Bulgaria’s latest parliamentary election results suggest a major political shift with former president Rumen Radev winning more than 40 percent of the vote for his Progressive Bulgaria coalition. However, concerns over corruption and the integrity of the electoral process are once again under scrutiny.
In this episode, Across The Balkans examines how the political shift will affect the country’s future and speaks with Associate Professor of International Relations Kader Ozlem to unpack Bulgaria’s election results.
On April 12th, Hungary elected, as prime minister, pro-European, centre-right lawmaker Peter Magyar, from the Tisza party. The remarkable victory comes after 16 years under firebrand politician Victor Orban, known for his nationalistic and anti-immigrant stance, and his warm relations with Russia and Serbia. What does his departure mean for the country, and what direction will Magyar take towards the rest of the Balkans and Europe?
‘Take me to America’ is a song by Dubioza Kolektiv, a Bosnian avant-garde dub rock band, and its finding a new life online. More than a decade after its release, the song has recently gone viral on social media, after Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified for the FIFA World Cup. But behind the catchy chorus it has a deeper message, one that pokes fun not just at Balkan stereotypes, but also at the idea of the American dream.
Across The Balkans, hosted by Nadja Muftic, is TRT World’s programme focusing on the issues and fault lines shaping Southeast Europe today.