Bosnia drops to second-worst spot in Europe on corruption index

A major factor in Bosnia’s decline is the erosion of electoral integrity, with repeated allegations of fraud undermining recent elections. The country now ranks alongside authoritarian regimes where leadership never changes through elections. Amendments to electoral laws imposed by the High Representative failed to address the issue, as the Central Election Commission has largely neutralized measures meant to curb abuses.

The government, facing a legitimacy crisis, has intensified pressure on critics. This is particularly evident in Republika Srpska, where authorities have passed repressive laws to silence independent media and NGOs. Transparency International (TI) warns that strong democratic institutions are essential in combating corruption, with fully democratic nations averaging a CPI score of 73, failing democracies at 47, and authoritarian regimes at 33—the exact score Bosnia received.

This year’s CPI report also highlights the link between corruption and environmental degradation. In Bosnia, scandals such as the Jablanica disaster and issues in Bistrica, Lopare, Ozren, and Vares underscore how authorities prioritize private profits over public health and safety. TI BiH data shows that poor regulation allows individuals to profit from state resources while avoiding obligations, depriving the country of fair revenue from its natural wealth.

Bosnia’s judicial system remains its weakest point. TI’s regional report notes that planned reforms still have significant flaws, particularly in judicial appointments and asset verification for judges and prosecutors. Although some high-ranking officials in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina were convicted last year, the judiciary has failed to address the country’s biggest corruption scandals.

Urgent reforms are needed. TI has outlined key steps, including regulating conflicts of interest, protecting whistleblowers, increasing executive branch oversight, strengthening judicial independence, and improving electoral laws—measures that align with Bosnia’s EU integration goals.