Political corruption
Report of the US State Department: Serious Corruption and Human Rights issues in Bulgaria
Significant human rights problems and insufficient tackling of corruption. These are some of the conclusions of the annual report of the United States Department of State on human rights in Bulgaria for last year.
North Macedonia Arrests Border Officer for Alleged Bribe-Taking
North Macedonia's deputy Interior Minister, Nazim Bushi told media that one officer at the Blace border crossing with Kosovo has been arrested after Albania's Klan TV published video footage that it claims shows how North Macedonian border officials there take bribes.
Bulgaria Remains at the Bottom of the Corruption Index
"Foreign investments have decreased by 50% over the past year, and this is a good litmus test," Kalin Slavov, executive director of Transparency International, told BNR before the presentation of the International Corruption Perceptions Index for 2021.
Platform B: China in the Balkans – Transparency Locked
Together with our partners, BIRN is launching a series of online and offline events aimed to amplify the voices of strong and credible individuals and organisations in the region that promote the core values of democracy, such as civic engagement, independent institutions, transparency and rule of law.
Bulgarians Hope ‘New Path’ Doesn’t End up Like Old One
The surprise winners in Bulgaria's third general election this year promise a radical break from past corruption - but the public has heard these pledges before.
Albania Journalist Union ‘Expected’ Public TV Director’s Arrest
Albania's Special Court on Monday confirmed the decision by the Special Prosecution Against Organized Crime and Corruption, SPAK, on Friday to arrest the former General Director of Albanian Radio National Television, RTSH, Thoma Gëllçi, for abuse of duty over a tender worth about 708,000 euros.
Cracks are Emerging in Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic Consensus
A growing association of the 'Euro-Atlantic consensus' with elite corruption and Western pressure has created an opening for people to question it - and relations with the West as a whole.
Washington Monthly: Give Greece back the Olympics – Opinion
Holding the games in a different country every four years invites chaos, corruption, and redundant infrastructure
Croatia’s Anti-Graft Body Probes Late Zagreb Mayor’s Associates
In a new anti-corruption action that started with arrests on Wednesday, Croatian police and anti-corruption investigators have launched an investigation into associates of former Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic, including the director of Croatian Radiotelevision, HTV, Kazimir Bacic.
Senate Republicans block sweeping US voting rights measure
U.S. Senate Republicans on June 22 torpedoed a Democratic effort to protect voting rights and expand ballot access for all Americans, a flashpoint issue months after an election marred by Donald Trump's baseless allegations of fraud.