How Corruption Is Stalling Progress and Jeopardizing Serbia’s EU Future
In November 2024, the collapse of the Novi Sad train station ceiling killed 15 people and exposed deep-rooted issues of corruption and governance in Serbia. This tragic event is more than just a failure of infrastructure; it’s a symptom of systemic corruption, negligence, and mismanagement. The repercussions stretch far beyond Serbia’s borders, posing significant challenges to its European Union (EU) accession efforts.
The Novi Sad Train Station Collapse: A Tragic Symbol of Negligence
Shattered concrete, Twisted steel beams jutted from piles of rubble, and thick clouds of dust blanketed the air—this was the apocalyptic scene that greeted rescue workers at Novi Sad train station on November 1, 2024. Ambulances wailed through the city as firefighters braved unstable ruins, their faces streaked with soot and sweat. Among the chaos lay the lifeless bodies of 15 victims underneath, while dozens of injured clung to life amidst the debris. The air was heavy with the acrid scent of burning wires, and the anguished cries of survivors echoed through the cold autumn morning.
The renovation of the Novi Sad train station, completed in early 2023, was promoted as a flagship infrastructure project. However, post-collapse investigations revealed a damning trail of negligence: substandard materials, poorly supervised construction, and opaque public procurement practices.
“Public procurement is always sensitive to corruption, especially in candidate countries,” said Dr. Nathan, an expert in European law and governance. He highlighted that mismanagement of funds and lack of transparency in projects like Novi Sad demonstrate “why governance reforms are critical for EU accession.”
Reporter, G. S. (2024, November 1). Roof 1
Corruption in Serbia: A Persistent Systemic Issue
Corruption remains a defining challenge in Serbia’s political and economic landscape. According to Transparency International, Serbia ranked 96th out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index in 2023, marking a significant decline compared to its regional peers. An estimated 20% of all public procurement contracts are manipulated, costing taxpayers billions of euros annually. These practices contribute to a widespread perception that corruption is more entrenched now than at any time since the fall of Slobodan Milošević. Infrastructure projects, such as the Novi Sad station renovation exemplify this issue.
Despite high-profile arrests, including the Minister of Construction, activists argue that these actions are superficial. “Accountability can’t just mean a few scapegoats,” said Radovan, an editor at the Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability (CRTA), one of Serbia’s leading NGOs. “The entire system enabling this culture of corruption needs dismantling.”
Faggionato, G. (2024, August 11). Huge lithium-mining protest triggers crisis meeting in Serbia. POLITICO. https://www.politico.eu/article/huge-lithium-mining-protest-triggers-crisis-meeting-in-serbia/
“Vucic out”: Serbian protesters keep heat on government | Reuters. (2023, June 17). https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/vucic-out-serbian-protesters-keep-heat-government-2023-06-17/
Serbia’s EU Accession: A Stalled Journey
Serbia’s EU membership prospects hinge on meeting stringent governance, transparency, and anti-corruption benchmarks outlined in the Copenhagen Criteria. While Serbia has made some progress, systemic issues remain glaring roadblocks.
