Balkans

If elections were to be held today, five parties would secure parliamentary seats, Lidia Yordanova from the National Public Opinion Centre (NPOC) announced Tuesday. There are no major surprises in the latest announcement. The four, long-running top contenders to make their way to the next parliament remain the same – …

Sofia. 66% of Bulgarians are in favor of elections 2 in 1, including half of voters of Bulgarian Socialist Party, Director of the National Center for Study of Public Opinion Lidia Yordanova announced at a press conference.

Sofia. If the parliamentary elections were held today, Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria /CEDB/, Bulgarian Socialist Party /BSP/, Ataka, Movement for Rights and Freedoms /MRF/ and Union of Democratic Forces /UDF/ would pass the threshold, director of the National Center for Study of Public Opinion Lidia Yordanova announced at …

In response to the growing public concerns that some level of violence in Bosnia could be possible as a result of growing political tensions, as well as fast-approaching social and economic crisis, commander of the 2,000-strong EU-peacekeeping troops on Tuesday resolutely dismissed any such possibility. “We are very much aware …

Slovenia’s main political parties have accepted an offer of EU mediation in its border dispute with Croatia that has stymied progress in Zagreb’s accession talks with the 27-member bloc. EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has asked Nobel peace laureate Martti Ahtisaari to help Slovenia and Croatia resolve the dispute, local …

A prosecutor has sought a one year prison term and a 5 million lek (€38000) fine from an ethnic Greek mayor in Albania who was indicted after he ordered the dismantling of road signs because they were not bilingual, causing subsequent traffic chaos. Mayor Vasil Bollano from the town of …

As political campaigning ahead of Macedonia’s March 22 presidential and municipal elections gains momentum, candidates focus on the ongoing name row with Greece and the state of the economy. Seven candidates are running for president, while over 380 candidates are vying for 83 municipal seats. 

In its latest report, one of the leading international think-tanks, the International Crisis Group, ICG, has warned against the early departure of international political and military presence in Bosnia. “While Bosnia and Herzegovina’s time as an international protectorate is ending, which is in itself most welcome, now is the wrong …

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, the current holder of the EU presidency, is due to arrive in Skopje this Tuesday for an official visit to Macedonia, where he will meet his counterpart Nikola Gruevski and President Branko Crvenkovski. The visit comes just weeks before the March 22 presidential and local …

The small Pacific state of the Republic of Palau became the 56th country to recognise Kosovo as an independent state on Monday. The President of Palau Johanson Toribiong sent a letter to the newly independent Balkan state’s President, Fatmir Sejdiu, confirming the recognition of Kosovo.