Lukashenko frees 23 more Belarusian political prisoners
Nearly 1,300 prisoners remain behind bars in Belarus, Viasna Human Rights Center reported.
Elections
Russian-friendly incumbent Zoran Milanovic re-elected president of Croatia
Milanovic's re-election to the largely symbolic position serves as a setback for Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic’s government, whose government was recently embroiled in a corruption scandal implicating a former health minister.
Lukashenko refuses to invite OSCE observers to upcoming election
"This decision underscores the continued lack of commitment by the Belarusian authorities to invite other OSCE states to observe and provide an independent view on whether the elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and international democratic standards."
Trudeau to resign as Prime Minister, party leader, to stay in office until replacement selected
Trudeau has faced mounting pressure from his party, particularly after the abrupt resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Dec. 16.
Lukashenko to visit China ahead of Belarus presidential elections
The reported visit will be Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko's third trip to China in three years. Lukashenko is likely looking to reduce Belarusian dependence on Russia, Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation said.
Ukraine war latest: Russian envoy dismisses Trump’s reported peace deal; over 50,000 Russians seek MIA soldiers
Key developments on Jan. 3: * Over 50,000 Russians seek MIA through Ukraine’s project, representative says * 'Nothing interesting' — Russian envoy dismisses Trump’s reported peace deal proposals on Ukraine * Germany should not rule out peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, CDU lawmaker says * 'We would violate Ukrainian legislation on behalf of
'We would violate Ukrainian legislation on behalf of Putin' — Zelensky again rejects elections under martial law
Ukraine will not hold elections under martial law even if Russia puts it forward as one of the pre-conditions for negotiations, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview on Ukrainian television released on Jan. 2.
Anti-Western Kavelashvili sworn in as Georgia's president, pro-EU Zourabichvili disputes legitimacy
Georgian anti-Western politician Mikheil Kavelashvili, an ally of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was inaugurated as the country's sixth president on Dec. 29 in a move seen as illegitimate by the opposition.
Russian-friendly politician reinvents himself in Ukraine as election speculation looms
A video published on TikTok by Yuriy Boyko, a pro-Russian lawmaker and former head of the banned Opposition Platform — For Life, was met with public outrage in Ukraine. In his Dec. 14 video, Boyko repeated long-standing Russian propaganda points of radicals controlling Ukrainian streets. Sitting in his office and looking
OSCE urges Tbilisi to institute reforms in final report on Georgian parliamentary elections
"To safeguard the democratic principles currently at stake in Georgia, it is imperative that the authorities urgently address all concerns," OSCE representative Eoghan Murphy said.
Scholz's Social Democratic Party rejects sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine in election program, media reports
"We stand by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision not to deliver the Taurus cruise missile from the Bundeswehr's stocks," the SPD program reportedly reads, adding that weapons deliveries should come with "prudence and a sense of proportion."
Romanian constitutional court annuls results of presidential election's first round
The Romanian Constitutional Court annulled the results of the first round of the presidential election, which had been led by anti-NATO, pro-Russian independent candidate Calin Georgescu, Digi24 reported on Dec. 6.
Romania targeted by 'aggressive Russian hybrid attacks,' authorities say amid elections
Romanian authorities on Dec. 4 declassified evidence of what they described as a "highly organized" social media campaign backed by a "state actor" to boost pro-Russian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu in a recent vote.
Georgia’s fight for democracy is at a breaking point
On Oct. 26, Georgia held parliamentary elections under a proportional system with a 5% threshold. According to the Central Election Commission, the ruling Georgian Dream party secured 53.93% of the vote, earning 89 parliamentary mandates but falling short of a constitutional majority. Opposition parties received 37.79% of the
What Ukraine can expect from the European Parliament’s new term
The European Parliament has long upheld democracy, human rights, international law, and peace. This tradition has been especially evident in its robust response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. As the Parliament enters its 2024-2029 term, we examine its political stance over the past two years and assess what Ukrainians
Romania's ruling social democrats on course for most votes, far-right comes in second, preliminary results show
Romania’s ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) received 22.5% of the votes during the parliamentary elections, according to results from more than 99% polling stations published on Dec. 2.
Georgescu’s rise exposes the fragility of Romania’s pro-European consensus
The meteoric rise of hardcore nationalist Călin Georgescu in Romania’s first-round presidential election over the weekend is nothing short of remarkable. Georgescu surged from just a few percentage points in polls weeks before the vote to claim over 23% of the electorate, defeating candidates from the country’s two
Opinion: Georgia’s civil society is the last line of defense for democracy
Georgia finds itself at a crossroads. The Oct. 26 elections, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory, have brought to the surface deep concerns about the integrity of our democracy. Civil society organizations, independent media, and the international democratic community have all raised alarms about widespread irregularities during
Far-right Ukraine aid critic takes surprise lead in Romanian presidential election
Calin Georgescu, a far-right critic of Romania's pro-NATO and pro-Ukraine policy, is projected to enter the presidential run-off vote after a shock result in the first round on Nov. 24.
'Whoever enters parliament enters Russia,' Georgian president says
"I am sure that the parties will not enter the parliament ... Today, whoever enters the parliament will enter Russia," Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said on Nov. 22.
'It was my first revolution' — Ukrainians look back on the Orange Revolution 20 years later
Two weeks before Ukraine's pivotal 2004 presidential election, 22-year-old filmmaker Iryna Tsilyk found herself at the center of a heated exchange during a trip to Moscow. The upcoming elections were a topic of group conversation and one Russian woman, bristling with anger, demanded, “How dare you Ukrainians think you are
Opinion: Berlin's coalition drama puts Ukraine — and Europe — at risk
Donald Trump’s re-election has sent political shockwaves across the Atlantic, pushing Germany — Ukraine’s second-largest donor — into a decisive moment. The election has intensified internal divides and sparked a reckoning over Germany’s role in European security. For years, German leaders deferred tough decisions on Ukraine, relying on U.
KI Insights next monthly briefing: Ukraine’s post-war electoral scenarios
Join our exclusive KI Insights monthly briefing to gain valuable perspectives on Ukraine's post-war electoral landscape. This session is designed for analysts, policy-makers, academics, and businesses seeking to understand the future dynamics of Ukraine's political environment. Event Details: * Topic: Ukraine’s post-war electoral scenarios: The candidates and the electorate * Presenter:
Updated: Georgian police disperse protesters in Tbilisi, 16 detained
Georgian police dispersed a protest in Tbilisi demanding new elections on the eve of Nov. 18, but organizers promised a quick resumption elsewhere.
Tbilisi court rejects 11 lawsuits challenging Georgian election results
A Tbilisi court has dismissed all 11 lawsuits filed by Georgian opposition parties and civil society organizations seeking to invalidate protocols issued by district election commissions, News Georgia reported on Nov. 14.
Moldova protests to Moscow over election interference, downing of Russian drones
The Moldovan Foreign Ministry protested to the Russian ambassador against "Russia's illegal interference in the elections and referendum in Moldova to distort their results, undermine and delegitimize the democratic process in Moldova."
Orban's hold on Hungary weakens as opposition unites behind unlikely challenger
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Nov. 7, looked confident. Budapest was hosting the European Political Community gathering, with Orban hugging it out with the continent's leaders whose standing at home leaves them little leeway to challenge the Russian-friendly prime minister. Orban's standing at home, practically unchallenged since 2010, has
Belarus Weekly: Dictator Lukashenko allows six token candidates to 'challenge' him at the ballot
Belarus concludes registration for the 2025 presidential election, allowing six token candidates to “challenge” dictator Alexander Lukashenko at the ballot. Ahead of the upcoming election, Belarusian law enforcers conduct sweeping raids, human rights group Viasna reports. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto argues against sanctions, engages with Belarus, Russia at Eurasian
Kyiv-born former US soldier, Trump whistleblower, elected to US Congress
Eugene Vindman, a retired U.S. soldier who gained prominence for his role as a whistleblower against then-President Donald Trump along with his twin brother Alexander, won the election to the House of Representatives in Virginia, the Associated Press reported on Nov. 6.
Russia summons Moldova's ambassador over 'hostile' attitude to Russian election observers
The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that prior to the first round of voting and the constitutional referendum on European Union accession, the Moldovan authorities "unreasonably" denied accreditation to five international observers from Russia.
Ukrainian soldiers react to Trump's victory: 'This could be a disaster,' others say Biden was 'impotent'
Donald Trump claimed victory in the U.S. presidential elections on Nov. 6, bringing additional uncertainty for many Ukrainian soldiers who already struggle to see the future of the war. Though doubt looms over Trump's moves in the coming months, his warm relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his
President Sandu's opponent concedes, days after losing Moldovan presidential election
"This is not a final defeat, it is only a lost battle," pro-Russian political newcomer Alexandr Stoianoglo said three days after the vote.
(Updated: )
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