The influence of EU conditionality on the democratisation patterns of candidate countries in Western Balkans. The case of Albania and Serbia.

This thesis examines the impact of the European Union's (EU) conditionality policy on democratization and the rule of law (ROL) in Western Balkan countries seeking EU accession, focusing on the cases of Albania and Serbia. The research question I aim to answer is “To what extent has the EU's conditionality policy influenced democratization and the rule of law in Western Balkan countries seeking EU accession, and what are the implications for the accession process?” By critically assessing the EU's conditionality policy within the broader context of the EU enlargement strategy, this study investigates how the requirement for candidate states to reform themselves to meet EU standards has influenced their internal politics over time. Drawing on literature reviews and empirical data from sources such as the Freedom House, the thesis evaluates the promotion of democracy in the Western Balkans and the implementation of democratic recruitment in Albania and Serbia. Theoretical frameworks analyze EU institutions' efforts to improve democracy in accession countries, while empirical comparisons offer insights into the political elements shaping each country's progress toward EU membership. By examining factors contributing to delays in accession and the challenges faced by these countries in meeting EU democratic standards, this research highlights implications for the accession process and offers recommendations for enhancing democratization and ROL in the Western Balkans.