Southeast Europe / News

Bulgaria moves towards sixth snap general election since 2021

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia March 27, 2024

Agreement between Gerb and CC-DB for a joint government with a rotating PM has broken down.

Council of Europe committee gives the nod for Kosovo's admission, angering Serbia

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje March 27, 2024

President Aleksandar Vucic has warned Serbia may quit the Council of Europe if Kosovo gains membership.

Romania’s budget deficit up sharply as public spending spirals

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest March 27, 2024

The general government budget deficit rose by 70% y/y to €5.8bn, one-third of the full-year deficit target, in the first two months of 2024.

Over 22,000 Serbs sign petition to save bombed Belgrade landmark from Kushner development plans

bne IntelliNews March 26, 2024

Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former US president Donald Trump, plans to develop the site of the General Staff building, bombed by Nato in 1999.

Moscow terror attack suspects likely received instructions in Turkey, Russian daily reports

Akin Nazli in Belgrade March 25, 2024

Ankara confirms two of accused entered Turkey, but denies they were radicalised while there.

Serbia threatens to quit Council of Europe if Kosovo is allowed to join

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje March 24, 2024

Belgrade does not recognise Kosovo's independence and has lobbied intensively to keep the new country out out international organisations.

Bulgaria moves closer to deal on selling Russian-made reactors to Ukraine

bne IntelliNews March 24, 2024

Reactors originally intended for Belene NPP project now likely to sold to Ukraine to compensate for loss of Zaporizhzhia NPP to Russia.

Israel incensed as Erdogan vows to ‘send Netanyahu to Allah’

bne IntelliNews March 22, 2024

Turkey’s envoy summoned to foreign ministry for “serious reprimand”. Top diplomat tells Turkish leader “there is no God who will listen” to those who support Hamas atrocities.

Penta mulls sale of Fortuna gambling chain

Albin Sybera March 22, 2024

Central Europe's largest betting company reportedly valued at up to €2bn.

Croatian president to defy Constitutional Court and run for PM

bne IntelliNews March 22, 2024

Zoran Milanovic calls Constitutional Court a "mortal threat to Croatian democracy" after it warns he cannot run in general election while serving as president.

Bosnia gets green light for start of EU membership talks

bne IntelliNews March 21, 2024

Bosnia has made strong reform progress over the last year, and will start talks as soon as it fulfils conditions set by the European Commission.

Serbian foreign minister's Moscow trip likely to spark fresh calls to freeze EU accession process

bne IntelliNews March 21, 2024

Ivica Dacic arrives in Moscow days after Russian President Vladimir Putin was re-elected in rigged election.

European Commission warns Romania risks losing funds over slow reforms

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest March 21, 2024

Officials say they are “very concerned” about fiscal slippage and lack of reform progress.

No punitive action from Council of Europe against Turkey in Kavala and Demirtas cases

bne IntelliNews March 20, 2024

Despite calls for a tough move, human rights body opts to pursue more dialogue over Erdogan regime’s refusal to release philanthropist and Kurdish politician.

Slim hopes of EU enlargement progress ahead of European Parliament elections

bne IntelliNews March 20, 2024

EU members are pushing for the start of accession talks with Bosnia at this week’s EU Council, but wider progress unlikely before June elections.

Bulgaria thrown into new political crisis, snap general election likely

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia March 20, 2024

Hopes of progress on Schengen and Eurozone entry dashed after Gerb blows up talks with CC-DB on government rotation.

Warning over potential “Russian scenario” riots after North Macedonia elections

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje March 19, 2024

Junior ruling DUI points to Russian infiltration through political parties and media outlets sympathetic to Moscow's agenda.

Football fan Erdogan’s team Fenerbahce considers Turkish top league walkout

bne IntelliNews March 19, 2024

Club puts shock move on agenda after violence against players by fans who invaded pitch at end of match.

Russia warns Romania over building “largest Nato military base” in Europe

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest March 19, 2024

Expansion of Romania’s 57 Mihail Kogalniceanu air base on the Black Sea coast is intended to consolidate Nato’s Eastern Flank.

A surprise EU proposal to expand agricultural ”emergency brake” import restrictions will cost Ukraine €1.7bn

Ben Aris in Berlin March 19, 2024

EU countries have overnight agreed to impose new restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural imports that will cost the cash strapped country €1.7bn and hurt its ability to fight the war against Russia.

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