Transparency International sets Bosnia's anti-corruption priorities for 2026 - EXCLUSIVE
CE Report presents an exclusive interview with Damjan Ožegović, Senior researcher / Legal Affairs Associate at Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina, discussing the state of corruption in the country, the factors behind its poor ranking in Europe, and the organization’s assessment of anti-corruption efforts, challenges, and recommendations for the future.
What were the key factors and indicators used to determine Bosnia and Herzegovina’s ranking as the second most corrupt country in Europe?
The Corruption Perception Index scores and ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt a country’s public sector is perceived to be by experts and business executives. It is a composite index, a combination of at least 3 and up to 13 surveys and assessments of corruption, collected by a variety of reputable institutions. The CPI is the most widely used indicator of corruption worldwide.
With a latest CPI score of 33, BiH has recorded a drop of as much as 9 points in a ten-year period and is ranked 114th out of 180 countries in the world, which is BiH's worst result since this Index was measured. Bosnia and Herzegovina has this result because it acts as a state in which there is a semblance of democracy, in which the integrity of the electoral process is violated. Ruling parties increasingly openly use practices of non-transparent campaign financing and manipulate the rules of the electoral process by buying votes, intimidation and abuse of state-owned resources. The judiciary is exposed to political pressure, which is why it is generally not capable of prosecuting and sanctioning public officials who abuse their position. On the other hand, the willingness of politicians to silence civil society organizations through legislative measures that criminalize defamation, put pressure on civil society and sanction anyone who expresses any form of criticism contributes to the image that a combination of corruption and repression is the basic way to stay in power.
How does Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina assess the progress or setbacks in anti-corruption efforts during 2025?
There can be no talk of any progress in the fight against corruption during 2025. Moreover, the authorities have seriously worked to undermine existing capacities and collapse democratic institutions. Not a single reform law has been adopted, the protection of corruption whistleblowers is at an extremely low level and there are almost no whistleblowers and the priorities for the country to fulfil in view of opening EU accession negotiations have not been met.
What specific sectors or institutions are considered most vulnerable to corruption, and what measures are being recommended to address these vulnerabilities?
Јudiciary, which should be the key bearer of the fight against corruption, has become the main source of the problem and is unable to cope even with corruption within its own ranks.
The judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to yield to corruption - sentences are dominated by suspended sentences, investigations are suspended, acquittals are more frequent and the number of convictions for high corruption has decreased compared to last year. According to the latest data, some prosecutor's offices were left without a single indictment for criminal acts of high corruption, while the mild penal policy and the trend of decreasing the number of indictments confirm the worrying unwillingness of institutions to seriously oppose corruption.
How does Transparency International monitor and support the implementation of anti-corruption policies and reforms in the country?
TI in BiH works in three ways. The first is monitoring and reporting irregularities to the competent authorities, the second is advocacy activities that arise from what is observed through monitoring, while the third is education, through the School of Integrity, the Academy of Women's Political Empowerment, etc.
What priorities or recommendations does the organization suggest for 2026 to improve Bosnia and Herzegovina’s standing in anti-corruption efforts?
Strengthening judicial Independence and efficiency would be the first step to take, where vetting is not excluded, then comes reform of political party financing and promotion of public sector integrity and accountability. TI calls for greater accountability in the public sector, including clear systems for reporting misconduct and strengthening control systems within public institutions. Public officials should be held accountable for their actions, and there should be consequences for unethical behavior.
Photo: Transparency International
This interview was prepared by Julian Müller
