Balkan Press Review
In the headlines: Serbia's protests against electoral fraud and the Vucic regime are swelling
Several thousand people gathered in Belgrade to protest against alleged fraud in the parliamentary elections of 17 December 2023. © Darko Vojinovic / AP
By: Jean-Arnault Dérens Follow | Balkan Courier Follow
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Since the elections of 17 December, which were marred by very strong suspicions of fraud, the protests against the regime of Aleksandar Vučić have widened. On the evening of Sunday 24 December, thousands of people gathered to denounce electoral fraud. Violent incidents broke out in front of Belgrade's city hall. The next day, thousands of students demonstrated against the violent crackdown, blocking several streets in Belgrade. Russia speaks of an "attempt to destabilise abroad". But can Aleksandar Vučić's regime really falter?
While thousands of young people demonstrated for democracy in the streets of Belgrade, others cheered Vojislav Šešelj or Ratko Mladić. How did Serbian youth get to this point? Writer Vladimir Arsenijević evokes this "terrifying generation".
A "step forward"?
Meanwhile, Belgrade decided to allow vehicles with the registration number "RKS" to enter its territory, putting an end to a long conflict. While Brussels hails a "step forward", Serbs in northern Kosovo are divided. Pristina is waiting to see before applying reciprocity.
An "honorary retraining"
»Former head of the secret service, Aleksandar Vulin, who has become a nuisance in Belgrade, will be the subject of an "honorary retraining" by joining the Senate of the Republika Srpska of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He rubbed shoulders with former bishop Kačavenda, who was dismissed for a sex scandal, and filmmaker Emir Kusturica.
Towards an arrest of Edi Rama?
In Albania, parliament voted to lift the immunity of former prime minister and opposition leader Sali Berisha. The decision, sought by Edi Rama's Socialist Party, paves the way for his possible arrest as part of a corruption investigation.
Bribery and influence peddling
A series of investigations has revealed the underbelly of the financing of the powerful Romanian Orthodox Church, which receives millions of euros of public money every year for the remuneration of priests, the construction and maintenance of churches. The Orthodox Churches of the Balkans still have too close ties with nationalism and the political sphere.
« If you don't know, ask your grandfather »
In Montenegro, it is always a good idea to talk about "traditional values". Yet, these values were largely set during the communist era. Pre-1945 Montenegro, on the other hand, has little in common with the discourse of today's traditionalists.
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The Trojan Women hasn't aged a bit
On 23 November, the Dodona Theatre in Pristina, Kosovo, hosted the premiere of Trojan Women – Replica, an adaptation of Euripides' Greek tragedy, written by Shpëtim Selmani and directed by Kosovar Zana Hoxha and Serbian Dijana Milošević. An art project that offers a feminist look at war and peace, in the Balkans and beyond.
A work denouncing femicide causes a scandal
On display at the New York consulate in Greece, a Greek flag revisited in pink by artist Georgia Lale in tribute to victims of domestic violence has been removed at the request of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
►A press review presented in partnership with Le Courrier des Balkans
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