Compiled by Eva Jovanova and Hristo Voynov
1. Romanian political elite attacked by “Massive Attack” this Tuesday. The British electronic band, showing anti-corruption slogans on stage, showed its Unfinished Sympathy for the civil disobedience movement during its concert in Bucharest. The band sure showed their fans they should not “Be thankful for what they’ve got”, by posting Sly slogans such as “Thieves at night” or even more precise ones about the capital’s budget and the pension which captured the Paradise Circus Romanian corruption is.
2. Polish President Andrzej Duda is formalizing his proposed referendum for the Polish constitution on November 10th and 11th, which is the centenary of Polish Independence. The vote itself would not determine the content of any new constitution, but instead, help guide lawmakers in the direction that the country supposedly wants. This comes just after both Polish Senators and MPs voted in support of controversial judicial reforms. One major issue with these two changes is that they are seen by the European Union, and the Polish opposition, as being part the effort to solidify the majority that Duda’s Law and Justice Party holds in the country’s government.
3. Kosovo Foreign Minister accused Serbia of meddling with Kosovo’s independence recognition internationally by bribing countries. According to an Amnesty International report, Serbia is selling arms to war-torn African countries Nigeria and Cameroon, which end up in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists. So far, Kosovo independence has been recognized by 115 countries so far. However, Kosovo’s position has never been as fragile as it is now, as Trump’s administration allegedly subscribes to the Russian view that Kosovo’s North should belong to Serbia – which Trump supported in a report this Wednesday.
4. Russia is working to have the alleged spy Maria Butina released from American prison where she is being detained in pre-trial detention. Her case has put a face on the tensions between the two countries. She was arrested on July 15th and is the first Russian arrested regarding Russia’s alleged meddling in the US elections. Russian embassy staff has promised to see her once a week while she is detained, though it is unclear how this will affect her case. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo regarding her case and is also working for her release. She is accused of using the influential American gun rights association, the NRA, to facilitate contact between the Russian government and the Republican party.
5. Macedonia main opposition party VMRO-DPMNE attempts to block the country’s European path as it did when it was in power for 11 years. By not appointing members of the Electoral Commission that would be responsible for implementing the referendum on the name deal, which is crucial for Macedonia’s future integration in international organizations, the party willfully obstructs the leading party’s attempts to resolve the almost three-decade old name issue. Allegedly, VMRO-DPMNE’s current leader would support the referendum under the condition that Macedonia’s criminal law was amended so that it would pardon the crimes high-level VMRO-DPMNE officials committed while in office. This is a thorn in the eye of one fraction of VMRO-DPMNE which wants to distance itself from “Gruevski’s DPMNE” and its crimes. Another condition that the leading party is allegedly willing to fulfill is the appointment of a technical government 100 days prior to the next elections.
6. Slovakia is concerned with the Russian motorcycle club Night Wolves, who have opened up a base of operations in the village of Dolná Krupá. The Night Wolves are notorious for their connection to the Kremlin and have been accused of being a pawn in the Kremlin’s hybrid warfare. The head of the Slovakian branch of the club is Jozef Hambálek, a close friend to former Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák. They have also started hosting training of a local paramilitary group, Slovenskí Branci. There have been calls on public officials to take action, but for now, it appears that the government is cautiously watching the bikers and is worried about the risk of giving the bikers more publicity by taking action against them.
7. Bosnia and Herzegovina had a tough week regarding security issues – real ones, but also abstract ones. The real ones include two Bosnian judges who were intimidated by anonymous death threats; Around 50 mayors and councilors who refuse to build asylum facilities in their municipalities trigger the more abstract ones. More than 9.000 refugees have entered Bosnia and Herzegovina on their way to Western Europe, and around 3.000 have stayed in the country, however, the country hasn’t approved asylum for anyone. The asylum facilities were intended to provide the refugees who can’t cross the border with temporary shelter and its funding was supposed to be provided by the European Union.
8. Protests against the invalidated mayoral elections of Moldova’s capital city of Chisinau continue to grow. Now, they are making clear demands, including either another vote or the acceptance of the previous vote, electoral reform, and possible legal actions against the judges who nulled the previous vote. Also, protests in support of the decision have formed, the most one being led by controversial politician and businessman Ilan Shor. With parliamentary elections coming at the end of the year, this will be a hot issue that will dominate political discourse, if there is no solution by then.
9. Greece tragedy shook the world last week, as more than 80 people lost their lives, more than 150 were injured, at least 1.000 homes were burnt to the ground, and many went missing in an inferno fire near Athens. A forensics team is trying to identify the corpses. The fire is said to be deliberately started. Criticism amasses about the government’s poor handling of the situation.
10. Another article-in-progress written by the murdered Slovak journalist Ján Kuciakwas was released. It tied members of the Italian mafia working in Belgium to a Slovakian hotel which was used to launder money. While an investigation into the gang took place a few years ago, nobody was charged because of it. Kuciak’s murder might rekindle the investigation, as Slovakian civil society was shocked by the murder and called for actions to continue his work. The act triggered a government crisis which saw the Prime Minister and Interior minister resign, and more could be on the way before the investigation is over.
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