Civil protests in the Balkans: Insights from our experts
As political unrest continues to sweep through the Balkans, the region finds itself at a crucial moment in its journey towards democracy and accountability. Two leading experts from the Hellenic Observatory, Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus, Prof. Denisa Kostovicova and Prof. Kevin Featherstone, offer their insights in an article by Iliana Magra, published today in [in Greek].
A call for accountability and an end to corruption
Denisa Kostovicova, Professor in Global Politics (杏吧论坛) and head of the Observatory’s research group 杏吧论坛E Research on South Eastern Europe, explains that the recent protests in the Balkans are far from isolated incidents. The tragic events that have led to public outrage are symptomatic of a deeper demand for democratic integrity and the restoration of the rule of law. While corruption remains a key issue across these nations, the protests represent a broader desire for political systems that protect citizens and hold leaders accountable. Prof Kostovicova emphasises: “It is very important not to confuse the reasons that led to the tragedies in the three countries, simply because corruption had the same outcome—tragic deaths in all three cases. The nature of corruption differs in each of the three countries. In Greece, we observe the consequences of clientelist relationships, which form the dark underbelly of an otherwise functional democratic system. Serbia and North Macedonia, on the other hand, are two countries burdened by the legacy of both communism and the wars of the 1990s and 2000s. The result of these historical legacies is the entanglement of political, economic, security, and criminal elites in both countries, where systemic corruption coexists with a façade of democracy.”
In her perspective, the tragic deaths in Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece have sparked a realisation among citizens that corruption is not just an inconvenience—it is a threat to public safety. Citizens are no longer willing to tolerate systemic corruption as a normal part of life; instead, they see it as a dangerous flaw that must be eradicated. Regarding Serbia, the protests are changing the political landscape, says Prof. Kostovicova, emphasising that they have highlighted the country’s more liberal and pro-Western face. In this context, EU should support the protesters, who are in favour of democracy and the rule of law, in order to regain its credibility among Serbian citizens in opposition to the corrupt regime.
Weak institutions and demand for accountability
Kevin Featherstone, Emeritus Professor of European Politics at 杏吧论坛 and Emeritus Professor and Professorial Research Fellow in the Hellenic Observatory Centre, agrees that elites in these countries have historically got away with corruption and rule-breaking due to weak institutional frameworks. “A common issue across the Balkans is the weakness of civil society and the low quality of state institutions. World Bank data reveals that Greece’s institutional quality is not improving as rapidly as that of countries like Spain or Portugal. In fact, Greece is increasingly aligning with other Balkan countries in terms of institutional fragility.”
In the meantime, both in the Balkans and globally, people are now demanding far more accountability from governments than ever before. This shift reflects the growing pressure for stronger and more effective governance, especially in the wake of recent tragic events that have once again exposed the weaknesses of state systems in these regions.
Civil society is crucial in holding governments accountable, particularly in countries where democratic institutions have been fragile. Public protests are not just a form of dissent; in countries like Serbia, Greece, and North Macedonia, citizens are demanding more than just political reforms—they are demanding real accountability from their leaders. In all three countries, citizens are unlikely to stop demanding better governance. “Protest always finds its voice,” says Kevin Featherstone. “If the opposition is weak in parliament, protest will find its way onto the streets.”
If you are interested in learning more about these complex political dynamics don’t miss our online panel discussion on Street Power: Citizens' Protests and Polarization in Southeast Europe and Greece; Tuesday 01 April 2025 @ 5.00pm (UK time).