The 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections affirmed Serbia's pro-Europe path and set a course for sustainable democratic reform that had previously been thwarted by political conflict for much of the decade. The government, led by the Democratic Party and including G-17 Plus and the Socialist Party of Serbia, is steering Serbia on a path toward European Union (EU) membership. The signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) in 2008 and the 2009 extradition of indicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic to The Hague, are evidence of Serbia's new course.
Serbia's EU integration depends on the arrest and extradition of Ratko Mladic and the completion of judicial, economic and electoral reforms enumerated in the SAA. Legislative debate on a controversial Law on Information seen to encroach on freedom of speech underlines the need for more transparent parliamentary procedure. Increasing violent acts by extremists highlight the need to strengthen political institutions and their ability to uphold the rule of law. Serbia's claim on Kosovo, which declared independence in February 2008, will be part of the political and public debate into the future.
Political Party Strengthening
With funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development, NDI has supported the pro-reform political parties to increase their capacity to contest elections, create organizational structures, improve two-way communication with voters, develop modern and responsive policies, and clarify their ideological identities. NDI has worked with more than 15,000 activists from all major democratic parties, creating sustainable mechanisms to develop in-house expertise and pass along skills.
- Regional political party initiative»
- Liberal parties in the Balkans plot a shared course toward the future»
NDI is supporting increased citizen contact with elected officials through committee hearings, town hall meetings, and interaction with MPs in five pilot constituent relations offices.
In the fall of 2009, high school students met with their legislators and the Minister of Education to provide feedback on amendments to an education law, which will include students in the National Education Council. In 2010, young members of parliament will have the opportunity to connect with their colleagues in Europe during a study visit to an EU member state.
With a multi-ethnic population, Serbia’s democratic stability requires the full political participation of its ethnic minorities. Accordingly, NDI assists Albanian, Bosniak, Hungarian, and Roma parties in capacity-building, campaign organization, and constituent outreach. NDI also supports increased political participation of women and youth through gender equality initiatives at the national and local levels, and programs to hone the skills of Serbia’s future democratic political leaders.
- 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»
- Emerging political and civic leaders gather in Belgrade»
- Europe's Roma gaining political rights»
- Women Social Democrats of Southeastern Europe reach across borders for shared goals»
Nonpartisan Domestic Election Monitoring
NDI has assisted civic groups, particularly the Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID), on election monitoring and non-partisan get-out-the-vote efforts. The Institute and CeSID also work together to monitor the adoption and implementation of six electoral laws required for EU integration.
- Belgrade forum tackles challenges of Serbian EU accession»
- Serbia's May 2008 elections: a pre-election view From Belgrade»
- Serbia makes strides toward inclusive democracy»
- Post election report from NDI Serbia (2007)»
Contact Information
For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:
Belgrade
Tom Kelly, Resident Senior Director
+381 11 3283 970
Washington, D.C.
Nadia Mouzykina, Program Officer
(202) 728-5441
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Pictured Above: Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, President of Serbia’s National Assembly, opens a parliamentary constituency office in Belgrade’s Savski Venac district, one of five such offices in Serbia created with NDI support.
