Sweden Cuts Aid to Serbian Government Over Corruption, Redirecting Support to Civil Society

The Swedish government has announced a strategic decision to redirect its development aid provided to Serbia, citing the Serbian government's failure to make effective progress in combating "worsening corruption" and upholding the principles of the rule of law. This shift essentially means halting some of the support directed specifically to government authorities, and allocating these funds more intensively toward strengthening Serbian civil society organizations.

The Swedish government confirmed in its statement that it "closely monitors developments in Serbia," and has observed clear and continuous shortcomings in the Serbian government's willingness to undertake necessary reforms in key areas such as fighting corruption, ensuring the rule of law, freedom of expression, and press freedom.

Benjamin Dousa, the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, provided a strong justification for the decision, severely criticizing the "worsening corruption and lack of respect for the principles of the rule of law" in Serbia. Dousa warned that "countries cannot expect Swedish support if they do not achieve the reforms and development we expect," establishing the principle of linking aid to commitments to democratic reforms and good governance.

Serbian Reaction and Fueling Protests

In response, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret over Sweden's announcement, asserting—in an official statement—that "tangible progress has been achieved in many areas." The Ministry requested that "any assessment of reform efforts be based on objective indicators, not political narratives or media interpretations."

This Swedish decision comes against a backdrop of wide internal turmoil in Serbia. The country recently marked the one-year anniversary of the roof collapse at the railway station in Novi Sad (its second-largest city) on November 1st last year, a tragic incident that claimed the lives of 16 people. This accident, for opponents of President Aleksandar Vučić, has become a "symbol of deep-rooted corruption" and mismanagement in the country, sparking continuous mass protests.

Since the incident, Serbia has seen regular student protests calling for a transparent investigation, which have quickly broadened to include demands for early elections. Although the protests led to the resignation of the Prime Minister, the collapse of his government, and the formation of a new one, the nationalist President Vučić has remained defiantly in office.

Amidst the tension, Vučić has consistently described the demonstrators as "foreign-funded coup plotters," while members of his party—the Socialist Party of Serbia—have promoted conspiracy theories, alleging that the railway station roof collapse might have been a "premeditated attack." In an international move supporting the demonstrators, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in late October supporting the "rights of Serbian students and citizens to peaceful protest" while clearly condemning "state repression."