Southeast Europe / News
Moldova appoints Economic Development Minister Osmochescu as interim PM
President Maia Sandu appointed Eugeniu Osmochescu as interim prime minister following the surprise resignation of Alexandru Munteanu.
Bulgaria's PM proposes reviving Belene nuclear project with EU funds
Rumen Radev said he had proposed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Bulgaria and Ukraine jointly build the long-delayed Belene nuclear power plant using European Union funding, instead of Kyiv purchasing Russian-built reactors.
Moldova’s prime minister resigns after corruption scandal at air traffic control company
Alexandru Munteanu says he cannot govern "in accordance with my principles" as MoldATSA scandal shakes political establishment.
Serbia's ruling party asks Vucic to return as prime minister after elections
Serbia's ruling party has invited President Vučić to head its electoral list in the next parliamentary election and become its candidate for prime minister, confirming an expected political reshuffle that would allow him to remain in power.
Fake pilot scandal creates credibility test for Moldova’s pro-EU authorities
Moldovan President Maia Sandu called for a comprehensive audit of state-owned enterprises after a series of corruption allegations involving politically connected appointments.
Romania’s far-right AUR launches bid to suspend president, force early election
AUR currently lacks the parliamentary support to initiate the suspension procedure, making the move primarily a political challenge to the governing parties aimed at bringing snap elections closer.
Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe growth holds firm in 2026, says wiiw
Region seen outpacing eurozone, but geopolitical risks and industrial weakness cloud outlook.
North Macedonia’s PM Mickoski unveils new cabinet lineup after coalition talks
Cabinet reshuffle follows political negotiations aimed at consolidating the governing majority and restructuring responsibilities across coalition partners.
Croatian president blocks army's Bastille Day participation, deepening rift with government
Confrontation revives power struggle between President Milanović and PM Plenković, whose relations have been marked by public insults and clashes over foreign policy, military appointments and Croatia’s role in Nato.
Serbia’s president unveils €600mn pre-election spending package
Package comprises more than €600mn in salary increases, pension rises, one-off cash payments and tourism vouchers affecting 2mn voters.
Bulgaria's Black Sea resorts flag weak start to season
Modest increase in May arrivals, but tourism businesses on Bulgaria's northern Black Sea coast say the summer season has started slowly.
Serbia's Vucic says he will resign as president within weeks
President Aleksandar Vucic announces decision to step down after 19 months of anti-government protests that have posed the biggest challenge of his 13 years in power.
Romanian government talks deadlocked again
Centre-right parties nominate Siegfried Mureșa for PM, challenging rival nomination by Social Democrats.
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Romania signs €2bn contract for SHORAD-VSHORAD air defence systems
Acquisition is part of Romania's broader military modernisation programme and efforts to strengthen Nato's eastern flank.
Brussels separates Ukraine and Moldova on EU accession track as merit-based approach takes hold
Each country is now expected to advance towards membership at its own pace after the opening of the first negotiating cluster.
Bulgaria unveils budget with deficit nearly double EU limit
Budget sparks accusations from opposition parties that PM Rumen Radev's government has abandoned promises of fiscal discipline and reform.
MSCI upgrades Bulgaria to frontier market status
Decision reflects improvements in the accessibility and investment environment of the Bulgarian market.
Croatia pitches itself as gateway to Central Europe for Canadian investors
PM Andrej Plenkovic points to large Croatian diaspora in Canada and potential to deepen economic ties during Toronto visit.
Bulgaria reaches limit on military aid to Ukraine, PM says
Rumen Radev's stance on military air follows suggestion Sofia could block parts of the EU’s proposed new sanctions package against Russia.
Western Balkans coal plants continue to breach pollution limits despite legal deadlines, report says
CEE Bankwatch Network study finds coal-fired power plants emitted sulphur dioxide at more than six times legal limits in 2025, with dust pollution reaching its worst level since current emissions rules entered force.