Category: Balkans
Balkans 18.03.24 | 23:06

A Croatian court prevents the president from seeking a parliamentary seat

The Constitutional Court of Croatia has blocked President Zoran Milanović’s bid to run for a parliamentary seat, asserting that he must first step down from his presidential role as engaging in partisan political activities is incompatible with the office, as declared on Monday. Milanović had...

Balkans 11.03.24 | 20:46

President of Serbia’s Macedonian National Council, Borche Velichkovski, passes away

Borche Velichkovski, the president of the National Council of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Serbia, has passed away at the age of 57 following a prolonged illness.

Balkans 17.02.24 | 19:10

Vucic: The EU is unwilling or unable to use sanctions against Pristina

In Munich, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed his impression that the EU “either does not have or does not want to apply mechanisms towards Pristina” based on his discussions with EU representatives Josep Borel and Miroslav Lajcak regarding the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina...

Balkans 10.02.24 | 19:33

Rumors of plans to assassinate Kurti during his visit to Skopje

Kosovan news outlets are reporting that Prime Minister Albin Kurti was threatened by an assassination attempt originating from Serbia, while he was visiting Skopje. Kurti confirmed that he noticed a heightened security detail during the visit, but said that he didn’t feel threatened. He confirmed...

Balkans 06.02.24 | 22:47

A large number of airlines in the region are being canceled

Starting next summer, Wizz air will no longer fly from Ljubljana to London Luton, leaving the airline with only flights to Skopje (three times a week). Wieser is canceling flights from Niš to Dortmund, Vienna and Malmö. The company is canceling two routes in Banja Luka. Wizz air further reduces flights...

Balkans 05.02.24 | 20:54

Regarding Pristina’s decision to withdraw the dinar, Rama says Kosovo ought to work with its allies

Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has responded to the Central Bank of Kosovo’s decision to eliminate the Serbian dinar currency from circulation, as reported by Albanian media. He urged Kosovo to collaborate with its allies, who have called for the suspension of this action, citing concerns...

Balkans 27.01.24 | 19:46

We commemorate Saint Sava, the Archbishop of Serbia, today

The son of the Serbian prefect Stefan Nemanja, Saint Sava, was born in 1169. From a young age, he aspired to a spiritual life and sought refuge on Mount Athos, where he embraced monasticism with rare dedication, undergoing extensive ascetic practices. Inspired by his son, Nemanja later followed suit,...

Balkans 22.01.24 | 21:11

Open Balkan nations ratify agreements allowing unrestricted access to labor markets

On Monday in Skopje, representatives from North Macedonia, Serbia, and Albania officially signed protocols facilitating unrestricted entry into each other’s labor markets. The Minister of Information Society and Administration, Azir Aliu, joined counterparts from Serbia and Albania to endorse the...

Balkans 20.01.24 | 23:35

New German laws could cause a stampede of Balkan immigrants

Changes to the German law, that will make it far easier to get a German citizenship, are likely to have a profound impact on the Balkans. Germany is already the main destination for Balkan emigrants, even as it demanded people give up their original citizenship and imposed long wait lines. Under the...

Balkans 14.01.24 | 10:25

Earthquake in Albania

An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale struck Albania around midnight. The quake was felt across south-western Macedonia, in the areas of Ohrid, Struga, Gostivar, and all the way to Skopje. There are no reports of damages or injuries.

Balkans 08.01.24 | 19:19

The five individuals trapped in Križna jama are in stable condition, and their rescue is anticipated tomorrow

The five individuals stranded in Križna jama, within Slovenia’s renowned Kraška cave, remain in stable condition. They have access to provisions such as food, drinks, and heating devices, as reported by the rescue team upon their return from the cave mission just after 9 PM. The water levels...

Balkans 04.01.24 | 10:52

Full Results Give Serbia’s Ruling Party Election Win

Full election results on January 3 handed Serbia’s ruling party a major victory in the parliamentary and local votes held on December 17, amid demonstrations that triggered thousands to protest alleged fraud. President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won 46.75 percent of...

Balkans 27.12.23 | 09:11

Belgrade demonstrators want the release of detained demonstrators who are accused of using violence

Yesterday marked the ninth post-election protest in Belgrade, where demonstrators called for the release of those arrested during the recent unrest. Regional media reported that during the previous protest, the police intervened to disband the demonstration after a violent individual attempted to enter...

Balkans 26.12.23 | 09:22

Renewed demonstrations in Belgrade against purported fraud in local elections

Thousands of supporters from the Serbian opposition once again flooded the streets of Belgrade on Monday, rallying against what they perceive as widespread fraud during the local elections held a week prior. The protesters marched through central Belgrade, echoing chants of “Thieves, thieves,”...

Balkans 25.12.23 | 19:51

Ambassador Hill condemns violent protests in Serbia

US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill condemned the violent attempt to storm the Belgrade city hall by the opposition parties yesterday. The opposition coalition Serbia Against Violence is angry over alleged electoral fraud, and the vote of dual citizens from Bosnia in Belgrade. While the coalition...

Balkans 24.12.23 | 21:51

No significant injuries reported as party vessel sinks in Belgrade river

An anchored party raft along the Sava River in Belgrade, Serbia, submerged overnight, prompting police intervention to safely evacuate around 30 guests and staff, as reported by Serbian television RTS on Sunday morning. Amidst the incident, some attendees plunged into the frigid waters in a panicked...

Balkans 24.12.23 | 13:01

Radev wants Kosovo to recognize a 15,000 strong Bulgarian minority

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev issued a request to Kosovo to recognize the Bulgarian minority. The request is similar to the demand over which Bulgaria is currently blocking Macedonia’s EU accessions, likely refers to the Macedonian minority in the Kosovan south-western mountainous region of Gora. Radev...

Balkans 19.12.23 | 20:28

Voter fraud is alleged by protestors in the local elections in Belgrade

Several thousand supporters of the Serbian opposition took to the streets of Belgrade on Monday evening in protest against alleged fraud in Sunday’s local elections. The demonstrators, as observed by a dpa reporter, rallied with chants of “Thieves, thieves!” and “We will not have...

Balkans 18.12.23 | 00:01

Vucic declares victory in Serbian early elections

Serbia’s ruling SNS party declared a decisive victory at the early general elections, albeit with a lower majority. According to the early results, SNS won 46.6 percent of the vote, and will have 129 seats in the next Parliament – a few more than it needs to form a Government. It’s...

Balkans 16.12.23 | 22:04

Orban vetoes Bulgaria’s Schengen entry over the Russian gas dispute

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that his country will block Bulgaria from entering the Schengen Zone, as long as Bulgaria continues to demand an extra transit tax on Russian gas. The Bulgarian move greatly affected all downstream countries, including Macedonia, and especially the major...

Повеќе