Albania's war on TikTok
Albania's TikTok ban, tensions rising in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, and Georgescu’s exclusion from Romania's presidential elections. Plus: how do you say 'cringe' in Bosnian?
Hiya,
Welcome back! This is Balkan Brew—the newsletter that brings you the freshest news from the Balkans. I’m Rodolfo, holding down the fort solo this week while Tommi lives it up in the ville lumière, indulging in fancy foie gras and champagne. But hey—I’m not jealous: this week, I’m reporting from Sarajevo, and man, it feels good to be back.
In today’s newsletter: the legal troubles of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, fake students & real police violence in Serbia, and the exclusion of populist candidate Călin Georgescu from Romania’s presidential race. But first, let’s head to Albania, where the government is waging a war on TikTok.
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Albania’s war on TikTok
IT’S ON. Yesterday, Albania’s ban on TikTok went into effect.
WON’T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN. Prime Minister Edi Rama has banned the platform for a year, claiming it’s a move to curb youth violence after a 14-year-old was killed in a brawl that allegedly started as an argument on TikTok.
TAKING IT SLOW. As this newsletter goes out, TikTok is still at least partially accessible in Albania, suggesting that the ban is taking longer to roll out than expected.
GOOD COMPANY? Many governments have imposed partial TikTok bans, usually limited to public officials' devices. But full-on bans? Those are mostly found in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
BY POPULAR DEMAND. Rama says the decision came after consulting more than 65,000 parents and teachers.
SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN. He also posted on X that TikTok reps will soon visit Albania to propose solutions for making the app safer for kids.
MUZZLE. With general elections coming up in spring, opposition figures are accusing the government of using the ban to restrict free speech.
APPEALS. Albania’s journalists’ association isn’t having it—they plan to challenge the decision in the Constitutional Court.
It might get loud
On Wednesday, the State Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued an order for the state judicial police to bring in Milorad Dodik, the President of the Republika Srpska entity, along with RS Prime Minister Radovan Višković and the President of the RS National Assembly, Nenad Stevandić, for questioning.
THE WHOLE POINT. Dodik, Stevandić, and Višković have ignored multiple requests to show up for questioning in an investigation against them for “attacking the constitutional order”.
NOT GOING ANYWHERE. During a heated press conference the three made it clear they have no intention of complying with the State Prosecution’s request.
MEANWHILE. While this drama unfolded, the RS National Assembly was busy debating a draft for a new entity constitution, one that’ll give even more autonomy to the entity. The draft was approved on Thursday night.
THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES. Things might escalate quickly: since Dodik & Co. refuse to cooperate with the BiH State Prosecution, a national arrest warrant could be issued.
THAT OLD SERB CONNECTION. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that Serbia “will never allow” the arrest of Dodik, Stevandić, and Višković.
After Dodik’s interview with Giuliani, Vučić sat down for an interview with Donald Trump Jr. for his podcast “Triggered”.
PROBLEMS. Vučić, of course, has his own issues at home, with students planning another big protest in Belgrade for March 15 (students announced the protest by recreating an iconic scene from the Yugoslav cinema classic ‘Ko to tamo peva’, and it’s a must see).
FAKE STUDENTS… Recently, some “““students””” have started camping out in the center of Belgrade, supposedly showing their opposition to the protests that have been going on for months.
BUT. Many of them aren’t actually students, and they’re getting paid to be there, according to N1.
… REAL VIOLENCE. Serbian police have started using violence against the real students who are protesting the authorities. Many were beaten in front of the Serbian Radio Television on March 11.
Not So Fast, Mr. Georgescu
Last Sunday, Romania’s election committee barred pro-Russia populist Călin Georgescu from the presidential race. His appeal was rejected Tuesday, making it final.
WHY. Reuters put out an explainer on why Georgescu’s bid was blocked, ranging from suspicions of Russian involvement in his campaign to ongoing investigations against him.
SUPPORT #1. Many of Georgescu’s supporters were left in tears (quite literally) by the Constitutional Court’s ruling.
SUPPORT #2. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, slammed the CC’s decision, saying Romania has become “a caricature of democracy”.
IN OTHER NEWS.
Hundreds of women took part in protests in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 8, despite a ban on protests. Several were detained but later released, according to the BBC.
North Macedonia might soon start importing waste from the European Union, but the lack of an internal control mechanism could increase the risk of ecological damage.
Reliance on coal power could expose the Western Balkans to a major economic hit when European Union green tariffs come into force next year.
HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW BALKAN KIDS. It’s always tough to stay one of the cool kids as you get older. Back in the day, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Dubioza Kolektiv was one of the coolest acts from the region, blending badass rebel anthems with lighter, fun songs. But at some point, the band started leaning more and more into worn-out Balkan clichés, to the point where people started asking: has Dubioza become krindž?
You be the judge.
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AND FINALLY.
This is all for this week. As always, if you spot a mistake, want to add something, or just want to let us know whether you think Dubioza Kolektiv is cringe (honestly, by now, we kinda think so), the easiest way to reach us is by replying to this email. You can also hit us up on Bluesky, the social network where Tesla is, first and foremost, the name of one of the finest minds ever born in our favourite region. This is us: Rodolfo and Tommaso.
Until next week, stay cool,
BB