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In the past several years Serbia has backslid in numerous areas in a ranking of democratic development, especially in the areas of access to justice, freedom of assembly and association, as well as the personal integrity of security, the latest report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) shows.
The report titled, The Global State of Democracy 2026, released on Sept. 15, says that the regression is the consequence of recently adjusted legislation that undermines the autonomy of prosecutors and limits civic space. It points out the continuous pressure on civic space, the media and civil society in Serbia demand watchful attention. Given that Serbia is engaged in the process of joining the EU, the criteria for membership that pertain to the rule of law give the Union significant power in requesting that these limitations be annulled.
It adds that officials in Serbia cited claims of the poor running of USAID by U.S. President Donald Trump to justify incursions into civil society organizations.
Serbia ranks 108thout of 173 countries in terms of representation, 81st in the category of rights, 80th in rule of law, 87th in participation according to the Stockholm-based organization's latest report.
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