AMERICA ADOPTED THE LAW ON THE WESTERN BALKANS: Sanctions for corrupt leaders, Serbia fiercely criticized!

In Serbia, the “state of democracy is concerning,” and the conditions for holding elections are “unfair.” Officials accuse peaceful protesters, the opposition, and civil society of destabilizing the Government, and that is a “concerning claim that threatens the safety of important segments of Serbian society.”

Corruption is also concerning, among key political leaders.

These are, in short, the findings of the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, which was adopted in the House of Representatives of the US Congress last Wednesday.

This regulation is part of the broader National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2026 and was voted for by a total of 312 representatives (197 Republicans and 115 Democrats), while 112 were against.

The law has now been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, after which it will be sent to President Donald Trump for signing. Following the vote in the House of Representatives, the White House announced that “Trump will sign the law.”

Unlike earlier resolutions and declarative messages, this is a legal framework whose provisions become binding for the State Department and the Pentagon.

And the law not only politically assesses the situation in the region but also precisely defines the obligations of the US executive branch toward the states of the Western Balkans.

Western media wrote about the NDAA mostly in the context that it “insists on European defense, prohibiting the number of American soldiers on the continent from falling below 76,000 for a period longer than 45 days and blocking the withdrawal of key military equipment.”

The British Guardian writes that the adoption of the NDAA shows that the House of Representatives is moving toward deepening American resources for the Baltic states and strengthening the northeastern flank of NATO, and additionally solidifies aid to Ukraine in the amount of 400 million dollars.

The entire legal package amounts to 900 billion dollars, which is eight billion more than the amount requested by Trump, and among other things, it provides for a salary increase for members of the military and restrictions on American investments in China.

Western media did not report that this law defines American policy and that the proposed solutions become binding for the State Department and the Pentagon.

Unfair election conditions in Serbia

Of all the countries in the region, only Serbia is explicitly mentioned. In the findings of Congress, it is said that “parliamentary and local elections held in Serbia on December 17, 2023, and the events that followed cause deep concern regarding the state of democracy in Serbia.”

For this assessment, the USA refers to the final report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

It is further stated that the report identified “unfair conditions” for holding elections, “numerous procedural deficiencies, including inconsistent application of protective mechanisms during voting and counting, as well as frequent cases of overcrowded polling stations. Violations of the secrecy of voting and numerous cases of group voting were also identified.

“The OSCE also noted that Serbian officials accused primarily peaceful protesters, opposition parties, and civil society of ‘trying to destabilize the government,’ which is a concerning claim that threatens the safety of important segments of Serbian society,” the Law states.

Corruption among key political leaders and under autocratic control

The countries of the Western Balkans are defined as “key to peace, stability, and prosperity of the European continent.”

As one of the threats to this, corruption is highlighted, “including among key political leaders,” as well as “disinformation campaigns” which are said to “undermine the credibility of democratic institutions, including the integrity of elections.”

Serbia could be recognized in this sense because the initial findings of Congress say that “corruption and disinformation spread in political environments marked by autocratic control or partisan conflicts.”

Regarding corruption, it is said that it “continues to burden the Western Balkans and represents one of the greatest obstacles to the further economic and political development of the region.”

Sanctions within 90 days

In that sense, one of the most important tools provided by this law is sanctions.

It is provided that the President of the USA introduces sanctions “no later than 90 days from the date of entry into force of this law” against any foreign person determined to be “involved or has attempted to be involved in corruption related to the Western Balkans.”

This includes “corruption by or on behalf of a government in the Western Balkans, or a current or former state official in the Western Balkans.”

Sanctions are also provided for persons and “policies that threaten the peace, security, stability, or territorial integrity of any area or state in the Western Balkans.”

Sanctions can also be introduced against persons who undermine democratic processes or institutions, as well as for serious violations of human rights. Sanctions can include the blocking of property and the revocation of visas. These are, therefore, presidential obligations provided by this law. On the other hand, the US Secretary of State, as prescribed, is obliged to develop the Anti-Corruption Initiative through existing and new programs.

That initiative should include technical assistance, exchange of best practices, and training for civilian law enforcement agencies, judicial institutions, and other relevant administrative bodies. It was highlighted that it is necessary to strengthen the existing national anti-corruption strategy “in order to fight against political corruption, especially in the judiciary, independent bodies for election oversight, and public procurement procedures.”