Albania
Former Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha hosted an unofficial national assembly to oust the party’s current leader Lulzim Basha, former General Prosecutor Adriatik Lllalla arrested in Italy, and opposition to hold the first protest against the Open Balkan Initiative. Of the 4,934 delegates who attended the assembly, 4,446 delegates voted in favor, and 36 were against dismissing Basha. Lllalla is accused of accepting a 3.7 million euros ($4.1 million) bribe. The protests are scheduled for December 20th, when the initiative’s seventh summit will occur in Tirana.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
US envoy Palmer and EU envoy Angelina Eichhorst suspended negotiations and canceled a visit to the country, Serb Presidency Member Dodik stated that the RS National Assembly would adopt a law on the establishment of a High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council by the end of this month, and Bosniak Presidency Member Dzaferovic called for more substantial international military presence. The decision came after the RS National Assembly voted to leave central state institutions. Dodik stated that the state-level Council was created “on the basis of pressure and anti-Dayton behavior of High Representatives, which were supported by Western countries.” Dzaferovic asked the British Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Stuart Peach to help the county preserve its sovereignty.
Croatia
Parliament adopted a set of laws before the holiday break, Prime Minister Plenkovic commented on the ongoing crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Russia’s S7 Airlines is about to connect Moscow with Zagreb. Parliament adopted the new Budget Act, the new Conflict of Interest Prevention Act, and the Contagious Diseases Act. Plenkovic stated that electoral law should change to make Croats equal to the others. The carrier will start offering the Moscow-Zagreb service on January 23rd using Airbus A320 aircraft.
Kosovo
Former Kosovo Intelligence Agency Deputy Director Vlora Hyseni became Albanian Prime Minister Rama’s advisor, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo leader Haradinaj called on Kosovo Serbs to distance themselves from the language of interethnic hatred, and a project for railway project linking the country with Albania unveiled. Prime Minister Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani discharged Hyseni in June this year. The railway line would link Prishtina to Durres.
Montenegro
Deputy Prime Minister and URA’s leader Abazovic signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the opposition parties of Albanian and Bosniak minorities, opposition parties abandoned the no-confidence vote with a demand for early elections, and the jobless rate rises to 24.1% in November. Abazovic stated that the document is not aiming to create a minority government. There are 55,956 unemployed persons at the end of the month.
North Macedonia
Deputy Finance Minister Kovacevski was elected as the new leader of Social Democrats, Kovacevski is likely to become the new Prime Minister, and Mickoski was re-elected as the opposition VMRO-DPMNE leader. Kovaceski won more than 37,000 of just over 44,000 votes. President Pendarovsky will soon announce which party or coalition will form the new government. Mickoski stated that he expects early parliamentary elections and a stable government formed by his party.
Serbia
President Vucic commented “considerable” purchases of armaments for the Army, Rio Tinto plans for lithium mine suspended after the protests, and heavy snowfall created havoc in the country. Vucic stated that the government needs to enhance the county’s defense capabilities as the regional and global security situation is getting complicated. Rio Tinto said that it respected laws and the highest professional standards throughout its 10-year presence in the country. Many areas across the country reported power cuts and damages to buildings due to falling trees.