North Macedonia Arrests Fugitive Ex-Deputy Prime Minister
Police at a border crossing on Monday seized former Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi – who has been a fugitive from justice for more than one year, accused of corruption.…
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 23, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Serbian President’s Suggestion of ‘Second-Tier’ EU Membership is a Betrayal
Aleksandar Vucic’s Progressive Party came to power with pledges to lead Serbia into full EU membership. After 14 years of democratic backsliding, he now says he’s willing to settle for…
Battery Makers: A Toxic Debate in Hungary’s Election
Revelations about foreign battery makers in Hungary ignoring safety and environmental regulations and the government helping cover it up are all over the news. But how much the scandal will…
Growing Pains: Albania’s Farmers Find Pathway to EU Markets Hard to Follow
Albania’s huge agricultural sector is seeking to expand into European markets to flourish – but issues over old-fashioned methods, low productivity, banned pesticides and corruption stand in the way. KAYNAK:…
Week in Review: Bad Omens and Tough Choices
This week’s selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories dissects some of the challenges and difficult choices facing the region. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
ARTE Europe Weekly: Is Europe Ready to Take on Ukraine’s War Effort – Alone?
The US has pulled almost all its funding just as Ukraine is entering its fifth year of war. Can the European Union fill the gap? KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Democracy Digest: Orban Goes to Washington and Receives Trump’s Endorsement
Elsewhere, Slovakia and Hungary blame Ukraine for lack of oil through pipeline apparently bombed by Russia; Polish bishop becomes first to stand trial over alleged failure to report sexual abuse;…
‘No Way Out’: Bosnia’s Domestic Violence Survivors Call for Better Protection
Although stricter laws against gender-based violence have been introduced in Bosnia and Herzegovina, many cases never even reach a court – emboldening the abusers and leaving victims feeling helpless. KAYNAK:…
Rama is Turning Deputy’s Suspension Into ‘Personal Battle’ Against Albanian Judiciary
Proposed legal amendments preventing courts from suspending senior officials would be a major blow to progress on tackling corruption - and to Albania’s EU accession process, writes legal expert Gentian…