Protests over early parole to murder-convicted Australian and controversies over the upcoming election of the new Prosecutor General

October 18, 2019 lossi36

The last few months in Bulgaria were hot and stormy, just like the county’s political scene. Although the National Assembly had a long vacation, Bulgarians were not given a break from scandals and bad news. – The arrest of a … Continue reading Protests over early parole to murder-convicted Australian and controversies over the upcoming election of the new Prosecutor General

Eastern Europe, News, Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap, and Kharkiv’s First Pride March

October 16, 2019 lossi36

– On 1 September, Ukraine’s Ivan Bohun Kyiv Military Lyceum marked its first day of studies, welcoming female cadets for the first time since it was founded. The school now accepts girls from the age of 13 to pursue military education … Continue reading Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap, and Kharkiv’s First Pride March

Caucasus, News, Uncategorized

Minority language rights in peril, and PACE visits Chechnya

October 9, 2019October 16, 2019 lossi36

– The self-immolation of the Udmurt-language professor Albert Razin on September 10th shocked those concerned with the development of the indigenous languages of the Russian Federation. His suicide was carried out in protest against the neglect of Russia’s minority languages. In … Continue reading Minority language rights in peril, and PACE visits Chechnya

Caucasus, News

New PM sworn in and a month of commemorations

October 4, 2019 lossi36

Autumn in Georgia has kicked off with a good deal of political turmoil, reaching a brief peak of civic response on September 20th, just three months after the summer protests. Dissatisfaction with the political and socio-economic situation has reached a … Continue reading New PM sworn in and a month of commemorations

News, Poland

Polish academia against climate change, and the ECJ returns a verdict

July 9, 2019 lossi36

– On June 5th, a district court in Warsaw launched anti-censorship proceedings against Facebook. The case was issued by Maciej Świrski, chairman of the Polish League Against Defamation (altenratively also called the Good Name Redoubt – Polish Anti-Defamation League), a right-wing, … Continue reading Polish academia against climate change, and the ECJ returns a verdict

News, Russia

Golunov arrested and freed, and Russia rejoins PACE

July 8, 2019July 7, 2019 lossi36

– On the 6th of June, reporter Ivan Golunov was searched on the streets of Moscow by police, who allegedly then found on his person several bags of white powder (said to be mephedrone) and arrested Golunov for intent to supply. … Continue reading Golunov arrested and freed, and Russia rejoins PACE

Caucasus, Society

“I will never forgive this government for the lost eyes and savagery that we saw on June 20th” – a photo essay from the ongoing protests in Tbilisi

June 28, 2019September 3, 2019 lossi36

“What is it all for?” the old lady grabs my hand and squeezes it desperately, waiting for some wise answer. “Why?” she repeats, emphasizing her question with a gesture towards a square full of people gathering for the second day … Continue reading “I will never forgive this government for the lost eyes and savagery that we saw on June 20th” – a photo essay from the ongoing protests in Tbilisi

Central Europe, Society

Saving the forgotten homes of the borderland

June 24, 2019 lossi36

This article is the fifth in a series of articles written by the graduates of 2018’s Solidarity Academy and re-published in collaboration with Lossi 36. Solidarity Academy is an international project aimed at inspiring and supporting the development of the young intellectuals … Continue reading Saving the forgotten homes of the borderland

Balkans, News

EU Parliament election confirms balance of power and vice president of ruling party resigns

June 23, 2019June 23, 2019 lossi36

– The results of the European Parliament (EP) elections on May 26th in Bulgaria reconfirmed the balance of power in the National Assembly. The ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria won the elections with about 31% of the votes … Continue reading EU Parliament election confirms balance of power and vice president of ruling party resigns

Balkans, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Politics

The EU Election Outcome: the Rise of Eastern-style Christian Democracy

June 19, 2019June 22, 2019 lossi36

The European election results seem messy. A colourful mosaic, with no clear pattern at first sight. But in all the disarray, Europe’s narrow Christian-democratic victory shows an outline, an ideological curtain dividing the continent into two halves. Why did Christianity-inspired … Continue reading The EU Election Outcome: the Rise of Eastern-style Christian Democracy