Southeast Europe / News

Series of earthquakes shake Istanbul

bne IntelliNews April 23, 2025

Largest quake measured at 6.2-magnitude. Event another reminder future could bring a calamity in the 7s or higher.

Protesters against UAE beach development deal target Montenegrin parliament

bne IntelliNews April 23, 2025

Rally outside parliament in Podgorica as MPs debate tourism and real estate deals critics claim threaten Montenegro's environment and rule of law.

Turkey drops leaflets on Iraqi mountains urging Kurdish PKK to surrender

bnm Gulf bureau April 22, 2025

Turkish military aircraft dropped leaflets over mountainous areas in Duhok Province within the Kurdistan Region on the morning of April 22.

Investment deal with UAE sparks protests in Montenegro

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia April 22, 2025

Montenegrins are divided over agreements with the UAE on investments in tourism and real estate development affecting one of Europe's longest beaches.

Turkey to renovate 1,500-year-old dome of Hagia Sophia

Akin Nazli in Belgrade April 20, 2025

Special process designed to avoid damaging mosaics on inner surface.

Stalemate in Kosovo's parliament as MPs again fail to elect speaker

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje April 20, 2025

The ruling Vetevendosje movement won the most seats in the February general election but fell short of an outright majority.

Russia accuses EU of “Euronazism” over victory day threats to Serbia

bne IntelliNews April 17, 2025

Russia has sharply criticised the European Union after reports emerged that Brussels could block Serbia’s accession bid if its president attends a military parade in Moscow commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Sanctioned Balkan politicians step up lobbying of Trump administration

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia, Clare Nuttall in Glasgow April 17, 2025

After the US dropped sanctions on Hungary’s Antal Rogan, politicians from Albania, Bosnia and Bulgaria want similar decisions in their favour.

Serbia installs political newcomer as PM amid protests

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade April 17, 2025

Medical professor Djuro Macut will head a largely unchanged cabinet in a move aimed at defusing months of anti-government protests triggered by a fatal infrastructure collapse.

Serbian students continue blockade of state broadcaster RTS

bne IntelliNews April 16, 2025

A student-led blockade of Serbia’s national broadcaster RTS entered its third day on April 16, as demonstrators continued to decry biased reporting and state media complicity in a deepening political crisis.

Turkey’s opposition aims for 30mn signatures calling for Imamoglu release and early elections

bne IntelliNews April 16, 2025

Figure is higher than number of votes ruler Erdogan received in last election. But CHP risks reliance on gimmicks with no meaningful impact on regime.

Serbian students arrive in Strasbourg to urge EU action on protests

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade April 15, 2025

Students made a 13-day, 1,400-kilometre bicycle journey from Novi Sad to Strasbourg, called on European institutions to break their silence over months of anti-government protests in Serbia.

Bosnia risks air traffic shutdown over unpaid debt

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia April 15, 2025

The bank accounts of Bosnia's air navigation body have been frozen and its four airports face closure if a debt to Slovenian company Viadukt remains unpaid.

New study reveals extent of Russian disinformation targeting Emerging Europe

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia April 14, 2025

'Pravda network' targeting regions of geopolitical interest for the Kremlin with negative impact on democracy and regional stability.

EBRD seeks to sell Moldova's strategic Giurgiulesti port amid legal dispute

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest April 14, 2025

The sale of Moldova’s main sea-to-river port will not be straightforward as many conflicting interests are at stake.

Serbian PM-designate unveils new cabinet

bne IntelliNews April 14, 2025

Djuro Macut has proposed a 30-member cabinet with many old faces after student protests forced the resignation of his predecessor.

Hungary's Viktor Orban discusses energy issues with Erdogan in Ankara

bne IntelliNews April 14, 2025

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for bilateral talks in Antalya, which focused on energy issues and developing bilateral economic, military and defence cooperation.

Thousands rally against corruption in Bulgaria

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia April 13, 2025

Protesters say 'mafia' has taken over Bulgarian government, judiciary, media and other institutions.

Croatia faces labour market squeeze ahead of summer tourist season

Clare Nuttall in London April 13, 2025

Labour shortages have become a defining feature of Croatia’s post-pandemic economy, reflecting long-term demographic challenges facing one of Europe’s top tourist destination.

Deadlock in Kosovo as opposition rejects parliament speaker candidate

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje April 13, 2025

PM Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje remains short of the majority needed to elect a speaker and form a government.

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