Balkan News

DUI returns to Macedonian Parliament, DPA remains in government

The largest ethnic Albanian party in Macedonia, the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), has decided to resume participation in Parliament after a boycott lasting nearly four months. The move came after an agreement was reached with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski’s VMRO-DPMNE party.

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Romanian president begins consulting with parties on political issues

BUCHAREST, Romania — President Traian Basescu opened talks Monday (May 28th) with all the parties in Parliament, except for the nationalist Greater Romania Party. The main focus is on changing electoral legislation, introducing a majority voting system and forming a stable majority in government. Basescu returned to the presidency last …

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New French defence minister visits Kosovo, calls for solution ensuring peaceful future

MITROVICA, Kosovo, Serbia — France’s new defence minister, Herve Morin, was in Kosovo on Monday (May 28th), visiting the 2,800 French troops deployed in Mitrovica as part of KFOR. Saying the status quo is not sustainable, Morin called for a solution that offers a peaceful future to its public. Later …

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BiH politicians reject possibility of removing Dodik from office

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) — Several BiH politicians rejected the possibility Monday (May 28th) of removing Republika Srpska (RS) Prime Minister Milorad Dodik from office for blocking key constitutional and police reforms. The Stratfor intelligence agency says Dodik alienated US officials, including Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney, during talks …

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Trial of “road mafia” group opens at Belgrade special court

BELGRADE, Serbia — The trial of a group dubbed “the road mafia gang” opened at the Belgrade special court for organised crime on Monday (May 28th). The case involves 53 former officials, including top management of the state company Serbia Roads, who allegedly electronically diverted road tolls. Damages are estimated …

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Romanian justice minister to propose changes to new anti-corruption law

BUCHAREST, Romania — Justice Minister Tudor Chiuariu said on Monday (May 28th) that he would submit to the government draft changes to the recently adopted law establishing the National Integrity Agency (ANI), aimed at bringing more cases under ANI’s supervision. The law, passed by Parliament earlier this month, envisions ANI …

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