Southeast Europe / News
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Three Turkish opposition mayors arrested as Erdoğan’s crackdown intensifies
Three prominent mayors from Turkey’s main opposition party Republican People’s Party were arrested on the morning of July 5, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cracks down on his political opponents ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.
Outrage after Serbian president pardons men who broke student’s jaw
Anger has grown after President Aleksandar Vucic pardoned four men accused of attacking a student in Novi Sad earlier this year – one of whom broke her jaw.
Turkey's Erdoğan calls for developing relations with new Syria leadership
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for developing relations with Syria's new authorities at the 17th ECO Summit in Azerbaijan's Khankendi.
Turkey’s first lady meets Pope Leo XIV in Vatican
The meeting was held during Erdogan’s visit to attend the “Fraternal Economy Session on Ethical Multilateralism” programme hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Turkey lynching local humour mag LeMan over alleged prophet Mohammed cartoon
Radical Islamist mobs attacked Istanbul-based satirical magazine LeMan’s office. Police beat its personnel while detaining them. Politicians led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have targeted the magazine.
UPDATE: Kurdish PKK announces plans to surrender fighters' weapons in northern Iraq
The Kurdistan Workers' Party announced on July 3 that its fighters in northern Iraq will begin surrendering weapons in the first concrete step toward disarmament as part of peace efforts
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Serbia enters fifth day of protests, 79 arrested overnight
Serbian police detained 79 people overnight as student-led protests and acts of civil disobedience entered their fifth consecutive day.
Serbian police crack down on student protests
Serbian police intensified their crackdown on student-led protests late Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday, detaining several demonstrators and dismantling road blockades as a wave of civil disobedience entered its fourth day.
Serbia gripped by civil unrest as road blockades continue
Thousands of demonstrators, led by student groups, have blocked key roads and intersections nationwide since June 29.
Western Balkan leaders meet in Skopje to advance EU Growth Plan
Growth Plan aims to fast-track the Western Balkans' convergence with the EU through deeper market access, pre-accession funding and regional cooperation.
Turkey lifts Deutsche Welle ban
Turkey’s media watchdog RTUK has lifted a ban that was introduced to block Deutsche Welle Turkish back in 2022.
Emerging Europe growth resilient despite global risks, wiiw says
Economies across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe are set to maintain solid growth in 2025 and 2026 but face downside risks from Middle East tensions, the war in Ukraine and US trade policy.
Serbian students blockade cities after police crackdown
Thousands of students and anti-government demonstrators blocked key roads and intersections across Serbia, after violent clashes between police and anti-government protesters at a mass protest on June 28.
Bulgarian anti-euro campaigners set up protest camp in Sofia
Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov threatens to destroy the eurozone from the inside if Bulgaria joins in January 2026.
Albanian PM mocks Reform leader Farage in row over prisoner numbers
Edi Rama said he would take back all Albanian prisoners if Farage’s claim one in 50 Albanians in Britain are in prison is correct — but insists it’s an exaggeration.
Serbian riot police clash with anti-government protesters
Tensions flared when riot police attempted to disperse crowds heading towards government buildings following months of largely non-violent demonstrations.
Serbian protesters mark Vidovdan with calls to end president's 12-year rule
Peaceful protest turns violent in late evening with riot police using tear gas and pepper spray to push back crowds.
Erdogan ‘not feeling even 10%’ of pressure he should from Western capitals over jailing of rival, says Turkish opposition chief
Europe signals to strongman “world has no alternative to him”, encouraging his crackdown on democracy, says Ozgur Ozel.
Erdogan indicates Turkey edging closer to F-35, Eurofighter jet deals after Nato summit leader talks
Ankara worried by growing air superiority of Israel and Greece.
Serbian students issue ultimatum: elections or civil disobedience
Students say the ruling coalition is unable to address what they describe as the country’s most severe socio-political crisis in decades.