Balkan Insight (original) (raw)
- Balkan Transitional Justice
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Croatia Eyes ‘Secret’ Yugoslav Airbase as New Node in EU Asylum Architecture
Under the EU’s new Pact on Asylum and Migration, Croatia is considering repurposing a once secret Yugoslav-era airbase as a detention and processing centre, to the alarm of rights groups and locals.
Romania’s Democracy is Not Broken, and That’s Causing Problems
As President Nicusor Dan’s second prime ministerial nominee in 40 days takes steps toward forming a government, Romania’s political crisis reveals how democratic tools can be weaponised to make governance itself impossible.
Arson of Diplomatic Cars Adds to Bulgaria-North Macedonia Strains
Hungary PM’s Euro Pledge to Test Public Appetite for Reform – And His Popularity
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From Staple to Luxury: Olive Oil Prices Become Symbol of Inflation-Hit Turkey
Kosovo Cannot Vote Its Way out of Its Political Crisis
ARTE Europe Weekly: EU Looks to ‘Return Hubs’ to Tackle Migration
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Arson of Diplomatic Cars Adds to Bulgaria-North Macedonia Strains
Bulgaria’s president condemned the burning of two Bulgarian diplomatic vehicles in Skopje, calling the incident an “attack” on her country and demanding that the authorities in North Macedonia fully clarify the case.
Montenegro Moves Nearer to EU Goal, Closing Two More Accession Chapters
Montenegro closed two additional chapters in its European Union accession negotiations as officials reiterated their goal of completing talks by the end of the year and joining the bloc in 2028.
Kosovo Court Jails Man for Spying for Serbian Intelligence
Kosovo Court Detains Five Serbs for Massacre That Catalysed NATO Intervention
Hungary Unveils Plans to Reform Public Media; Fidesz Press Struggles
Croatia Mulls Life Prison Terms – Indefinite Detention of ‘Socially Dangerous’
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Romania’s Democracy is Not Broken, and That’s Causing Problems
Arson of Diplomatic Cars Adds to Bulgaria-North Macedonia Strains
Hungary PM’s Euro Pledge to Test Public Appetite for Reform – And His Popularity
Democracy Digest: Poland and Ukraine Seek to Contain Fallout from WWII Dispute
Stray Drones, Rising Anxiety: How the Ukraine War Is Testing Romania’s Defences
Can Central Europe Once Again Punch Above its Weight?
June 16, 2026
Romania’s Democracy is Not Broken, and That’s Causing Problems
As President Nicusor Dan’s second prime ministerial nominee in 40 days takes steps toward forming a government, Romania’s political crisis reveals how democratic tools can be weaponised to make governance itself impossible.
June 16, 2026
Hungary PM’s Euro Pledge to Test Public Appetite for Reform – And His Popularity
Peter Magyar’s Tisza party campaigned on a promise to take Hungary into the eurozone, but delivering on that promise would entail blood, sweat and tears – and likely an accompanying loss of popularity.
June 16, 2026
Kosovo Cannot Vote Its Way out of Its Political Crisis
Three elections in 16 months have ended up with the same outcome and the same deadlock. But new elections are not the solution – political compromise is.
June 16, 2026
Croatia Eyes ‘Secret’ Yugoslav Airbase as New Node in EU Asylum Architecture
Under the EU’s new Pact on Asylum and Migration, Croatia is considering repurposing a once secret Yugoslav-era airbase as a detention and processing centre, to the alarm of rights groups and locals.
June 15, 2026
ARTE Europe Weekly: EU Looks to ‘Return Hubs’ to Tackle Migration
To speed up deportations of migrants whose asylum claims have failed, the EU is set to authorise detention centres beyond its borders. But will they help to resolve the issue?
June 15, 2026
LGBT Pride Parades Bring Rainbow Celebrations to Athens, Bucharest, Sofia
Tens of thousands of people joined marches for LGBTQ+ rights in the capitals of Greece, Romania and Bulgaria at the weekend – but right-wing traditionalists also held counter-rallies in Bucharest and Sofia.
June 12, 2026
Week in Review: Flamingos, Think Tankers and Returning Radicals
Our selection of Premium stories digs deep into a lively week, as Europe limps towards rebooting the enlargement system, votes in Kosovo are counted and Albanians throw off a reputation for apathy.
Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ is About More Than Kushner and Birds
Gamechanger? Bosnia’s World Cup Participation Could Create Moment of Collective Pride
Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans
Washington’s Retreat from its Bosnia Policy Leaves Country Adrift
Europe’s Enlargement’s Bargain on Ukraine, Balkans, Risks Backfiring
‘Why Me?’: North Korean Hackers Steal Identities From Serbia, Bosnia
Behind a Trump-Linked Albanian Resort Project, a Host of Murky Interests
Serbia Grows its Facial Recognition Arsenal Amid Legality Concerns
Sole Bidder: SUVs in Kosovo Attack Lead to String of Suspect Serbian Tenders
June 15, 2026
LGBT Pride Parades Bring Rainbow Celebrations to Athens, Bucharest, Sofia
June 12, 2026
Protest Memes Bring Political Satire to Albania’s Streets
June 5, 2026
Decade of Pride: Tenth Pristina Parade Makes Call for Equality
May 25, 2026
Tito’s Admirers Pay Their Annual Tribute to Yugoslavia’s Strongman
May 25, 2026