Southeast Europe / News
Bulgaria’s president to seek referendum on euro adoption
Rumen Radev makes shock move to block euro adoption just months ahead of expected January 2026 Eurozone entry.
Albania's ruling Socialists poised for fourth term, exit poll shows
First exit poll from Albania Post indicates PM Edi Rama's Socialists will increase their majority in the next parliament.
Zelenskiy to travel to Istanbul after Trump backs Putin’s offer of talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy agreed to hold face-to-face peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15.
Lithuanian activists hand out condoms on Victory Day to prevent 'another Putin' from being born
Activists gave out condoms at the entrance to the Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius, where the city’s Russian community were marking Victory over Fascism Day.
Serbia’s Vucic trolls EU with Moscow visit
Vucic seemed to be goading EU leaders on social media, posting daily updates of all the persona non gratas he'd met on the sidelines of Putin's Victory Day parade.
Turkey and China could mediate Ukraine peace talks if US withdraws, Polish foreign minister says
Turkey and China could act as potential mediators in future Ukraine peace negotiations if the United States reduces its involvement, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8.
Romanian presidential candidate Simion proposes national unity cabinet, while rival Dan favours pro-Western coalition
Far-right AUR leader George Simion and Bucharest mayor Nicusur Dan set out competing visions as presidential election runoff approaches.
Serbia’s Vucic to discuss new gas deal with Putin in Moscow
Aleksandar Vucic visited Moscow for the May 9 Victory Day parade shortly before Serbia’s gas supply agreement with Russian energy giant Gazprom is due to expire.
Poll shows narrowing gap between Simion and Dan ahead of Romanian presidential runoff
Result of the May 18 runoff could hinge on turnout and the mobilisation of undecided voters.
Serbia’s Vucic heads to Moscow for Victory Day parade
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic departed for Moscow to attend Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, defying EU warnings that the visit could further derail Serbia’s stalled path toward EU membership.
Romania's Interior Minister Predoiu appointed interim prime minister
Predoiu takes over as interim PM but leading presidential candidate George Simion says he will install far-right politician Calin Georgescu in the position if he wins May 18 runoff.
Bosnia faces risk of disintegration, high representative warns
Christian Schmidt says Bosnia faces a serious political crisis which may lead to its breakup, following secessionist actions by Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.
Kremlin says Serbia’s Vucic will attend Moscow parade
Move risks a serious rupture with Brussels as Serbia takes an increasingly ambivalent stance to EU enlargement.
Serbia's protesting students demand snap elections
Demand signals a more direct confrontation with the government and the ruling Serbian Progressive Party SNS after months of protests.
Economy a key battleground as Albania heads for general election
Prime Minister Edi Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha are trading barbs over growth, taxes and the cost of living.
EU allies prepared to back Moldova’s EU accession bid without Ukraine if Hungary’s veto not lifted
EU member states most supportive of Ukraine are ready to move forward with accession talks for Moldova without Ukraine, if Hungary continues to block progress for Kyiv.
Romania’s PM Ciolacu resigns
Political instability looms as no new government expected until presidential election runoff between far-right George Simion and pro-EU reformer Nicusur Dan.
Turkey’s opposition leader assaulted in Istanbul
Sequence of events led to Ozgur Ozel departing funeral via front door, where he was attacked in front of camera crews.
George Simion takes decisive lead in Romanian presidential election first round
AUR leader Simion took over 40% of the vote in the first round, giving him a strong chance of victory in the runoff.
Press freedom declines sharply in several Balkan countries
Declines reported in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania in the latest global ranking from Reporters Without Borders.