Southeast Europe / News
Backlash against efforts to force citizens to get vaccinated in Southeast Europe
As low vaccination rates facilitated a new wave of the pandemic, governments are barring entry to malls, night clubs and other venues to those without a coronavirus certificate.
Constitutional crisis looms in Romania
With a no-confidence motion in limbo at the Constitutional Court and PM Florin Citu seeking to bypass a vote by lawmakers on the minority government he wants to install, a constitutional crisis seems unavoidable in Romania.
Tension in Kosovo escalates following car plates tit-for-tat measure against Serbia
Protests erupt after drivers from Serbia are forced to replace their license plates with temporary ones to enter Kosovo.
Azerbaijani, Turkish and Pakistani war games appear to prompt Iran to move infantry to border
Representative of Iranian supreme leader warns Azerbaijan to not “play with the lion’s tail”.
Romania’s leading insurer City Insurance heads towards bankruptcy after losing license
Romania’s Financial Supervisory Authority to start bankruptcy procedures against City after it failed to increase its capital by €150mn as required by the regulator.
World Bank drops Doing Business report after alleged pressure from Bulgaria-born IMF chief to favour China
Investigation says Kristalina Georgieva, then a high-ranking World Bank official, and former former Bulgarian finance minister Simeon Dyankov pressured officials to improve China’s position. Georgieva denies the accusations.
Hundreds of Turkish medical company bosses and workers throw keys to ground in unpaid debts demo
State hospitals said to owe firms hundreds of millions of dollars. Company bosses warn they are losing financial ability to sustain supply chain.
Montenegro’s ruling coalition split over government reshuffle
Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic's government again at risk of collapse as two of the formations behind it demand a reshuffle.
Bulgaria’s popular caretaker PM Yanev to head next interim cabinet
Yanev will remain in the PM position until the November general election after his ministers’ efforts to root out high-level corruption made it the most popular cabinet in decades.
Merkel says EU should “keep its word” in relations with accession candidates
After EU accession progress was blocked by Bulgaria, Albanian PM Edi Rama tells German chancellor Western Balkans are “held hostage” by nationalism in EU countries.
Radical right Sovereignists vow to force referendum over Croatia’s euro adoption
As Croatia moves towards euro adoption, Croatian Sovereignists are preparing to battle to defend the kuna.
Iran refers to ‘illegality’ of Turkish presence in Caspian Sea military drills
Tehran concerned at how special forces from Turkey linked up with Azerbaijani counterparts.
Merkel says EU enlargement to Western Balkans is “absolute geostrategic interest”
On farewell visit to Belgrade, Germany’s outgoing chancellor warns that if EU doesn’t move fast enough it will be "forced to come to terms with other partners” in the region.
Romania's Fondul Proprietatea says state may deprive it of 19% stake in Bucharest Airports
Investment fund says management of Bucharest Airports National Company wants to dilute its stake to 0.7% through the capitalisation of an overvalued plot of land used by Baneasa airport.
North Macedonia’s health minister offers resignation over fire in COVID-19 hospital
Fire in a makeshift COVID-19 hospital in Tetovo killed 15 people.
Croatia, Serbia and Ukraine were emerging markets with biggest upgrades from Fitch over last five years
The three emerging Europe countries bucked the overall trend of declining Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Ratings seen across emerging markets.
Bulgaria’s president to schedule snap general election for November 14
Shakeout in the polls ahead of Bulgaria’s third general election of 2021 sees ITN’s support slump, while Democratic Bulgaria’s popularity rises.
Moldova’s parliament moves to put key agencies under its own control
Government will be able to dismiss the heads of Moldova's energy and financial markets regulators as it seeks to clean the system of corrupt officials — but critics say it threatens their independence.
Serbia starts building Europe’s first Sinopharm vaccine plant
Serbia the first country in Europe to produce both Sinopharm and Russian Sputnik V vaccines for its own population and the region.
At least 14 died in fire at makeshift COVID-19 hospital in North Macedonia
Fire broke out in Tetovo, where low vaccination rates led to a severe fourth wave of the pandemic, overwhelming local hospitals.
