Serbian Opposition Slams Anti-Corruption Agency as 'Tool of Authorities'

Serbian opposition members on a parliamentary committee sharply criticized the Anti-Corruption Agency, labeling it a "cudgel in the hands of the authorities" that implements the ruling party's agenda. Miroslav Aleksić, a lawmaker from the People's Movement of Serbia, argued that the agency has failed to combat corruption effectively. He pointed to a single conviction in 2025 and Serbia's slide to 116th place on Transparency International's corruption index, the lowest in the region.

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The Anti-Corruption Agency is a cudgel in the hands of the authorities implementing their policy.

Aleksić questioned the agency's expenditure of 422 million dinars from the 2025 budget, suggesting the funds were misused given the lack of tangible results. He specifically challenged the agency's director, Dejan Damjanović, about the failure to investigate the reported assets of officials, citing an example of a public functionary with a nearly half-million-euro apartment.

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There are no results from the Agency, corruption today is killing the state of Serbia, the citizens of Serbia.

Dušan Nikezić of the Party of Freedom and Justice echoed these criticisms, emphasizing the agency's limited role in verifying officials' wealth. He noted that the agency merely records and publishes declared assets rather than actively investigating discrepancies. Nikezić also accused the ruling Serbian Progressive Party of exploiting illegal humanitarian aid during election campaigns for 14 years without agency repercussions, and highlighted the engagement of 300 officials in campaign activities without accountability.

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The Agency does not check assets and does not use its powers.