Comparative Analysis and Reflection on Electoral Processes in the Balkan Countries Period 2011-2021

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis in the development of representative democracy in the Balkan countries. The analysis is based on published assessments of the Electoral Integrity Index, Democracy Index, Economic Development and Corruption, for the period 2011-2021. Referring to perceptions of the level of fulfillment of international standards for democratic elections (PEI), the Balkan region is classified in the group of countries belonging to the "Moderate" category. Slovenia, Greece, Romania and Croatia are classified in the category "Very high / high", Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Kosovo in the category "Moderate" and BiH, North Macedonia in the category "Very low / Low". Election campaign financing and campaign media coverage are among the indicators with the lowest level in meeting the standards. In Balkan region countries, the connection between the electoral process and the development of liberal democracy is clearly evident. The connection between the level of economic development and elections in the Western Balkan countries is not evident. The level of corruption is a factor that has an effect on the electoral process in all Balkan countries. Based on the effects of mutual action and interaction between indicators that reflect the electoral process, the development of liberal democracy, overall economic development and corruption, the ranking clearly shows the distances between the Western Balkan countries and those of Slovenia, Greece, Romania, Croatia.

Received: 14 January 2023 / Accepted: 14 March 2023 / Published: 20 March 2023