Corruption in Serbia has infiltrated every level of society, with political corruption being particularly pervasive and largely unaddressed by the government. Alarmingly, the National Strategy for Combating Corruption does not acknowledge political corruption. To address this issue effectively, Serbia must directly confront political corruption before it becomes entrenched, starting with its acknowledgment in the National Strategy. To contribute to this dialogue, we actively participated in the development of the new National Strategy, aiming to raise public awareness through media engagement, foster alternative public discussions, and encourage citizen involvement. This effort culminated in the publication of “Alternative Approach to the Preparation of the National Strategy for Combating Corruption.”
The beneficiaries of this initiative included key decision-makers such as the Ministry of Justice and six other ministries, the Anti-Corruption Council, GIZ (German Development Agency), anti-corruption civil society organizations, the media, and citizens. While we did not have a formal partner for this project, we received support from several organizations. Although the project was implemented independently, we collaborated with ten established civil society organizations committed to the fight against corruption to strengthen our efforts.
This project will leave a lasting impact for future reference, highlighting the ongoing conflict between a small number of anti-corruption activists and the pervasive corruption in Serbia, particularly regarding the ineffective fight against it. The National Strategy for the Fight Against Corruption was completed in 2013, representing a largely symbolic effort against political corruption. In July 2024, the government adopted a proposal for this strategy, but our concerns remain documented. We will continue to advocate against corruption whenever the opportunity arises.
Currently, we are re-engaged with the Working Group preparing the Action Plan for the National Strategy. We have reiterated our previous remarks, and we intend to do so until the Action Plan is adopted, likely by the end of the year. Our goal is to ensure the Action Plan addresses political corruption; if it does not, we will monitor its implementation through 2028, continuously emphasizing that the National Strategy serves more as a formality than a genuine effort to combat corruption.
The proposal for the National Strategy for combating corruption from 2023 to 2028 fails to address the issue effectively, serving instead as a façade that undermines genuine reform. By emphasizing formal compliance over authentic action, it creates an illusion of progress while perpetuating corruption. Citizens must voice their concerns and hold accountable those responsible for this deceptive strategy, as highlighted by the Ministry of Justice’s closed public hearing, which underscores a lack of transparency and commitment to tackling corruption in Serbia.