The worldwide freedom index shows a critical alert which indicates that people no longer consider democratic government as the standard form of rule. People have observed civil rights gradually diminishing for two decades which led to a democratic decline that reduced Free society coverage from 50 percent to 21 percent of the world’s population.
Freedom House has tracked a two-decade decline in political rights which has affected all countries around the world. The autocratic rulers have developed advanced methods to use technological tools and disinformation together with legal warfare to destroy democratic systems from inside their own countries.
However, the Western Balkans now present an intricate situation which displays different patterns of development. The Freedom House “Freedom in the World 2026” report states that the region functions as a “Partly Free” stronghold which protects itself from complete breakdown while missing the opportunity to achieve full democratic status. The region experiences two opposing trends as some countries make progress through determination while other countries fall into a severe crisis which shows that this area never has stable foundations.
Albania and Montenegro constitute the region’s leading countries for democratic competition. Their assessment results indicate that they are about to achieve status as “Free” countries. Albania maintains its position as the regional top performer after adding one point to achieve 69 points. The “victory” exists in a continuous battle between two forces which operate through corrupt practices and which control media platforms through financial and political pressure. The nation operates its democratic system through election processes and legal framework establishment still it lacks essential national identity. Albania requires more than minor changes to its laws for entry into the 70s because the nation requires a fundamental cultural transformation which establishes rule of law as an essential agreement between the government and its citizens.
Montenegro with 68 points still faces difficulties because its power structure remains in its early stages of development, the system now allows for regular leader changes, but state institutions still face the danger of being controlled by specific groups. However the reform trajectory performed better than the other countries in the Western Balkans.
Political divisions in North Macedonia with 67 points function as an ongoing obstacle which prevents the country from making any advancements. The institutions responsible for safeguarding democracy in both countries are facing a critical test – one that will ultimately determine their resilience and their ability to ensure a sustainable, long-lasting future. Moreover, the country continues to struggle with corruption and pressure on the journalists and media such as receiving threats.
Kosovo with 61 points offers the most intense story of the year. The country spent much of 2025 into a muscle which required daily exercise which operated under its long-standing “acting” administration. In most countries, such political vacuums exist as breeding grounds which allow authoritarian governments to gain control. The Kosovo judiciary system became the central character of the story. The report identifies increasing independence in the courts which showed the third power branch has the strength to withstand political pressures. The development stands as a vital indication of progress which happens infrequently. The “Partly Free” status continues to exert a strong influence. The country cannot sustain its democratic system through “acting” officials because their presence has established a permanent institutional deadlock since 2025 which limits national progress to greater achievements.
Serbia with 53 points operates as a regional indicator because its current status shows that all five nearby nations either maintain their present status or achieve higher results. The country which once led democratic transitions now faces its most profound democratic decline since 2025 which leaves it behind Bosnia and Herzegovina with 54 points. The report shows Belgrade to be in a state of dire existence. The state has reached a critical point because its citizens now lack protection from political violence while independent journalists face ongoing threats and authorities maintain control over electoral processes. Serbia’s current path demonstrates that democratic governance can be lost through rapid dismantling which occurs at the same speed as its initial establishment. The backward economic movement of the region’s largest economy leads to a dangerous economic situation that threatens to pull Western Balkans countries into a period of controlled authoritarian rule.
Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to be defined by its unique constitutional gridlock. The country shows permanent “Partly Free” status because it succeeded in preventing the severe drop that occurred in Serbia. The government operates poorly while ethnic groups fight each other which prevents citizens from enjoying their civil rights, thus hindering the nation from becoming a proper functioning state.
The 2026 Freedom House report serves as a scorecard which requires active response from organizations instead of merely celebrating their achievements. The Balkans region which contains “Partly Free” countries shows improvement through a one-point increase which serves as evidence of progress but not complete success. The 2027 goal should exceed the threshold of basic statistical changes. The Balkans region exists in a state of precariousness. The democratic movement has persisted through yet another year but our only secure path forward leads to an opposite destination. Democracy is a muscle which requires daily exercise because it does not function as a trophy we win once and keep forever. The 2026 message explains that progress remains achievable but it will not happen without effort.
Arta Haxhixhemajli
Researcher at The Balkan Forum
