Serbia just doesn't stop
Serbian protests escalate, Kosovo shuts parallel institutions, and ex-Romanian leaders face crimes against humanity charges. And beware: dangerous salmon are loose.
Good morning,
This week has flown by — it’s Friday again and Balkan Brew is here, as punctual as ever, with a fresh blend of Balkan news.
We begin in Serbia, where protests show no sign of stopping. Then, we head to Kosovo, where a controversial move has led to the closure of Serbian-run parallel institutions. Finally, we wrap up with Romania and its ghosts from the past. But also — old trams, love maps, and evil salmon.
GOT NEWS? We are always on the lookout for news and little curiosities from the region. But if you think we missed anything, hit us up, you just need to reply to this email! And if you haven’t, you can also subscribe for free by hitting the button below 👇
Serbia just doesn’t stop
It was the usual “Stop, Serbia”, the 15-minute silent protest held by Serbian students against the government: one minute for every victim of the Novi Sad train station disaster. But on January 16, as the blockade was beginning in central Belgrade, a man drove into a 20-year-old law student, injuring her and putting her in the hospital.
STABLE CONDITION. The student is reportedly in stable condition. The driver has been detained and is facing charges of attempted murder.
“YOU WILL NOT TRAMPLE ON US”. Protests resumed shortly after the accident in several Serbian cities, including Belgrade, Niš, and Kraljevo — the injured student’s hometown.
WIDESPREAD SUPPORT. According to a public opinion survey by the non-profit Crta, 61% of the Serbian population supports the students’ protests. With schools and universities suspending classes — and theaters halting plays — support seems to be growing.
PANICKING? On January 15, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić attempted yet again to calm the protests by offering an advisory referendum on his presidency, stating he would resign if the vote turned against him.
TRICKS. However, an advisory referendum is not legally binding, and the Serbian constitution doesn’t allow for a referendum to impeach the President. To many — including us, for what it’s worth — this appears to be just another diversion tactic.
The end of an era
On the morning of January 15, authorities in Kosovo announced the closure of the parallel institutions used by the country’s Serb minority — and financially supported by Serbia — in 10 municipalities.
SOUNDS DEFINITIVE. “From today on, the chapter of Serbia’s illegal criminal parallel structures in the Republic of Kosovo is closed,” Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla said.
“FORGOTTEN” PAPERWORK. According to the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Pristina, however, there was “no official written request” for the police raids. The European Union has joined others in condemning the move.
ONE BY ONE. Wednesday morning’s raids are just the final step in the process of closing the parallel Serbian institutions in the country, that began in January 2024.
NOW WHAT? Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić assured that the workers won’t lose their jobs. In the past, Serbia established new offices on its territory near the Kosovo border to replace those closed (which means people have to commute across the border). Vučić also announced salary increases for commuting employees.
WHY NOW? Kosovo’s parliamentary elections are set for February 9, and the move appears aimed at bolstering outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s position.
Mineriada’s Long Shadows
On January 15, Romania’s General Prosecution Office announced that former President Ion Iliescu and former Prime Minister Petre Roman are being charged with crimes against humanity for their alleged role in the violent crackdown on protests in Bucharest back in 1990.
REMEMBERING MINERIADA. In June 1990, Romanian police clamped down on protests against the government, with help from miners in the Jiu Valley. Four people were killed, and over a thousand were injured.
MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU. Presidential elections are finally happening on May 4, with a possible runoff set for May 18.
FAKE NEWS. Călin Georgescu, the populist pro-Russian TikTok candidate claimed he got an invite to Trump’s inauguration but decided to pass. The US embassy in Bucharest quickly shot down that claim, saying Georgescu was never invited.
IN OTHER NEWS.
The leader of Moldova’s breakaway region, Transnistria, Vadim Krasnoselsky, announced that Russia will be supplying gas “as humanitarian aid” to the region, which is currently grappling with a major energy crisis. The details — like when and how this will actually happen — are still unclear.
Albania has given preliminary approval to a plan by Jared Kushner (Donald Trump’s son-in-law) to build a luxury hotel complex on a small, abandoned military base.
In Istanbul, Turkey, over 30 people have died after consuming bootleg alcohol. Deaths from counterfeit alcohol are sadly on the rise, as the cost of legitimate alcoholic drinks keeps climbing.
Bulgaria has a new government! It’s their 7th one in just four years. The big question: will this one stick around?
AND FINALLY. Trieste holds a special place in the hearts of Balkan Brew and many people in the region, and the iconic tram de Opicina (Opicina tramway) has a special place in the hearts of Trieste’s muli and mulete1. This legendary tram, which first opened in 1902, connects the city center with the peripheral neighborhood of Opicina, near the border with Slovenia. After being out of service for several years due to safety concerns, it’s finally back on track!
MAKE IT QUEER. Take a moment to scroll through Queering the Map, a community-driven platform where LGBTQ+ folks share places that hold a special meaning for them and tell their stories. Whether it’s in the Balkans or anywhere else in the world, it’s a beautiful mix of love, history, and resistance—exactly what we need more of these days.
And this is all for this week! If you liked this newsletter, why not share it with your friends? And if someone forwarded this email to you, consider joining us. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any comments, ideas, or suggestions—just reply to this email or hit us up on Bluesky. You can find us here: Rodolfo & Tommaso.
Until next week, may your map be filled with love.
BB
muli and mulete: in the local Trieste patois, boys and girls