Week in Review: Dangerous Rumours and Bilateral Tensions

War of Rumours

An old-Soviet tank keeps alive the memory of the Soviet Union in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Photo: courtesy of Cornelia Cozonac

It has been a tense few weeks in Moldova. First Ukrainian official warned that Russia was plotting to overthrow Moldova's pro-EU government. Then Russian media began to spread rumours that Ukraine was planning to invade Moldova's breakaway Transnistria region.

While the former has been confirmed as seemingly true by Moldovan officials, the latter has been denied. Our analysis takes a closer look at this ongoing (dis)information war and how it is affecting ordinary people.

Read more: Russian Rumour-Mongering Causes Fear of War in Transnistria (March 1, 2023)

Revolving Door

North Macedonia's Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski (L) accompanied by the members of his cabinet leaves the press conference after announcing that Government accepted French proposal to resolve the dispute between North Macedonia and Bulgaria and EU inn Skopje, 16 July 2022. EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

North Macedonia's wobbly government, led by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski of the SDSM, underwent a reshuffle on February 27. By bringing on board the Alliance for Albanians, it managed to expand its majority by some eight MPs.

While this should help stabilise the ruling majority, the constant rotation of ministers through different offices is unlikely to help improve government performance. Some 50 individuals have rotated through ministerial offices since the SDSM came to power some six years ago. We take a look at this ministerial merry-go-round.

Read more: North Macedonia's Revolving-door Ministries Reflect Culture of Political Bargaining (February 28, 2023)