Kremlin wirepullers may be encouraging the stalemate preventing elections being held in the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Moldovan politicians say.

While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock.

While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu’s surprise departure adds to political uncertainty – as high-profile corruption scandals pose risk to pro-European government’s credibility.

Phone fraud has become increasingly common in Moldova, and some experts say the trail leads to Russia.

Allegations about how relatives of President Maia Sandu got well-paid state jobs are raising questions about meritocracy and political accountability at a sensitive time – as Moldova opens EU accession talks.

Accession talks opened in a celebratory atmosphere in Brussels this month, but the most demanding stage of the process – implementing high-quality reforms – has to begin.

While some events covered in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week suggest that possible changes are afoot, other parts of the region seem stuck in the same rut.

A secret spy exchange between Russia, Moldova, Poland, Romania and the US shows Moldova has finally joined the ‘select club’ of European intelligence services.

The conviction of the once-powerful former tycoon Vladimir Plahotniuc is proof that Moldova’s judicial reform is providing results. The next test is making sure the system doesn’t drift back.

A momentous election spells change not just for Hungary but also for much of the Western Balkans, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights.

Court documents and interviews have revealed more about recruits from Moldova who were trained by Russian instructors at camps in Bosnia and Serbia to foment unrest, scout embassies and use military-grade drones.

From a political spying scandal to MAGA alignment and a brewing collision with the law, selection of BIRN Premium stories this week makes for an exciting read.

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and politicians in south-east Europe.

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and politicians in south-east Europe.

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

Keen to show loyalty to the US president, some Balkan states signed up to Donald Trump’s contentious ‘Board of Peace’. Others, meanwhile, are looking to the US for new business partnerships instead of towards Russia or China.

Our reporters this week continued to look at what 2026 holds in store for the countries of Southeast Europe and the Balkans. Read more in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories.

As 2026 begins, we look back on some of the most important investigations published by BIRN in its 20th anniversary year – from brutal migrant-smuggling gangs and arms deals with Israel to state surveillance of protesters and online frauds.

In the first of her monthly dispatches from the heartland of the European Union, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at which Balkan states have been getting gold stars – or black marks – from the enlargement commissioners.