Balkan Press Review

In the News: Serbia in shock after two mass killings

A young girl lays flowers for the victims outside the Vladimir Ribnikar school, two days after a 13-year-old boy used his father's weapons to kill eight classmates and a guard, in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, May 5, 2023. AP - Darko Vojinovic

Text by: Courrier des Balkans Follow | Simon Rico Follow

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Serbia mourns its dead. On Wednesday 3 May, a 14-year-old boy opened fire in a Belgrade school, killing nine people: eight children and an intervening guard. On the night of Thursday to Friday, a man fired an automatic weapon in several villages near Mladenovac, about 60 km south of the capital. Provisional toll: eight dead and thirteen wounded.

Many denounce the climate of violence prevailing in Serbian society and the massive circulation of firearms, often undeclared. According to a 2018 study, there are more than 39 small arms and light weapons per 100 inhabitants in Serbia, the 3rd highest rate of armaments in the world after the United States and Yemen.

► Read also: Russia Today recruits figures of journalism in Serbia

Elections in Turkey... and Gagauzia

The first round of presidential and general elections is approaching in Turkey: on 14th May more than 60 million voters are called to vote. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hopes to win another term, but he faces competition from the quasi-united opposition candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

One of the keys to the election is runaway inflation, which is causing a lot of concern. Despite the delicate economic context, supporters of the Ankara strongman remain convinced that he is the man for the job. Reporting from Istanbul.

To understand all the issues at stake in this crucial double election, the Courrier des Balkans is organising a webinar on Monday 8 May from 19pm to 20.30pm with two specialists: economist Ahmet Insel, author of the book Erdogan's New Turkey: From the Democratic Dream to the Authoritarian Drift, and Nora Seni, historian, professor emeritus at the University of Paris VIII. Free and mandatory registration here.

On 14 May, Gagauzia also voted. This autonomous province of Moldova, mainly Turkish-speaking, elects its governor. In the first round, Sunday, April 30, the eight candidates in the running were all in favor of Moscow's line. In Chișinău, pro-European leaders denounced "Russian interference" in the election.

► Read also: Russia: Mikhail Mizintsev, from the Russian army to Wagner

Russians change Belgrade, Ukrainians pushed out in Romania

According to the latest official statistics, about 200,000 Russians have moved to Serbia since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. And they are disrupting the social, cultural and economic life of Belgrade, where they are most numerous.

Until recently, Romania was considered a model country for hosting Ukrainian refugees. But the government in Bucharest has just announced its new aid package, much less generous and much more restrictive. Despite the fear, many women are already thinking about leaving with their young children.

► Read also: The Sicules, this people of border guards in Romania

A May 1st under the sign of inflation

In the Balkans, May 1st is more a celebration than a day of demands: we hope it is sunny to have a barbecue with loved ones in a beautiful place. The defence of workers' rights even seems to have become a secondary issue... Despite inflation. "Given the prices, we are left with only Lidl's ćevapi", regional overview. Last autumn, the President of the European Commission pledged €500 million in emergency aid for the six Western Balkan countries. The objective: to cope with the massive rise in energy prices, which further weaken impoverished populations. The money has just arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but many worry that it will not be seen. Testimonials.

On Wednesday 3 May, thousands of pensioners demonstrated in Ljubljana for the fourth time since February. They are demanding an increase in their pensions and the resignation of the centre-left government. At the origin of this mobilization, a citizens' initiative led by a close friend of the ultra-conservative former Prime Minister Janez Janša.

► Read also: Inflation rising in the euro zone, the decisions of the ECB expected

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Greek salad from Klapisch and solidarity with refugees

In his series broadcast since mid-April on Amazon Prime, Cédric Klapisch films a Franco-British brother and sister who help refugees in squats in Athens. A reality that has existed, but which is no longer quite on the agenda, since the conservatives of New Democracy (ND) came to power in the summer of 2019. Decryption.

► Read also: In Rhodes, tourism-king facing the challenges of sustainable development

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