Belgrade Spent Over €85 Million on Contracts Without Public Tenders in 2025
The City of Belgrade, through its secretariats, entered into contracts totaling at least 85 million euros in 2025 without conducting public procurement procedures. This significant expenditure bypasses the standard public tender process, which is designed to ensure transparency and competition in government contracts. The report from Nova Ekonomija highlights that these agreements were made outside the regulated framework of public bidding. This practice raises questions about the allocation of public funds and adherence to procurement laws. The specific details of the contracts, the entities involved, and the services or goods procured are not fully elaborated in the provided information. However, the substantial sum indicates a considerable portion of the city's budget was committed through non-competitive means.
The City of Belgrade's reported expenditure of over 85 million euros on contracts awarded without public tenders in 2025 warrants scrutiny regarding governance and fiscal responsibility. Bypassing public procurement processes, while potentially offering speed, can undermine competitive market principles, potentially leading to suboptimal value for taxpayer money and increased risk of impropriety. Future policy considerations might focus on strengthening oversight mechanisms for emergency or direct contracting, ensuring clear justification and public accountability for such deviations from standard procedures. Examining the long-term implications for public trust and efficient resource allocation is crucial as cities navigate evolving administrative and economic landscapes.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.