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Nicolas Marquier, Regional Manager for the Western Balkans at the IFC

Financing the Future

IFC, the largest global development institution, has provided almost $1 billion in financing to Serbia’s private sector over the past six years IFC, as a...

Iosif Vangelatos, General Manager, Inos Balkan

Proud of Tripling Trade Volume

Inos Balkan already possessed extensive expertise in the recycling sector, with its collection and processing centres, while it has today transformed itself successfully to...

Aris Karousos, CEO of Eko Serbia

Drivers Know Why They Choose Eko

Two decades ago, when this company launched its operations in Serbia, the desire was for the EKO brand to become synonymous with reliability, quality...

Danilo Đurović, General Manager, Autotechnica Serbia – Hertz

Introducing Flex Drive

As part of the Autohellas Group, which has been the absolute leader of Greece’s automotive sector since 1974, Hertz is more than just a...

Nikos Veropoulos, Owner, Veropoulos

Super Vero, Super Successful

For two decades already, company Veropoulos has been known on our market for its unique offer and high-quality products at promotional prices, but also...

Duško Lopandić Ph.D., Professional Diplomat And Expert On European Law And Regional Relations

Private Interest Above Those Of The Public

The scene and content of debates in the national assembly, or the state of certain media outlets, represent an illustration of the loss of the tradition of open social dialogue in the country, a lack of tolerance, free debate and the rights of minority political views, which form the basis of any democracy and democratic decision-making

This issue could perhaps be viewed from two perspectives: an international and domestic context. In the first case, the topic is an issue of the genuine sovereignty of a smaller country, specifically Serbia, in relations with influential international factors: either the great powers and/or great capital that “rule” the world. There’s no doubt that various international players have a certain influence on decision-making in certain cases, but I wouldn’t concur with the trite “barstool” comments that “foreigners make the most important final decisions” in Serbia.

The internal context relates to the issue of the functioning of the Serbian political system, which is demonstrating a significant degree of deviation from the letter of constitutional and legal solutions when it comes to formal and actual decision-making jurisdiction among individual institutions. The constitutional principle of dividing jurisdictions between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary is, in reality, not represented to a sufficient extent. Centralisation in the making of all important decisions, at either the state or local levels, is not even being hidden. Without free and broad debate, and the participation of the public in decision-making on important issues, it will prove all but impossible to avoid the negative consequences of mistaken decisions over the long run. As stated long ago: “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

There’s no doubt that various international players have a certain influence on decision-making in certain cases, but I wouldn’t concur with the trite “barstool” comments that “foreigners make the most important final decisions” in Serbia

In a “captured state”, central government or local institutions become the prey of partocracy, while decisions are often made that serve the private interests of smaller groups, to the detriment of the “res publica” principle. It could be noted that there are also good results, as well as progress in the areas of the economy or foreign policy of Serbia. On the other hand, the scene and content of some debates in the national assembly, or the state of certain media outlets, represent an illustration of the loss of the tradition of open social dialogue in the country, particularly when it comes to tolerance, free debate and the rights of minority political views or responsibilities towards the public, as the basis of every democracy and democratic decision-making.

Closer to everyday life, the examples of the building of skyscrapers right below Kalemegdan Fortress, investment works on the territory of Belgrade’s most important “water factory” in Makiš, or the insufficiently researched role of certain stakeholders in the rise and “results” of famous criminal groups, represent just a few examples of anonymous decision-making on important social issues, with huge deviating from the principles of respect for the interests of the public and responsibility towards citizens.

One should nonetheless hope that recent constitutional amendments, as well as the organising of the upcoming elections, will represent positive steps in the direct of the partial normalisation of the system in the sense of respect for jurisdiction over who decides on public issues and how.

Comment

Census Results Cause Concern

The Ministry of Education claims to be exerting ongoing efforts to reform education, but census results indicate the need for more work. The “Platform...

By Iva Draškić Vićanović Ph.D., Dean of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology

Restore Teachers’ Dignity

The proposals presented in our Platform are viable over the short term, require no large and lasting reforms and could lead to major visible...

Comment by Prof. dr Slobodan Zečević

The Mirage of the European Oasis

Serbia officially began EU accession negotiations in January 2014. Over the subsequent decade, 22 of the 35 accession negotiation chapters have been opened and...

Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia

Easier Access to the Western Balkans’ Single Market

The EU aims to involve Western Balkans partners with its Member States on equal terms, fostering a reform partnership that’s oriented towards the future...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Serbia Advances in Renewable Energy with Pupin Wind Park Financing

In a significant stride towards renewable energy adoption, Serbia has finalized the financial arrangements for the Pupin Wind Park,...

Đedović Handanović: Nuclear Energy in Serbia by 2039 at the Earliest

Nuclear energy in Serbia could become a reality by 2039 at the earliest, should work on the project commence...

Belgrade’s Hotel Jugoslavija Sold, Sparks Redevelopment Controversy

Belgrade's iconic Hotel Jugoslavija, located in Serbia's capital, has been sold for approximately €27 million to MV Investment, affiliated...

Bosnia and Herzegovina Kickstarts EU Membership Talks

Bosnia and Herzegovina has initiated accession negotiations with the European Union, a development hailed as a pivotal advancement for...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Belgrade University Partners with CERN on Future Circular Collider Project

The University of Belgrade has officially become part of CERN's largest scientific endeavor, the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project,...

Kushner Eyes Balkan Luxury Developments in Serbia and Albania

Jared Kushner, closely related to former U.S. President Donald Trump as his son-in-law, is turning his attention to the...

European Parliament Passes Groundbreaking AI Law

The European Parliament has adopted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, aiming to safeguard fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of...

European Parliament Members Endorse Western Balkan Reform and Growth Instrument

Members of the European Parliament's committees on foreign affairs and budget have officially adopted a stance on the Western...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Belgrade University Partners with CERN on Future Circular Collider Project

The University of Belgrade has officially become part of CERN's largest scientific endeavor, the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project,...

Kushner Eyes Balkan Luxury Developments in Serbia and Albania

Jared Kushner, closely related to former U.S. President Donald Trump as his son-in-law, is turning his attention to the...

European Parliament Passes Groundbreaking AI Law

The European Parliament has adopted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, aiming to safeguard fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of...

European Parliament Members Endorse Western Balkan Reform and Growth Instrument

Members of the European Parliament's committees on foreign affairs and budget have officially adopted a stance on the Western...
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