Ruslan Stefanov, Director of the Economic Program at the Center for Study of Democracy and SELDI Knowledge and Outreach coordinator took part at the Western Balkans Summit, held on 6-8 December 2019 in Sofia. The summit was organised by the New Direction Foundation and the International Republican Institute, and aimed at strengthening the transatlantic community’s support to the Western Balkans’ democracies. The event featured discussions about the current state of security in the region, NATO accession, and the disinformation campaigns that exacerbate existing social fissures.
Ruslan Stefanov presented SELDI’s recommendations for tackling corruption and state capture through civil society oversight, prosecution of high-level cases and improving the functioning of the law enforcement institutions. He also highlighted the governance gaps and social vulnerabilities that threaten the democracy and the rule of law in the region, and allow authoritarian regimes to exert economic and political influence.
