Reports that Donald Trump allegedly urged Polish Deputy Prime Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz to leave Donald Tusk’s coalition and form a government with the opposition remain unverified, though Tusk confirmed a politically sensitive meeting took place. Poland also faces a series of school knife attacks that left one person dead and 11 injured, prompting increased security measures as investigators examine possible links. Hungary’s government proposed a wealth tax on assets above one billion forints and is considering a Budapest-led bid for the 2036 Olympics. Czech President Petr Pavel drew cross-party criticism for being abroad during local elections. In Slovakia, the government’s 2027 deficit plan faces opposition and a court challenge, while a new statue of Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev was unveiled amid unanswered questions about its funding.

A roundup of Balkan Insight reporting focuses on elections and political shifts across the region. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s new voting technology did little to alter the result: nationalist parties strengthened their position while civic and leftist parties lost ground. Kosovo elected Justina Shiroka Pula president at the deadline to avert another election, following political turmoil surrounding Hashim Thaci’s war-crimes verdict; a related opinion argues that the United States increasingly treats Kosovo as a bargaining chip. Serbia’s upcoming parliamentary election will test the ruling Progressive Party against the Student List, which has evolved from a protest movement into an electoral force. In Albania, proposed criminal-procedure changes have prompted concern that they could weaken SPAK. In Greece, aid worker Tommy Olsen argues that his prosecution could deter humanitarian assistance to migrants.

Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay, elected in 2024 as a Republican People’s Party candidate, joined President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party, giving the AKP control of the mayoralty despite its history of losing elections in the city. Tugay praised Erdogan and said he looked forward to serving Izmir. The defection comes amid wider upheaval among Turkey’s opposition, including Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas’s departure from the CHP and the emergence of the New Party. The opposition retains a strong majority on Izmir’s metropolitan council, and New Party leader Ozgur Ozel challenged Erdogan’s claim of political success in the city.

Opposition figures in Bulgaria condemned Prime Minister Rumen Radev for denouncing a drone attack on two cargo ships in Bulgarian Black Sea waters without naming Russia, which they say reflects sympathy for the Kremlin. The strike sank a Palau-flagged vessel, damaged a Togo-flagged ship, injured two sailors seriously and prompted the evacuation of 16 crew members. Radev said the drones could have been Russian or Ukrainian and warned that the war in Ukraine could widen. Acting President Iliana Iotova convened the security council, while Radev questioned the need for the move. The attack's perpetrator and the ships' cargo remain unconfirmed as rescue operations continue.

Preliminary results from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s general election, with more than 90 per cent of votes counted, point to a reshaped tripartite presidency and a sharp turnout decline to 42 per cent, down 9.5 percentage points from 2022. Denis Becirovic won the Bosniak seat, HDZ BiH candidate Darijana Filipovic led the Croat race, and SNSD incumbent Zeljka Cvijanovic secured a second Serb term. The SNSD also led in Republika Srpska, preserving Milorad Dodik’s political influence despite his ban from public office; Dodik credited the Trump administration’s lifting of sanctions on him and allies and thanked Vladimir Putin for his support. The Central Election Commission cautioned that results remain preliminary. Voting proceeded without major disruption, although newly introduced biometric identification and ballot-scanning systems had minor issues.

The article discusses the deteriorating condition of trees in Cișmigiu Park, Bucharest, highlighting the lack of long-term planning and proper management. Landscape architect Diana Culescu explains the visual language of trees and the importance of understanding their needs for urban planning. The piece criticizes the inefficiencies of local authorities and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive green space registry and collaboration with specialists. It also touches on the historical significance of the park and the impact of recent administrative decisions on its current state.

Key sectors of European economies depend on mobile workers from within and outside the EU. This article explores labor migration from Botoșani, Romania, highlighting personal stories and the socio-economic impact on the local community. It discusses the challenges faced by local industries, the decline in population due to migration, and the efforts of individuals like Daniel Câșlariu to support their hometown. The narrative underscores the complex decisions behind migration, the historical context of local industries, and the ongoing struggle for better opportunities abroad.

In June 2020, over 1,000 workers at Germany's largest slaughterhouse, Tönnies, were infected with COVID-19, with the majority being foreign workers, predominantly Romanians. The outbreak highlighted the poor working conditions and living situations faced by migrant workers. German authorities proposed a law to grant more rights to these workers, but the meat industry's lobbying efforts led to a compromise that allowed subcontracted employment to continue until 2024. The article follows the stories of several Romanian workers, detailing their struggles and the systemic issues within the meat industry. It also covers the response from unions and activists, as well as the political debate surrounding the proposed legislation.

The article narrates the personal story of F., a former gambling addict in Romania, detailing his journey through addiction and the impact it had on his life and relationships. It highlights the severe consequences of gambling addiction, comparable to those of alcohol or drug addiction, and the stigma associated with it. The narrative also touches on the psychological aspects of addiction and the struggle to overcome it. Additionally, the article provides information on various clinics and support centers in Romania that offer treatment and assistance for gambling addiction.

During the pandemic, many people, like Irina and Karin, adopted pets to cope with loneliness and emotional challenges. A survey by ARPAC found that 17% of dog owners and 16% of cat owners got a pet during the emergency state, driven by emotional factors. Pets provide practical benefits like reducing stress hormones and offering unconditional love, which can help confront the common fear of death. Biologist Alexandru Stermin from Babeș-Bolyai University explains that pets serve as social beings that mirror our emotions and help us extend ourselves during crises. As people age, the relationship with pets deepens, providing comfort against the ever-present fear of death, especially during the pandemic.