Bulgaria
Voters prepare to punish their ruling parties in European Parliament elections
Following domestic political scandals in several Central and Southeast European member states, many voters just want to give their ruling parties a kicking in this week's EU-wide vote.
Golden keys to the EU’s back door
While EU members are taking steps to end or phase out investment for citizenship programmes, the opposite is happening in some potential future members.
Poland leads CEE charge against “centralised” and “multi-speed” EU
Warsaw wants the EU to devolve more powers to national governments and opposes deeper integration of some – mostly Western – member states in specific policy areas.
Arming and rearming: Military spending grows across CEE and SEE in 2018
Russia’s expenditure falls for a second year, even though Moscow fears are driving defence outlays elsewhere. Turkey committed a league-topping 24% more while Iran spent 9.5% less on its armed forces as US tightened economic noose.
COMMENT: CEE Fintech Atlas: Old narratives are changing, innovations may flow now from East to West
After nearly three decades since the end of the socialist experiment many countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have made enormous progress, but they are still catching up to their western peers. But not in fintech.
COLCHIS: Media Sustainability in Eurasia: What does the Data Say?
Southeast Europe enjoys a largely free and vibrant press, but an index developed by consultant Keshif shows that the press is coming under pressure and diversity and quality are slipping.
Bulgaria probes EU-funded guest houses as "Apartmentgate" scandal widens
Revelations that top politicians had bought high-end apartments for a fraction of their value shocked Bulgaria. Now prosecutors suspect EU rural development funds were used to build luxury villas.