Transitions in South East Europe - Case Study : Serbia, Road to Democratization

Résumé du document

All post-communist countries experienced public dissatisfaction over the economic dislocation of transition to a democratic market economy as well as to the access to pure democratic values. As a result, few anticommunist reformers have won consecutive elections everywhere in Eastern Europe. Serbia in many respects similar: public opinion is increasingly disaffected with its leading politicians (mainly DOS) and the way they have handled the reform process. The difference is that Serbs, most of whom experienced great economic hardships under Milosevic, feel that DOS- leading party, has not done enough since coming to power. In the government bureaucracy, judiciary, media and public opinion institutions, few changes made, while the economy continues to sputter, burdened by bureaucracy and regulations.

Extraits

[...] - 16 - Serbia, Road to Democratization The second part of the document, is entirely devoted to the status of Serbia and the Serbian people. If all the Yugoslav people share the difficulties evoked in the first part, we can read that the Serbian people are, among all, more concerned. Croatia and Slovenia, more developed from the economic point of view, developed very quickly at the expense of Serbia. Moreover, according to academicians', Serbia would have made important sacrifices for the Funds of the Federation, contrary to Croatia, Slovenia and Voïvodine, which would prove the existence of a “anti-Serb coalition”. [...]

[...] It should be keep in the mind, however, the referendum was welcomed by the Council of Europe, the European Union as well as by the United States. To put it short, the new constitution is out of step with traditions of European liberal democracy. The new constitution reflects the different more illiberal course Kostunica has set for Serbia. It is expected, that in nearest future, the nationalists tensions as well as radicalism might appear in Serbia as well as international community shouldn't be surprised if Belgrade express a distinct lack of interest in European integration. [...]

[...] The assassination of Serbian premier meant that Serbia had lost its most skilful and realistic politician. The question, that was posed after the assassination- whether this accident provided a catalyst to restart the reforms process and thoroughly leaned out the interlocking nexus of organized crime, war criminals and police and army officers hiding behind “nationalist-patriotic” slogans and organizations, would, likely, receive double-sided answer. The reforms are continuing to be undertaken, however, the results of them could be treated in a very special way. [...]

[...] - 21 - Serbia, Road to Democratization ballot box"17. The report claims that main aspects of competition between the political parties are not different political ideologies or programs, but rather a power of charisma of politicians (especially leaders) from different political parties. The report mentions that the "national question" (defining and defending of national interests) is still very strong through the political spectrum. The report claims that the character of relations between the government and the opposition is much more turbulent than in the cases of older democracies. [...]

[...] The report also mentions some concrete cases, when high politicians have been accused from corruption. The Freedom House claims that during past two years "the Serbian Parliament introduced key legislation to combat corruption, such as new laws on public procurement, conflict of interest, party financing, and access to information and a new criminal code. Despite these new laws, additional 23 Country report 2006-Serbia (Serbia and Montenegro) http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=47&nit=399&year=2006&display=democ 24 Country Report 2006-Serbia (Serbia and Montenegro) http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=47&nit=399&year=2006&display=law - 27 - Serbia, Road to Democratization measures are required to complete the legal framework and implement the anticorruption strategy."25 However some legislation has been improved, the government willingness and efforts to combat a corruption remain on very low level. [...]