Balkans - Central European Times

Elections in the Balkans: Which Way Is Southeastern Europe Heading?

2 min read Bulgaria, Serbia, election, Balkans, Aleksandar Vučić, Student movement, Iliana Iotova, Democratic Transition, European Union

The Serbian election and the first round of Bulgaria’s presidential election both suggest that political forces in Southeastern Europe are shifting.

Bulgaria is turning – but in which direction?

2 min read 2026, elections, Bulgaria, Balkans, EU, Rumen Radev

The April 2026 Bulgarian election is not just another domestic political episode, but a turning point whose significance goes beyond the country’s borders.

EU assesses candidates' progress in ten country reports

8 min read Albania, Balkan countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eastern Europe, Economy, EU, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, News by country, North Macedonia, Politics, Serbia, Ukraine, Balkans, EU accession, European Commission

The European Commission (EC) analyses the accession prospects of all ten prospective members of the EU in a new set of reports on how the countries measure up to the criteria for governance, judicial independence and democratic standards required to join the bloc. The EC publishes an annual detailing of