This policy brief underscores outstanding issues that emerged during
the COVID-19 crisis with possible long-term consequences on the
functioning of democracy and rule of law in the six countries of the
Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo,
Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. This paper specifically
addresses the impact of the crisis on the functioning of democratic
institutions, the judiciary, fundamental rights and freedoms,
transparency, civil society, and the media, and continues to assess its
impact on the social and political climates in each country of the region.
The report identifies country-specific as well as common issues that
should be monitored closely going forward.

This policy brief is drafted by the Think for Europe Network (TEN) members.