Part 2/8:
Over the past decade, many countries in Southeastern Europe have experienced a decline in democratic standards, increased corruption, and rising authoritarian tendencies, a phenomenon often referred to as "state capture." This term describes a scenario where corrupt politicians manipulate state resources for personal gain. Reports from organizations such as Transparency International have consistently indicated that corruption remains pervasive in the region, with the corruption perception index recording scores below 60 for most Balkan countries, indicating high levels of corruption.