Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from May, 2013
Is Ukrainian Right-Wing Blogger Eligible for the Bobs 2013 Award?
Ukraine was having a trouble-free debut at this year's The Bobs, Deutsche Welle's international blogger contest, until blogger Olena Bilozerska became the User Winner in the Best Blog Ukrainian nomination. Her victory turned sour and a scandal ensued when the Ukrainian netizens alerted the contest's organizers to her blog's ultra-right content. Oleg Shynkarenko reports.
Ukraine's Freedom Party Crusades Against Gay Pride Parade
On May 25, Ukraine will once again attempt to hold its first gay pride parade ever. The previous attempt failed a year ago, when the event was cancelled shortly before it was to begin and one of its organizers was beaten by a group of masked men. Judging from the online reactions that began to appear as soon as the upcoming Equality March was announced, things may not go very smoothly this year as well.
RuNet Apprehensive over Surkov's Dismissal, End of Political Era
"Before there was trickery, now it has been replaced with criminal charges and prison sentences. Surkov, whatever you may think of him, is, first of all, a political aesthete, who won't break pots with a hammer"
Police Raid Navalny's HQ in Kirov
At this very moment, Kirov police are searching [ru] Alexey Navalny's local headquarters, established to coordinate the blogger's public outreach in the city where he currently stands trial for embezzling roughly half a million dollars. The case has attracted international attention as the latest in a long series of politicized Russian judicial...
After Fatality, May 6 Displays Troubles & Resilience of Russian Protest Movement
The Russian opposition, it seems, can't catch a break. Sometimes, this is because the Kremlin's political technologists outmaneuver them. Other times, it is thanks to internal bickering. On May 6, however, the culprit was plain bad luck. For one man, that bad luck was fatal.
Crowdsourcing a Fair Election in Bulgaria
In less than five days, on May 12, Bulgarian citizens will elect a new parliament. There are doubts, however, about the fairness of the upcoming vote. To help monitor the violations of the electoral process, Bulgarian activists have created several online tools. Ruslan Trad reports.
Wiretapping Scandal, Voter Disillusionment Ahead of Bulgaria's Elections
Bulgarian citizens will have to make some difficult choices as they go to the polls on May 12, 2013, to vote in the parliamentary election. Nevena Borisova reports.
RuNet Speculates on Protest Rally Size, Again
Every Russian opposition rally and march attracts wild online speculation about the numbers of the participants -- both by observers and the participants themselves.
From Russia with No Love…for Central Asia
Migrants from Central Asia and the Caucasus are the usual victims of racist sentiment in Russia. Aware of deepening anti-migrant feelings, many of Moscow's politicians promote right-wing policies. But there is one politician that always goes a step further than the rest.
Absurdity Takes to the Streets in Russia
"A Monstration is a parody of a traditional demonstration, with absurd demands and slogans, where every participant says what they want."
The Kremlin Defeated the Russian Opposition?
“Do you really have the feeling that the old system collapsed after the December 2011 protests? The system defeated the opposition. It’s a fact.” Vladislav Surkov delivered this line earlier today to a crowd of reporters and students in London. Russian netizens were not happy.
Blaming the Blind Dog: Hungarian Politician's Domestic Violence Case
József Balogh, a Hungarian ruling party politician, has allegedly beaten his partner so badly that she had to be treated at a hospital. He claimed she had tripped over the family's blind dog, while she said the politician had hit her. Marietta Le reviews the memes and serious discussions that this incident has produced.
Tensions Grow at Moldova-Transnistria Security Zone
Tensions increased during the night of April 26-27 in the Security Zone of the Republic of Moldova, as the Transnistrian authorities unilaterally installed two checkpoints between the village of Varniţa and the city of Bender. Diana Lungu reports.
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