Stories about Eastern & Central Europe
6 February 2019
The ‘coal curtain’ is the new Iron Curtain
While Western Europe reduces its coal usage, the former Soviet bloc nations are moving in the opposite direction.
3 February 2019
Russian ‘anti-fake news’ bill rushed through parliament despite vocal opposition
Both the "anti-fake news" bill and its twin initiative against offending the authorities use Germany and other Western countries' laws as inspiration.
29 January 2019
Once-beloved youth magazine is accused of whitewashing legacy of Serbian Nazis
How did a magazine that enjoyed a cult status all over Yugoslavia seems to have betrayed its progressive values.
27 January 2019
Guinea has struggled under President Condé, but Russia backs his quest for a third term
"The question of political succession is a question of sovereignty. And sovereignty belongs to the people. It is not part of an ambassador's role to dictate Guinea's fate."
26 January 2019
Russia's isolationist ‘sovereign internet’ bill worries experts and users alike
Experts have pointed to the colossal costs associated with building the infrastructure required, and lamented that this would only lead to further monopolization of the Russian internet provider market.
23 January 2019
Local radio station in Russia cancels interview with LGBT activists after threats to editor
Homophobic abuse online didn't put the editor off, but anonymous calls threatening violence against her guests did.
18 January 2019
Mayor of Odessa could face criminal charges after his security attacked a local reporter
This is only the most recent episode in which Trukhanov or his subordinates have attacked journalists.
12 January 2019
Pro-Russia biker club admits participation in protests leading to violent attack of Macedonian Parliament
The revelations of the Night Wolves involvement are important because it flashes out the right-wing populist party VMRO-DPMNE's connections with the Kremlin.
10 January 2019
Russian feminists flip the script on classic Soviet films
The generation of Russians now in their mid-30s is finding their parents' TV and film role models disappointing by the modern standards of relationships and gender equality.
9 January 2019
Protests against President Aleksandar Vučić spread from Belgrade to cities across Serbia
For the first time since the 1990s, protests have united both left-leaning and right-leaning opponents of the ruling government under shared fears that it is descending into dictatorship and fascism.
7 January 2019
Singled out for search at a Serbian supermarket, Roma opera superstar accuses the store of racism
Ms. Knežević was stopped and searched in public while onlookers heckled her. In her backpack, security only found sheet music, books, and a wallet.
31 December 2018
Censored in 2018: Protest videos, court verdicts, real news — and Peppa Pig
From blocked websites to revoked media licenses to account shutdowns, censorship comes in many forms. Here are a few we saw in 2018.
27 December 2018
New edition of Macedonian Twitter Calendar combines nude art photography with humanitarian fundraising
Macedonian Twitter users come together to support humanitarian causes by posing for a nude calendar.
26 December 2018
Macedonian sex workers protest to demand decriminalization as antidote to violence
Macedonian sex workers took to the streets to demand fair and humane labor practices on the International Day to Stop Violence Against Sex Workers.
22 December 2018
Report says hackers detected online protest-sniffing software in Kazakhstan
The software was allegedly developed with help from Russia's security services.
20 December 2018
Student protester in Hungary: ‘I don’t want to go to jail for something I haven’t done’
"...now I get scared sometimes. I don’t want to go to jail for something I haven’t done. That’s not really my plan for the new year."
19 December 2018
In Hungary, protests continue at the public broadcast building where opposition MPs were removed by force
Protests continued in the Hungarian capital in front of the public broadcasting service building with opposition MP's ejected for demanding an end to the so-called "slavery law".
17 December 2018
Hungarians stage nightly protests against new court system and so-called ‘slavery law’
This article is based on the story “Hungarians protest against the government in front of Parliament every night” written by Anita Kőműves, with photos by Márk Tremmel and Áron Halász...
16 December 2018
Anti-violence protests continue in Belgrade, after journalist survives assassination attempt
Protests are estimated to have doubled in size after Serbian president vows "never" to meet demonstrators' demands.
14 December 2018
Russian reporter who faked his own murder named a ‘person of the year’ by TIME magazine
TIME ignored the murder of three journalists while including a staged one. Why couldn’t both be included?
About our Eastern & Central Europe coverage
Filip Stojanovski is the Eastern & Central Europe editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
