Fact Check: Serbia is a full democracy.

Fact Check: "Serbia is a full democracy."

What We Know

The claim that Serbia is a full democracy is contradicted by multiple sources that highlight significant issues in the country's political landscape. According to a report by Freedom House, Serbia's democracy score was downgraded from 3.79 to 3.61 on a scale from 1 to 7, marking the largest drop in a decade and indicating a decline in democratic standards. The report emphasizes that while there was a return of opposition participation in elections, the electoral process remains flawed, with issues such as prolonged result determinations and media bias against opposition parties.

Furthermore, a recent article from the Associated Press notes that many pro-democracy activists in Serbia feel "betrayed" by both their government and the European Union, citing a shift towards authoritarianism under President Aleksandar Vučić's administration (AP News). This sentiment is echoed by various opposition leaders who describe the current political environment as increasingly hostile to dissent, with reports of threats against activists and a lack of media freedom (Freedom House).

Analysis

The evidence strongly suggests that Serbia does not meet the criteria of a full democracy. The downgrade in Serbia's democracy score by Freedom House indicates a significant deterioration in political freedoms and civil liberties, which are essential components of a democratic society (Freedom House). The report highlights that while the opposition returned to the electoral process, the conditions under which they operated were still marred by the same issues that led to their previous boycott, such as media bias and electoral manipulation.

Additionally, the Associated Press article illustrates the growing authoritarian tendencies in Serbia, with President Vučić's government being accused of undermining democratic institutions and stifling opposition voices (AP News). The lack of a free press, as noted in the Freedom House report, further complicates the situation, as media outlets are often controlled or influenced by the state, limiting the public's access to diverse political opinions and information (Freedom House).

The credibility of these sources is strong, as both Freedom House and the Associated Press are reputable organizations known for their rigorous research and reporting on democracy and human rights issues. Their findings are corroborated by various reports and analyses from other credible institutions, including the Global State of Democracy and the Journal of Democracy, which also highlight the decline of democratic norms in Serbia.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that Serbia is a full democracy is not supported by the current political realities in the country. Significant democratic backsliding, a lack of media freedom, and the suppression of political opposition indicate that Serbia does not fulfill the criteria necessary to be classified as a full democracy.

Sources

1. Serbian democracy activists feel betrayed as freedoms, and a path to ...
2. Serbia: Nations in Transit 2023 Country Report - Freedom House
3. Serbia - The Global State of Democracy
4. Key findings of the 2023 Report on Serbia - EU u Srbiji
5. PDF Opinion poll report: socio-political views of Serbian citizens in 2023
6. Serbia's democracy score downgraded by Freedom House due to 2023 ...
7. PDF Democracy and Human Rights Serbian Elections 2023
8. Why Aspiring Autocrats Are Watching Serbia - Journal of Democracy