Serbia
Mass protest in Serbia ends in violent clashes with police
Police fired teargas and clashed with protesters in the Serbian capital after tens of thousands gathered to demand early elections and an end to the decade-long rule of President Aleksandar Vucic.
Western Balkans face rising trade barriers despite deeper EU integration, Bruegel says
Businesses operating in the Western Balkans say the practical costs of accessing EU markets remain high.
EU disburses Western Balkans funds, Serbia left out on unmet criteria
European Commission said Serbia and Bosnia did not qualify for latest Growth Plan tranche, as they have yet to fully implement policies set out in their reform agendas.
Serbia to submit final NIS proposal to MOL as talks near deadline
MOL has been in exclusive talks to acquire a 56.15% stake in NIS from Russia’s Gazprom Neft and Gazprom, which are under pressure to divest following US sanctions imposed in 2025.
Serbia dissatisfied with MOL’s revised NIS offer, talks to continue
Revised offer failed to address concerns over the Pancevo oil refinery and its role in supplying the domestic market, Energy Minister Dubravka Dedovic Handanovic said.
Telekom Srbija raises €1.95bn in record CEE corporate bond sale
Offering drew strong demand of $13.87bn from around 300 international institutional investors.
AIIB commits $125mn to OTP green finance push in CEE, Balkans
AIIB says transaction aims to deepen local capital markets and mobilise private investment into climate-related projects.
EXIM Bank approves financing for Telekom Srbija 5G rollout
Telekom Srbija said on May 8 that the Export-Import Bank of the United States has given final approval for financing to support the continued expansion of its 5G network in Serbia.
Vucic unveils reform plan, to decide on early elections within 10 days
Announcement signals the informal start of election campaigning, as speculation grows about when the president will call a vote.
Telekom Srbija plans €1.95bn bond issue, Moody’s rates notes B1
Proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt and cover transaction-related costs.
Serbia ranks among top global gold buyers in 2026
Serbia's central bank continued to diversify reserves amid geopolitical uncertainty, according to data from the World Gold Council.
EU freezes Serbia funding pending judicial reform review
The European Commission has not permanently halted funding but is awaiting concrete steps from Belgrade before making a final decision. Until then, resources allocated to Serbia under the €1.588bn Growth Plan for 2024-27 will remain frozen.
Iran-linked shock’s impact on Emerging Europe seen milder than 2022 crisis, says wiiw economist
Severity of current shock in Emerging Europe linked to Iran war unlikely to match the 2022 crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
BALKAN BLOG: Wave of Trump-linked Balkan investments sparks transparency concerns
Mega deals announced by Trump-linked companies brings up concerns over corruption and environmental impact similar to those raised over Chinese and Middle Eastern investments in the past.
Why global population collapse will keep the wars coming
Demographers warned for decades that ageing, declining states grow more dangerous, not less. The wars now spreading from Eastern Europe to the Gulf to East Asia look increasingly like the opening engagements of a long contest over who outlasts whom.
Emerging Europe weathers Iran war shock, but risks mount, wiiw says
Higher energy prices, weaker trade and geopolitical uncertainty weigh on the region’s outlook, according to new forecasts from the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies.
Middle East war shakes tourism in the Western Balkans
From canceled travel arrangements to a decline in bookings, events in the Middle East are impacting the Western Balkan tourism sector, industry representatives tell IntelliNews.
Serbia to revoke judicial reforms after EU backlash, president says
President Aleksandar Vucic admits legislation not aligned with EU rules, as government moves to defuse a dispute that risked jeopardising funding.
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NGOs urge Western Balkans to avoid ‘gas lock-in’
47 civil society organisations call on Western Balkan governments to abandon plans for new gas infrastructure, warning the region risks becoming locked into costly fossil fuel dependence.
Slovenian president declines to nominate PM candidate after failed consultations
President Natasa Pirc Musar says consultations revealed a lack of mutual respect and credibility among political parties.