Europe – Balkans

EU condemns violence in Kosovo, will keep talking to all parties; NATO ready to deploy more troops

CHISINAU, June 1 (Reuters) - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell repeated on Thursday that violence in Kosovo had to be condemned, adding he would continue to speak to the…

Read More Here

Lira hits record low as Turkey prepares for new cabinet

ISTANBUL, May 31 (Reuters) - Turkey's lira tumbled on Wednesday to a fresh record low against the dollar as President Tayyip Erdogan prepared to decide the shape of his new…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Kremlin: Russia backs Kosovo’s Serbs, their rights must be respected

MOSCOW, May 31 (Reuters) - Russia supports Kosovo's Serbian population and believes their legal rights and interests must be protected, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. Peskov also told…

Read More Here

Bulgaria’s Denkov gets mandate to form cabinet

Former Bulgarian Education Minister Nikolai Denkov has been given a mandate to form a cabinet within seven days following elections in April, the Sofia Globe reported on its website. Last…

Read More Here

‘Large eruption brewing up in centre of Europe’ says Russia’s Lavrov on Kosovo

"A large eruption is brewing up in the center of Europe, in the very place where in 1999 NATO carried out an aggression against Yugoslavia, violating all possible principles of Helsinki…

Read More Here

Free but unfair election: how Erdogan held onto power in Turkey, and what this means for the country’s future

Recep Tayyib Erdogan will remain president of Turkey for another five years after winning Sunday’s run-off election over his long-time rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. If he serves the full five-year term,…

Read More Here

NATO peacekeepers secure Kosovo town halls in standoff with Serb protesters

Serbs reject new ethnic Albanian mayors after vote boycott Kosovo police repel Serbs trying to break into town hall US rebukes Kosovo for imposing mayors in mainly Serb area LEPOSAVIC,…

Read More Here

Turkey’s Erdogan prevails in election test of his 20-year rule

Erdogan to enter third decade in power Putin congratulates his 'dear friend' Vote shows polarised nation after divisive campaign By Can Sezer, Ali Kucukgocmen and Huseyin Hayatsever ANKARA (Reuters) -…

Read More Here

Erdogan says Turks have given him new presidential mandate

ISTANBUL, May 28 (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday Turks had given him the responsibility of governing for the next five years, declaring Turkey as the only winner of a…

Read More Here

NATO urges Kosovo to de-escalate tension with Serbia

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO urged Kosovo to dial down tensions with Serbia, a day after its government forcibly accessed municipal buildings to install mayors in ethnic Serb areas in the…

Read More Here

Turkey heads to presidential election runoff

Turks vote on Sunday May 28 in a presidential election runoff between the incumbent Tayyip Erdogan and his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu that will decide whether the president extends his rule…

Read More Here

Tens of thousands gather in Serbia in Vucic’s show of power

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Tens of thousands gathered in the center of Belgrade on Friday in support of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in a show of power following big anti-government protests…

Read More Here

Turkey far right party leader backs Erdogan’s challenger in runoff

ANKARA, May 24 (Reuters) - Turkey's anti-immigrant Victory Party leader endorsed opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu on Wednesday, potentially boosting the challenger as he aims to make up ground and defeat President Tayyip Erdogan in Sunday's runoff…

Read More Here

Plane crashes in Croatia, rescuers search for crew

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Rescuers found the remains of a light aircraft that crashed on Saturday in the mountainous region of the northwestern Croatia but could not confirm if any crew…

Read More Here

Turks abroad begin voting in presidential election runoff

By Daren Butler President Erdogan was nearly 5 points ahead in first round Polls had forecast his rival Kilicdaroglu would be in front Third-placed candidate could play a 'kingmaker' role…

Read More Here

Turkey is headed to a run-off contest. Here’s why

Last weekend, Turkey held a historic election that will be crucial in deciding in the way the country is heading. Although almost all pre-election polls were predicting a narrow win…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Turkey opposition says irregularities at thousands of ballot boxes

Main opposition raises objections over suspected irregularities Says irregularities not sufficient to alter overall results Ally says opposition should focus on campaigning for runoff Erdogan is in pole position to…

Read More Here

Erdogan’s strong showing signals “business as usual” for Mideast

The prospect of Tayyip Erdogan winning another presidential term in Turkey would once have rung alarms around the Middle East, but after taking a more conciliatory stance in recent years…

Read More Here

EU’s Gabriel gets mandate to form Bulgaria’s new cabinet

SOFIA, May 15 (Reuters) - European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, a member of Bulgaria's centre-right GERB party, got a mandate on Monday to form a new cabinet following last month's elections. President Rumen…

Read More Here

Turkey faces election runoff, Erdogan seen with momentum

By Huseyin Hayatsever, Orhan Coskun and Birsen Altayli ANKARA, May 15 (Reuters) - Tayyip Erdogan led comfortably on Monday after the first round of Turkey's presidential election, with his rival facing an uphill struggle to prevent the…

Read More Here

Who are the Turkish presidential candidates and other key figures

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan is putting his two-decade rule on the line on May 14 when he faces opposition challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu in Turkey's landmark elections. Surveys show…

Read More Here

What you need to know about the 2023 Turkish elections

Turks vote on May 14 in an election seen as one of the most consequential in Turkey's modern history, with President Tayyip Erdogan facing the biggest political challenge of his…

Read More Here

Erdogan accuses Turkish opposition of working with Biden

By Ali Kucukgocmen ISTANBUL, May 13 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held his last election rallies in Istanbul on Saturday, accusing the opposition of working with U.S. President Joe Biden to…

Read More Here

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: Turkey’s opposition leader is leading in the polls, here’s what you need to know

Turkey’s general election on Sunday, May 14 will see voters cast their ballots for 600 members of its parliament and the country’s powerful presidency. This election has become intensely competitive…

Read More Here

Turkey’s Erdogan, master campaigner, faces toughest contest yet

Economy is behind Erdogan's declining fortunes ahead of vote Uncertainty, anxiety and anticipation run high Polls suggest Kilicdaroglu has an edge over Erdogan Erdogan loss could return Turkey to secular-democratic…

Read More Here

Serbians surrender over 3,000 pieces of weapons after mass shootings

BELGRADE, (Reuters) - Serbians have surrendered more than 3,000 illegal weapons and parts in the first two days of a gun amnesty introduced after two mass shootings in which 17…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Erdogan’s rival boosted by withdrawal, poll lead ahead of Turkey vote

Erdogan facing greatest challenge of two decades in power Last days of campaigning could be reshaped by withdrawal Turkish stocks jump %6 after Ince pulls out of race Erdogan's bid…

Read More Here

EU’s Mariya Gabriel nominated to be Bulgaria’s new prime minister

Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced Wednesday that his center-right GERB party would nominate European Commissioner for Innovation Mariya Gabriel to be the country’s new PM. Reports began circulating…

Read More Here

Serbia takes steps to prevent school violence after shooting

The Serbian government said it had introduced a set of measures on Thursday to prevent potential violence in schools a day after a 13-year-old boy shot and killed eight students and…

Read More Here

Turkey’s Erdogan doesn’t flinch in fight for political life

With his two-decade rule in the balance, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has pulled out all the stops on the campaign trail as he battles to survive his toughest political test…

Read More Here

‘We can’t afford anything’: Turkey’s cost-of-living crisis threatens Erdogan’s re-election

By Ali Kucukgocmen ISTANBUL, May 8 (Reuters) - Istanbul barber Hakim Ekinci, a long-time supporter of Tayyip Erdogan, won't be voting for the president next Sunday, blaming his economic policies…

Read More Here

Serbia takes steps to prevent school violence after shooting

BELGRADE (Reuters) - The Serbian government said it had introduced a set of measures to prevent potential violence in schools a day after a 13-year-old boy shot and killed eight…

Read More Here

Turkey set to keep strong Russia ties whoever wins election

Personal ties will still define Erdogan's foreign policy Opposition pledges to put foreign ministry back in charge Economic crisis forced Turkey to revive Russia ties By Ece Toksabay and Huseyin…

Read More Here

Photo Story: Public ‘Rosary Prayer’ in Zagreb

Croatian men kneel as they perform a public 'Rosary Prayer' at ‘Ban Jelacic’ square in Zagreb, Croatia, 06 May 2023. On the first Saturday of every month, Catholic men pray…

Read More Here

Girl and guard wounded in Serbia school shooting still in critical condition

BELGRADE, May 6 (Reuters) - A girl who was shot in head in a school shooting in Serbia that killed eight pupils and a guard is still in critical condition,…

Read More Here

Serbia recent mass shootings: what are the country’s gun laws?

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia, where within a few days suffered two rare mass shootings, has an entrenched gun culture, especially in rural areas, but also strict gun control laws. The…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Serbian police arrest suspect in second mass shooting

By Antonio Bronic and Aleksandar Vasovic BELGRADE, May 4 (Reuters) - Serbian police arrested on Friday a gunman suspected of killing eight people and wounding 14 others in a village…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Two pupils wounded in Serbia school shooting in critical condition

By Aleksandar Vasovic BELGRADE, May 4 (Reuters) - Two pupils wounded in Serbia's first mass school shooting were in critical condition on Thursday, health officials said, as the country prepared…

Read More Here

Kosovo, Serbia fail to agree on lowering tensions in north Kosovo, says EU policy chief

Leaders of Kosovo and Serbia failed to agree on how to lower tensions in Serb-majority areas in north Kosovo, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday, warning that any further escalation could undermine…

Read More Here

Turkish raid prompted ISIS leader to detonate suicide vest

ISIS leader Abu Hussein al-Qurashi's six-month rule ended when he detonated a suicide vest during a Turkish special forces raid in northwest Syria on Saturday after refusing to surrender, a…

Read More Here

Islamic State leader killed in Syria by Turkish intelligence services – Erdogan

ISTANBUL, (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish intelligence forces killed Islamic State leader Abu Hussein al-Qurashi in Syria. "This individual was neutralized as part of an operation…

Read More Here

Erdogan back on the campaign trail

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan returned to the campaign trail on Saturday after falling sick during a live TV broadcast Tuesday night. Erdoğan had cancelled public appearances for three days,…

Read More Here

Turkey’s Erdogan cancels election rallies for a day for health reasons

ANKARA, April 26 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he cancelled his scheduled campaign rallies on Wednesday due to health reasons, ahead of landmark May 14 elections. "Today, I…

Read More Here

Photo Story: Official launch ceremony of the FRONTEX Joint Operation in North Macedonia

Members of FRONTEX talk prior to the official launch ceremony of the FRONTEX Joint Operation in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia, 20 April 2023. It is planned that in 2023,…

Read More Here

Turkey, Tunisia banks most at risk from tighter financing conditions – S&P Global

LONDON, April 17 (Reuters) - Tighter global financing conditions are putting pressure on emerging market banking systems, with those in Turkey and Tunisia most at risk, ratings agency S&P Global…

Read More Here

Bosnia Serb leader Dodik threatens to declare independence

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik told his ally Serbia he was seriously considering declaring the autonomous Serb Republic independent from the rest of Bosnia unless a row…

Read More Here

Leaked U.S. intel document claims Serbia agreed to arm Ukraine

By Jonathan Landay and Aleksandar Vasovic WASHINGTON/BELGRADE, April 12 (Reuters) - Serbia, the only country in Europe that has refused to sanction Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, agreed to…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Bulgaria’s GERB party urges lawmakers to create a government after inconclusive vote

SOFIA, April 5 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's centre-right GERB party, which came first in an election last Sunday, urged the country's political parties to put a new government in place "whatever…

Read More Here

Heavy snow, strong winds sweep through western Balkans

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Heavy snow and strong winds, unusual for the springtime, swept through most of the western Balkan region. In central Serbia, a bus swerved off a snow-covered road…

Read More Here

Bulgaria set for tough coalition talks after fifth inconclusive election

Bulgaria looks for lengthy and difficult coalition talks after a parliamentary election, the fifth in two years, again failed to produce a clear winner. A bloc led by the centre-right GERB party…

Read More Here

Mother and baby reunited in Turkey nearly two months after earthquake

A mother has been reunited with her baby in southern Turkey after a DNA test confirmed it was her daughter, almost two months after a devastating earthquake ripped through the…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Former Kosovo president Thaci pleads not guilty to war crimes

THE HAGUE, April 3 (Reuters) - Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on Monday pleaded not guilty to 10 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity as his trial opened…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Ex-PM Borissov’s GERB nudges ahead in Bulgarian election – partial results

SOFIA, April 3 (Reuters) - A bloc led by the centre-right GERB party of former prime minister Boyko Borissov narrowly won most votes in Bulgaria's parliamentary election, according to partial…

Read More Here

Montenegro’s ex-economy minister Milatovic declares victory in presidential run-off

PODGORICA (Reuters) - Montenegro's former economy minister Jakov Milatovic declared victory in a presidential election run-off on Sunday, over long-standing incumbent Milo Djukanovic, ending more than three decades of his…

Read More Here

Montenegro holds run-off presidential election

PODGORICA, April 2 (Reuters) - Montenegrins were set to vote in a run-off presidential election on Sunday, pitting long-time incumbent Milo Djukanovic against a Western-educated economist pledging to lift the…

Read More Here

Bulgarians vote in their fifth parliamentary election in two years

By Stoyan Nenov SOFIA, April 2 (Reuters) - Bulgarians vote in their fifth parliamentary election in two years on Sunday amid rising resentment towards political elites who many see as…

Read More Here

Montenegro to elect president in tight race after year of deadlock

Both candidates pledge continuation of EU-accession bid Incumbent Djukanovic has dominated Montenegro for 33 years Faces challenge after two governments collapse within year Rival Milatovic, former economy minister, vows new…

Read More Here