Serbia
LONG READ: Serbia’s hijacked protests
Protests against the Serbian government’s handling of the coronacrisis and the announcement of a new lockdown descended into violent attacks on police and state buildings after they were taken over by far-right groups, some linked to Russia.
Serbia’s president claims foreign intelligence influence in anti-government protests
President Aleksandar Vucic says foreign powers aimed to weaken Belgrade’s international position ahead of talks with Merkel and Macron on restarting the Belgrade-Pristina negotiation process.
Violent clashes with police at thousands-strong anti-lockdown protest in Belgrade
Curfew imposed for this weekend as new coronavirus cases push Serbia's healthcare system close to capacity. Protesters fear a new lockdown will cause economic hardship and job losses.
New lockdowns imposed in Eurasia to fight rising coronavirus cases
Several countries in Central Asia, the South Caucasus and the Western Balkans are seeing a strong rise in daily new cases after the easing of restrictions.
Serbia opens field hospitals as coronavirus spreads
All hospitals in Belgrade have reached full capacity as the number of COVID-19 infections rose sharply in recent days.
Serbia declares state of emergency in Belgrade as coronavirus cases spike
The country has reported a significant rise of new confirmed cases with around 80% of them in Belgrade in the last few days.
Russians, Serbians, Turks the biggest property buyers in Montenegro
Foreigners bought €169.99mn of property in the tiny Adriatic country in 2019.
Kosovo retreats from Washington talks after Thaci indictment
Kosovo's President Hashim Thaci was indicted for war crimes days before a critical US-brokered meeting, throwing the future of talks with Serbia into doubt.
Balkan Business Sentiment Index reached historic high in 2019
Progress towards EU accession lifted sentiment, but businesspeople still see corruption as one of their biggest problems.
Kosovo’s Specialist Prosecutor files war crimes charges against President Thaci
Charges announced immediately before Thaci was due to meet his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic at the White House.
Western Balkan coal power plants still greatly exceed pollution limits
Levels of sulphur dioxide emitted by power plants in the EU-aspiring region exceed pollution limits by almost six times, finds a new report from Bankwatch.
Exit polls show sweeping victory for Vucic’s SNS in Serbian general election
Serbian Progressive Party benefitted from handling of coronacrisis to consolidate its position with almost two-thirds of the vote in election boycotted by several opposition parties.
LONG READ: Voters in Serbia starkly divided into pro and anti Vucic camps before ‘corona elections’
The June 21 elections most likely won’t bring any change on the Serbian political scene. Thanks to the fragmented opposition and smart moves by President Aleksandar Vucic, the SNS is heading for another comfortable majority.