From fresh battles over memory in Bosnia to the acquittal of North Macedonia’s former PM and Turkey’s post-coup legacy, this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories show how contested history keeps the region chained to its past.

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.

Calls are growing for Democratic League of Kosovo leader Lumir Abdixhiku to stand aside and let someone else try and restore the party’s standing, lost two decades ago when its founding father and Kosovo independence icon Ibrahim Rugova died.

After snap elections failed to transform the parliamentary landscape, the question is whether the rival parties can now reach an understanding to elect a president and so end Kosovo’s political deadlock.

Three elections in 16 months have ended up with the same outcome and the same deadlock. But new elections are not the solution – political compromise is.

Albin Kurti’s election gamble paid off – but he must take note of the signal the country sent in a lower turnout and a drop in his party’s votes, experts told BIRN.

Vetevendosje hails another election victory - but its reduced vote points to likely need to cooperate with other parties to form government.

As Kosovo heads toward its third election in 16 months – with few signs that it will resolve the political deadlock – acting PM Kurti faces accusations of using public money to swing voters.

Women politicians such as ex-President Vjosa Osmani are frequent targets of AI-generated false content and online abuse as Kosovo heads to the polls.

Abandoned by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Kosovo's ex-President Vjosa Osmani has returned to the opposition party she left six years ago. But will the rapprochement help or hinder the LDK come elections in June?

Following parliament’s failure to elect a new president, Kosovo is heading towards snap polls in which former President Vjosa Osmani is clearly planning a role.

In her latest despatch from the US, Jovana Djurovic considers how far Trump has turned things upside down – and how Balkan states are scrambling to appease him.

Kosovo MPs supported a bill to ratify the country’s membership of President Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’, with lawmakers saying it helps the Balkan state get closer to the US.

A meeting between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and opposition leader Lumir Abdixhiku to agree on who should become the next head of state ended without results, raising concerns about snap elections.

In her latest despatch from the US, Jovana Djurovic considers how far Trump has turned things upside down – and how Balkan states are scrambling to appease him.

Western Balkan leaders are taking diplomatic sides in the US-Israeli war on Iran and the region faces escalating energy prices – with the economic impact likely to be more serious than any potential security risks.

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at future goals as well as lost opportunities from the past.

In her latest despatch from the US, Jovana Djurovic looks at the support shown by Balkan leaders for Donald Trump’s war of choice in Iran and the ties that are starting to bind the American right and Serbs enamoured of MAGA.

From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region.