12 minutes agoWashington Post shows reasons for tensions in the Western Balkans
Periskopi(9 years ago)
(9 years ago)On April 27th, masked nationalists stormed the Macedonian Parliament, wounding also Social Democratic Party leader Zoran Zaev. But this was not an isolated incident in the Western Balkans, according to what Washington Post” writes. Over 25 years after the fall of communism, Western Balkan countries have become half democracy, while [...]
On April 27th, masked nationalists stormed the Macedonian Parliament, wounding also Social Democratic Party leader Zoran Zaev. But this was not an isolated incident in the Western Balkans, according to what Washington Post” writes.
Over 25 years after the fall of communism, Western Balkan countries have become half a democracy, while the region is plagued by ethnic, religious and nationalist tensions.
The journalist of prestigious American media, Ingrid Bego, lists the main reasons it says, explain political crises in these countries. The lack of a healthy political rivalry in many of these countries is the first cause according to the journalist.
According to her, this has led to one-party regimes and customer policies. What seems to be a great commitment to the EU has resulted more as a superficial commitment, not being translated into decisive actions to improve rule of law and empower institutions.
Russia's intervention in the Slavic majority countries over the past few years is according to “Washigton Post” the second contributor to tensions in the region. The media cites the plot of a Russian nationalist group for the murder of former Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic.
While this year, Russia accused Albania, NATO and the EU were trying to establish a pro-Albanian government in Macedonia, at a time that itself supported nationalist leaders of the Balkans.
Russia's major investments and the spread of conspiracy theories against the EU make the region a battlefield for political influence from the East. “Could the EU be able to negotiate democracy in the region?”, is the question the journalist raises.
According to her, most of the region, including Albania, is not marking much progress towards membership, and if the bloc will require radical and significant changes in exchange for membership, Moscow could lobby against Europe's expansionist agenda by offering an alternative vision.
Meanwhile, if the EU is to accelerate talks, it could lead to short-term stability in the region, but undermine democratic reforms, spreading anti-responsive feelings The EU.
