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“Facadization” of Tirana and “cannabization” of Albania

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Albania; Tirana; facadization; parliament; elections;

The tenth parliamentary elections in Albania since the fall of the communist regime headed by Enver Hoxha in 1991 are due to take place on 25 April 2021. At the parliamentary elections 140 members of the Parliament will be elected in 12 multimember constituencies through the open-list system and using proportional representation, with a 1% national threshold and allocation of mandates on the basis of the d'Hondt method.

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2021 Elections in Bulgaria: Boyko Borisov's “Russian roulette”

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Bulgaria; 2021: Boyko Borisov; parliamentary elections;

Regular parliamentary elections in the Republic of Bulgaria are due to take place on 4 April 2021. At the elections, 240 representatives/deputies in the Bulgarian National Assembly will be elected according to the proportional system with closed lists. The total number of electoral units is 31. Depending on the size of the electoral unit between four and 16 representatives/deputies get elected from it. The election threshold is 4%.

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Vienna process 2021: In times of crisis in Europe the Rule of Law needed more than ever

Author(s): Ivana Lima / Language(s): English

Keywords: Vienna process; 2021; Europe; crisis; rule of law; human rights;

On the historic date of March 08th 2021 (International Women’s Day), a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria.[2] Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event wasendorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood and Enlargement, Excellency Olivér Várhelyi.

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2021 Elections in Bulgaria: Bulgarian “assault” on North Macedonia

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Bulgaria; Elections; 2021; North Macedonia; politics; transparency;

In Bulgaria regular parliamentary elections are due to take place on 4 April 2021. At the elections 240 representatives/deputies in the Bulgarian National Assembly will be elected according to the proportional system with closed lists. In each of a total of 31 election units, between four and 16 representatives/ deputies depending on the size of the election unit will be elected. The election threshold is 4%. Previous elections in Bulgaria saw numerous cases of tampering with electoral rolls, election fraud, massive purchase of votes, unregistered voter ballots, extortion of votes from employees in (public) companies and public administration, modifications of voting protocols, declaring the ballots invalid, etc. However, the most renowned form of election fraud “patented” in Bulgaria is the so-called “Bulgarian train.”

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2021 Montenegro: Exporter of Crime to the Region

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Montenegro; 2021; region; parliament; elections;

The parliamentary elections in Montenegro, which were held on 30 August 2020, marked the defeat of the 31-year long regime headed by Milo Đukanović and his Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS). The new government was established on 4 December 2020 and it comprised three coalitions: “For the Future of Montenegro”/Koalicija za budućnost Crne Gore/ 32.55% (133,267), “Peace is Our Nation”/Mir je naša nacija/ 12.53% (51,297) and “Black and White”/Crno na bijelo/ 5.53 (22,649).

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New constructivism needed towards Europe's East

Author(s): Eugene Matos de Lara,Audrey Beaulieu / Language(s): English

Keywords: Europe; East; relations; future; economy; partnership;

On the historic date of 0March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process event titled: “Europe – Future – Neighbourhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by four different entities (the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies IFIMES, Media Platform Modern Diplomacy, International Scientific Journal European Perspectives, and Action Platform Culture for Peace) with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges.

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2021 North Macedonia: Increased Security Challenges and Threats

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: 2021; North Macedonia; security; challenges; threats;

After long and difficult negotiations in June/July 2015 the political leaders in North Macedonia brokered the Przino agreementand agreed to overcome the deep multiyear political crisis, which was caused by the illegal tapping of more than 20,000 citizens and the plunder by the regime in the amount of more than 5 billion Euros of public money, and then organizedearly parliamentary elections in December 2016 after the fulfillment of specific preconditions. The electoral rolls were “cleansed”as they included a “surplus” of no less than 330,000 voters and appropriate media regulations were established. Specifically, instead of the complete media hegemony of VMRO-DPMNE and the Nikola Gruevski - Sašo Mijalkov duo, all political subjects participating in the elections were given equal access and treatment in the media.

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The East European fire arc - an actual danger Romania should take into account

Author(s): Teodor Palade,Corneliu Pivariu / Language(s): English

Keywords: East Europe; Romania; politics; foreign policy;

We are an uncaring people. And, as a people, we are uncaring for we have repeatedly elected the wrong leaders. Moreover, it is widely known that Romania did not come up in the last decades with a single high standard politician. Not a single one! Beguiled by the petty indigenous bickering raised by the stakeholders to frightening dimensions and blinded by meaningless appearances, we do not care we are surrounded by complicated conflicted situations, dormant or active, each of them with real potential of generating at any moment devastating armed clashes.

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Turkey 2021: Is Turkey returning to the old electoral system?

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Turkey; 2021; politics; electoral system; political history;

President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated at the press conference on 1 February 2021 that preparations have started to draft the new constitution. “It is time for Turkey to discuss a new constitution again,” he said noting that “the source of the problem in Turkey since 1960 is the constitution made by putschists.” All political parties agree that the 1961 and 1982 constitutions were written after bloody military coups in 1960 and 1980 and do not accommodate for the current problems Turkey is facing. However, the opposition also demands early parliamentary elections.

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Improving human rights through empowering citizens and rebuilding trust across Europe

Author(s): Chloé Bernadaux / Language(s): English

Keywords: Europe; human rights; improvement; COVID-19;

“2020 has been a disastrous year for human rights in Europe,” commented Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at a speech in front of the Council of Europe at the end of last year. In an unprecedented fashion, the COVID-19 pandemic (C-19) has brought to fore a tremendous increase in human rights violations in 2020 throughout the world. According to Reporters Without Borders’ tracker 19 mapping human rights cases of abuse worldwide, Europe is no exception to the rule. While it contains one of the most advanced human rights protection systems globally, the old continent has seen itself prey to governmental and media attempts to erode democracy and human rights.

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2021 Early Elections on Kosovo: Chance for New Beginning?

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: 2021; Kosovo; elections; parliament; early elections;

For Kosovo, 2021 is a year of elections. The fifth parliamentary (early) elections will be held on 14 February 2021. After establishment of the parliamentary majority the next President of Kosovo will be elected, after what regular local elections will follow. In such a situation there is no ambiance for serious work, particularly with respect to combating the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as strengthening civic and other freedoms. The entire social-political life revolves around the elections and election campaigns.

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2021 Early Elections in Kosovo: End of an era

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: 2021; Kosovo; elections; early elections; politics;

The fifth parliamentary (early) elections in Kosovo, since its declaration of independence on 17 February 2008, will take place on 14 February 2021. The Kosovo Assembly has 120 representatives, with 20 mandates reserved for members of minority communities. Specifically, the Serb community gets 10 mandates, while the Bosniak community gets three, Turkish two, RAE (Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian) four and Goran community one mandate.

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Lessons learned after the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement

Author(s): Mirko Pejanović / Language(s): English

Keywords: Dayton peace agreement; war in BiH; politics; tension;

Over the past two and a half decades multiple problems have been identified in the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement. The process of development of the BiH society has generated some visible achievements that could lead to a stable development of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, at the same time, some halts in development of the BiH society and state are also notable. These halts have led to the deepening of the crisis in economic development, particularly since 2015. Namely, since 2015, several dozen thousands of young people have left Bosnia and Herzegovina and went to European counties in pursuit of economic prosperity.

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Balkan 2021: Who jeopardizes Balkans?

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Balkans; 2021; integrity; stability; politics; foreign policy; security; EU; NATO;

It will be recorded in the history of international relations that all countries of the Balkans peninsula, starting from Slovenia to Bulgaria had or have officially applied for membership in the EU and NATO, except for Serbia which has declared military neutrality, but is still a candidate for membership in the EU. Throughout the history, by means of public or secret agreements, international conferences, particularly in the case of the ending the two world wars, as well as the local wars in the Balkans and broader region, the major powers have always brokered agreements on their respective spheres of influences, which as a rule, did not respect the wills of those affected the most by such agreements- the states and peoples of the Balkans.

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Montenegro 2020: Đukanović's war with the USA (and the West)

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Montenegro; 2020; USA; Milo Đukanović; USA; foreign policy; elections; parliament;

On 30 August 2020, Montenegro held the 11th parliamentary election since the first multi-party election in 1990, and the fifth since Montenegro gained independence in 2006. The turnout was as high as 76.65%. The elections brought an end to the longest-running regime in Europe. After 31 ears, the citizens overcame their fears and renounced obedience to the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and its leader, the incumbent President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović.

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Time for clear words and actions

Author(s): Josip Juratović / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU; situation; 2020; politics; economy; rule of law;

With the Polish and Hungarian veto on the so-called Multi-year Financial Framework, the lingering conflict between the EU and its member countries that would like to enjoy the economic benefits of the EU without respecting the values of the rule of law and democracy, has recently escalated to a new level. In sign of protest against the proposed new clause regarding the rule of law, at the negotiations marathon that took place this summer heads of states and governments have already demonstrated their significantly “softened” approach with respect to the previous proposals of the European Commission and the European Parliament. Namely, what happened is that Warsaw and Budapest had blocked not just the European budget for the next seven years, but also the assistance for economic recovery of member countries, which have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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2020 Albania: Edi Rama takes Albania closer to Latin America not EU

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: 2020; Albania; EU; Latin America; foreign policy; politics; Edi Rama;

On 28 November this year Albania marked the 108th anniversary of its proclamation of independence from the Ottoman Empire. Ever since it became a sovereign and independent state Albania has been marking this day as the “Flag Day”, which symbolizes the unity of all the Albanians. However, the situation in Albania is a far cry from any unity, and the country lumps together with politically unstable and underdeveloped European countries.

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2020 Bosnia and Herzegovina- Croatia: Relations in the shadow of recent history

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: 2020; BiH; Croatia; relations; foreign policy; politics; elections;

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the seventh local elections since the signing of the Dayton peace agreement were held on 15 November 2020. The elections brought about tectonic changes on the political scene and are a prelude to the announced political changes at the parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place on 2 October 2022. Political changes had also led to success in North Macedonia, with the arrival of Zoran Zaev (SDSM) to power. Zaev took his country to membership in NATO and it is expected that Macedonia will soon open the accession talks with the European Union. The Brussels Dialogue between the official Belgrade and Priština is entering its final phase. In Montenegro, the recent parliamentary elections resulted in the fall of the 31- years long regime headed by Milo Đukanović (DPS), which was an introduction into groundbreaking political changes and stabilization of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina 2020: There will be no rule of law without comprehensive judicial reform - Fadil Novalić case illustrates the state of the BiH judiciary

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; 2020; rule of law; judicial reform; Fadil Novalić;

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the judiciary is an obstacle to any progress in the country. Domestic and international experts have identified the situation in the judiciary but it is necessary to take a step forward, with strong international support and leadership. Without cleaning up the judiciary, the country’s overall progress and profound political changes will remain impossible.

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Morocco’s relentless diplomacy in the Libyan crisis

Author(s): Faiza Koubi / Language(s): English

Keywords: Morocco; Libyan crisis; diplomacy; stability; security;

The outbreak of the Libyan crisis in 2011 prompted earlier attempts of Morocco to help lull this storm, as Morocco, a country of the Maghreb that shares common interests with Tripoli. Indeed, Morocco advanced steps towards settling the conflict was sided by its positive neutral stance in contrast with its neighbours which were in the situation of wait and see. Presumably, Morocco seems the right track as unlike the numerous meeting to solve the dispute, it may boast it edge-cutting achievements with Skhirat agreement and later on.

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Series:IFIMES Research Papers

“Facadization” of Tirana and “cannabization” of Albania

2021 Elections in Bulgaria: Boyko Borisov's “Russian roulette”

Vienna process 2021: In times of crisis in Europe the Rule of Law needed more than ever

2021 Elections in Bulgaria: Bulgarian “assault” on North Macedonia

2021 Montenegro: Exporter of Crime to the Region

New constructivism needed towards Europe's East

2021 North Macedonia: Increased Security Challenges and Threats

The East European fire arc - an actual danger Romania should take into account

Turkey 2021: Is Turkey returning to the old electoral system?

Improving human rights through empowering citizens and rebuilding trust across Europe

2021 Early Elections on Kosovo: Chance for New Beginning?

2021 Early Elections in Kosovo: End of an era

Lessons learned after the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement

Balkan 2021: Who jeopardizes Balkans?

Montenegro 2020: Đukanović's war with the USA (and the West)

Time for clear words and actions

2020 Albania: Edi Rama takes Albania closer to Latin America not EU

2020 Bosnia and Herzegovina- Croatia: Relations in the shadow of recent history

Bosnia and Herzegovina 2020: There will be no rule of law without comprehensive judicial reform - Fadil Novalić case illustrates the state of the BiH judiciary

Morocco’s relentless diplomacy in the Libyan crisis