Croatia in 2026: A Window for Reform – But Will It Be Used?
What could be a calm political year in the country presents a rare chance to push ahead with much-needed reforms, if the will is there. But inflation – and football…
ARTE Europe Weekly: Trump Wants Greenland – What Can Europe Do About It?
Donald Trump has doubled down on his demands for ownership of Greenland, leaving European leaders scrambling to formulate a response and worrying what the US will do next. KAYNAK: Balkan…
Democracy Digest: Slovaks Bridle at ‘Hungarians Living in Felvidek’ Phrase
Elsewhere, Hungary sets general election date for April 12; new Czech government faces interminable vote of confidence; and Poland successfully repels largest cyberattack on energy infrastructure in years. KAYNAK: Balkan…
Democracy Digest: Fico Criticizes US While Orban Dissembles
Elsewhere, Mercedes to move entire A-Klasse manufacturing from Germany to Hungary; Slovak far-right agitator Bombic to face trial; Poland gets serious about prosecuting hate crimes; and ammo initiative for Ukraine…
Greece in 2026: External Shocks Risk Derailing Fragile Economic Revival
The long-suffering Greek economy is showing new signs of life. But much depends on the wider global environment – while population decline, water scarcity and the rising cost of living…
Balkan States Give Divided Reactions to US Strike on Venezuela
Albania and Kosovo applauded the Trump administration’s military operation against Venezuela's regime and the ousting of Nicolas Maduro, while other states in the region initially remained silent or called for…
Romania in 2026: Walking a Political-Economic Tightrope
Last year was tough for many Romanians. Unfortunately, 2026 is unlikely to be easier – with a ‘perfect storm’ of economic and political pressures looming on the horizon. KAYNAK: Balkan…
Letter From Washington: The US Just Blasted Balkan Authoritarians – Or Did It?
The recently-passed Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act shows that some US lawmakers still care about the region. But it doesn’t mean that Donald Trump is going to tell Aleksandar…
Democracy Digest: EU Summit Agrees €90 Billion Loan to Ukraine Without Central Europe
Elsewhere, tensions in Slovak-Hungarian relations rise over Benes Decrees; Slovakia’s top court declares two pieces of coalition legislation unconstitutional; Polish president to meet Ukrainian counterpart in Warsaw on Friday; and…
Democracy Digest: Babis Appointed Czech PM But Fate of Motorists’ Turek Unclear
Elsewhere, legislative chaos as Slovak government rams through laws and president wields veto; yet another scandal in Hungary exposes government’s hollow ‘child-friendly’ narrative; and Poland invited to become first in…