransparency, corrupt political and electoral processes, and interference in personnel selections for anti-corruption bodies.
  • There is a pattern of marginalizing independent state bodies in Serbia, akin to a transplanted organ in a hostile environment.
  • Real change requires shifts in power dynamics, citizen awareness, and political will for radical reforms, not just superficial ones.
  • The legislative and administrative bodies are most exposed to corruption as they enact regulations tailored to leaders or their financiers.
  • Measures needed include increased transparency, control, monopoly eradication, financial transaction oversight, sound economic and social policy, and media freedom.

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