The leaders of Slovenia, Hungary and Poland, who rode to power on waves of anti-elitism anger, face rising opposition over their pandemic responses and heavy-handed policies.
Author: ANDREW HIGGINS
Wielding Twitter, Slovenia’s Prime Minister Takes Aim at the Media
Prime Minister Janez Jansa of Slovenia, which will take on the European Union’s rotating presidency next month, is using what press freedom groups call ‘Trumpian’ tactics.
Vaccine Mandate Unleashes a Mob in a Small Polish Town
The mayor of a former mining community in Poland received death threats and was compared to a Nazi death camp doctor after trying to make coronavirus shots obligatory for adults.
A Scratched Hint of Ancient Ties Stirs National Furies in Europe
Czech archaeologists say marks found on a cattle bone are sixth-century Germanic runes, in a Slavic settlement. The find has provoked an academic and nationalist brawl.
Village Caught in Czech-Russia Spy Case Just Wants Things to Stop Blowing Up
Was a huge blast at a Czech weapons depot sabotage by Russian spies? The villagers where it happened aren’t sure, but they do know they only want to watch James Bond films, not live inside one.
Russian Attempts to Expand Sputnik Vaccine Set Off Discord in Europe
Political turmoil in Slovakia is an example of how Russia’s vaccine diplomacy, which has divided politicians across Europe, can have negative side effects for a recipient country.
After Going ‘Free of L.G.B.T.,’ a Polish Town Pays a Price
Krasnik voted to be “free of L.G.B.T.” two years ago to satisfy conservative voters. Now, the mayor regrets the move, which has led to censure from other European countries and put funding at risk.
Slovakia Claims a Bait-and-Switch With the Russian Vaccines it Ordered
Slovakia says that Sputnik V doses it received did “not have the same characteristics and properties” as a version endorsed by a respected British medical journal.
Serbia Hails Chinese Companies as Saviors, but Locals Chafe at Costs
While the government is welcoming Chinese investors to save moribund businesses and bring much-needed capital, many Serbians are complaining of environmental and political impacts.
Arrests Shake Up a Soccer Scene in Serbia Ruled by Gangsters and ‘Gravediggers’
A reputed gangster and leader of an “ultras” fan group, who also reportedly had ties to the government, has been arrested following a series of gruesome murders connected to a Belgrade soccer stadium.