North Macedonia PM Defends MP Accused of Intimidating Union Boss
Prime Minister stands firmly by MP accused of trying to intimidate a trade union leader, who is currently heading a campaign for higher wages, by publishing a video of him…
Record Marijuana Busts Spark Political Rows in North Macedonia, Serbia
Major seizures of drugs in North Macedonia and Serbia – allegedly involving crops grown legally but diverted for trafficking – have raised questions about the medical marijuana industry and caused…
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 9, 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
North Macedonia Needs to Stub Out Its Nicotine Habit: Health Official
With nearly half of North Macedonia’s adult population smoking, the Health Ministry is pushing for a tougher anti-smoking law, causing uproar. But Marija Andonovska, head of the Institute of Public…
BIRN Launches Podcast for ‘Women’s Wars’ Interview Series
BIRN has launched a ten-part podcast of its ‘Women’s Wars’ series, which profiles courageous women activists and journalists who worked for justice and freedom in the Yugoslav wars years. KAYNAK:…
We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more…
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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
North Macedonia ‘Risks Decriminalising Common Forms of Graft’
Proposed changes to North Macedonia’s Criminal Code will, if adopted, set back the fight against corruption, says Sabina Fakic of the Centre for Civil Communications. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Letter from Washington: Trump Scores Big on Small Balkan Playing Field
Keen to show loyalty to the US president, some Balkan states signed up to Donald Trump’s contentious ‘Board of Peace’. Others, meanwhile, are looking to the US for new business…
Truckers Across Western Balkans Block Borders Over New EU Travel Rules
Freight operators from Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and North Macedonia block goods traffic at border crossings, protesting over new EU EES rules that limit their stay in the Schengen area to…