The crisis of democracy in the Western Balkans has fueled popular discontent, damaged the appeal of the European Union, and opened the way to the geopolitical influence of other actors. Since Russia’s 2022 aggression on Ukraine, EU enlargement policy has taken on a security dimension. The relationship between the European Union and candidate states is seen increasingly as a security issue and, accordingly, it is unlikely that such a relationship will sustain further democratic consolidation, improvements in the rule of law, and respect for human rights. Instead,‘stabilitocracy,’nationalist politics, and state capture are likely to remain the defining characteristics of the political life of Western Balkan states.
Belloni, R. (2026). The Western Balkans on the (Slow) Train to Europe. Berlin/Boston : de Gruyter.
The Western Balkans on the (Slow) Train to Europe
Roberto Belloni
2026
Abstract
The crisis of democracy in the Western Balkans has fueled popular discontent, damaged the appeal of the European Union, and opened the way to the geopolitical influence of other actors. Since Russia’s 2022 aggression on Ukraine, EU enlargement policy has taken on a security dimension. The relationship between the European Union and candidate states is seen increasingly as a security issue and, accordingly, it is unlikely that such a relationship will sustain further democratic consolidation, improvements in the rule of law, and respect for human rights. Instead,‘stabilitocracy,’nationalist politics, and state capture are likely to remain the defining characteristics of the political life of Western Balkan states.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
