Southeast Europe / News
Albania’s ruling Socialists secure a fourth term
PM Edi Rama wins an unprecedented fourth consecutive election victory, but opposition claim irregularities and announce protest.
Bulgaria’s parliament speaker blocks euro referendum request
President Rumen Radev caused political crisis by proposing euro referendum just months before Bulgaria is expected to join the eurozone.
EBRD2025: Croatia pushes for regional stock market integration
Croatian Finance Minister Marko Primorac believes by working together countries from the CEE region can advance towards emerging market status more quickly.
Serbia’s gambling problem sparks revenue surge – and social concern
Serbia has emerged as one of Europe’s gambling hotspots, ranking second on the continent in the number of betting shops and casinos per capita.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
Albania, Montenegro to be first Western Balkan candidates to join EU, European Council president says
Antonio Costa says it's "not fair" for the Western Balkan countries to be overtaken by Ukraine and Moldova.
Orban backs away from far-right Romanian presidential candidate Simion
Hungarian PM Orban’s apparent support for ultranationalist politician George Simion sparked a backlash from Romania’s Hungarian minority.
Bosnian politicians move to oust Dodik’s SNSD while he meets Putin and Xi in Moscow
10 political parties sign joint platform on Bosnia’s European future, excluding Milorad Dodik’s SNSD.
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.