Albania
Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha resigned, judge Sander Beci was sworn in as the latest member of the Constitutional Court, and the Government was about to introduce new energy crisis measures. Basha said that he resigned “in order to assist in the resurrection and the unity of the Democrats.” Energy Minister Balluku announced that the new measures include scheduled power cuts throughout the country and the public sector “off days.”
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Negotiations on Electoral Law Amendment failed, Serb Presidency member Dodik denied wrongdoing related to a bank loan, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut the country’s 2022 growth forecast. HDZ’s Covic stated that “there are absolutely no conditions” for holding general elections in October. Dodik is under investigation for receiving a fictitious 750,000 euros loan from Pavlovic Banka to purchase a luxury property in Belgrade. IMF’s economic growth forecast is 2.5% now, citing possible spillovers from the war in Ukraine.
Croatia
The EU’s new Strategic Compass tailored in Zagreb, the Central Bank intervened to stabilize the forex market, and over 9,500 Ukrainians have entered the country. The Government insisted that the document also explicitly references Bosnia-Herzegovina’s constituent peoples. The intervention came due to a more robust demand for the euro against the Croatian currency kuna. Directorate of Civil Protection’s Marevic stated that the Government would continue to provide housing and financial support for the refugees.
Kosovo
The Government refused to open polling stations for Serbian elections, marked the 23rd anniversary of NATO intervention against Serbia’s military targets, and extended sanctions against Russian and Belarus individuals. The United States, France, Italy, Germany, and Great Britain were disappointed with the decision and warned the move would undermine the ongoing European aspirations. President Osmani honored the late US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for bringing about the 1999 NATO-led campaign against the Serb Army. The sanctions extend to the media and aim to shut down any state-sponsored media that spread Russian propaganda.
Montenegro
The Government refused to open polling stations for Serbian elections, considered a concessionaire for its territory’s Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline (IAP), and invited German investors to the country. Pro-Serb parties criticized the decision as “anti-Serb policy,” following the Government’s previous request for Serbia’s wheat and corn. The investment is estimated to be 207 million euros ($229 million). Deputy Prime Minister Abazovic met with the German delegation led by the Honorary Consul of Montenegro in Germany, Volker Zeh, interested in the digital, energy, and tourism potentials of Montenegro.
North Macedonia
Import from Serbia resumed, Prime Minister Kovacevski expressed gratitude for including the country in the EU Platform for joint purchase of liquefied natural gas and hydrogen, and M1 money supplies up 5.6% year-to-year at end-February. Serbia would resume exports of oil, wheat, maize, flour to the country. The Platform should ensure a lower gas price. The Central Bank’s data shows that the M1 money supply totaled 3.5 billion euros ($3.9 billion).
Serbia
President Vucic stated that Kurti “killed” the Brussels Agreement by escalating the situation on the ground, the Government is negotiating a new gas contract with Gazprom, and the country marked the 1999 NATO-led attack. Vucic said that “he will not leave their people without support” as Kurti replaced the President of the Basic Court in Mitrovica, Ljiljana Stevanovic after she met Vucic in Belgrade. The Director of Srbijagas Bajatovic announced that the negotiations should be completed by May 15. Vucic stated that Serbia would not join NATO as he cannot forget the children killed in the 1999 NATO attack.