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In the 10 years since the fall of Slobodan Milosevic, Serbia’s political debate between democracy and Europe on the one hand and autocracy and isolation on the other is slowly giving way to more dynamic politics characterized by new actors, issues and debates, at a time when the country’s aspirations to join the European Union (EU) are becoming clearer.
The International Court of Justice ruling affirming Kosovo’s 2008 independence declaration has precipitated official talks between Belgrade and Pristina on technical issues. With the arrest of Ratko Mladic, Serbia had fulfilled its principal obligation to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. President Boris Tadic and the ruling Democratic Party are attempting to pass electoral reform legislation to incentivize stronger connections between citizens and elected representatives. The general pace of democratic reform, however, has been slow and, coupled with economic woes, the opposition Serbian Progressive Party is using its growing public support to call for early elections this year.
Serbia’s democracy challenge is to open its political institutions, particularly parliament, to its diverse constituencies. Its success in this regard will largely determine whether it becomes an official candidate for EU membership later in 2011.
NDI's Democracy Support Program
With USAID funding, NDI has supported hundreds of political and civic activists across Serbia who have led its democratic transition since 1997. The Institute is presently encouraging election reform; aiding political parties in creating ideologically coherent and responsive policy positions; strengthening parliament’s representative, legislative and oversight functions; and enhancing political participation among youth, ethnic minorities, women and marginalized groups.
- Regional political party initiative»
- Liberal parties in the Balkans plot a shared course toward the future»
- Youth leaders declaration from Belgrade Summit seeks regional cooperation and peace»
- Supporting tolerance and leadership among youth in Southern Serbia and Kosovo»
- Regional youth tolerance»
- Roma political participation initiative»
- Women Social Democrats of Southeastern Europe reach across borders for shared goals»
NDI is facilitating public dialogue on election reform, particularly steps to take so that citizens can vote directly for their members of parliament (MPs) instead of the current system of voting only for political parties. Election reform speaks squarely to the participation of citizens in their political institutions. Likewise, NDI is helping elected officials at all levels engage constituents through public hearings and issue roundtables, and in turn the public understand and evaluate the positions of politicians through a unique “truth-o-meter” website (www.istinomer.rs)
- "Truth-O-Meter" encourages accountability in Serbia»
- Serbia debates electoral reform as precursor to EU membership»
- In Serbia, NDI staff supports parliamentary efforts to strenghten governance»
- Serbian citizens find answers with assembly liaison»
- Regional parliamentary initiative»
- Belgrade forum tackles challenges of Serbian EU accession»
- Emerging political and civic leaders gather in Belgrade»
- Serbia's May 2008 elections: a pre-election view From Belgrade»
- Serbia makes strides toward inclusive democracy»
- Post election report from NDI Serbia (2007)»
NDI is promoting new political dynamics by supporting women in political parties and government and their participation in municipal affairs; a multi-party group of young members of parliament and party and civic activists as the country’s future leaders; and disabled, rural, and gay and lesbian Serbians on their respective abilities to claim their rights as full citizens. Finally, NDI is supporting the political enfranchisement of Albanian, Bosniak, Hungarian and Roma communities by strengthening the political parties, government councils and members of parliament who represent them.
Contact Information
For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:
Belgrade
Tom Kelly, Resident Senior Director
tkelly@ndi.org
Washington, D.C.
Nadia Mouzykina, Program Officer
nmouzykina@ndi.org
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Pictured Above: NDI-trained volunteers at a voter education rally for National Minority Council elections in the city of Vranje.
