Photo source: Council on Foreign Relations By Naveed Qazi | Editor, Globe Upfront After a year of successive interim governments, the Bulgarian parliament finally voted in favour of a regular government in June 2023. This move has the potential to move Bulgaria back towards the European mainstream and bring wider benefits to the region. The two main political actors in the country, the We Continue the Change (PP) party with its coalition partner Democratic Bulgaria (DB) and GERB, have been unable to create governments on their own as each has just over a quarter of the MPs in parliament. Their opposing positions on the reform of the judiciary and the rule of law have prevented them from forming a coalition government. The disarray in parliament had left President Rumen Radev, a former general with a growing appetite for power, in charge of appointing interim governments. But Radev’s negative rhetoric towards political parties and reluctance to hand over the governing mandate made...

Photo source: New York Times By Naveed Qazi | Editor, Globe UpFront P rotests in Montenegro have turned ugly after its citizens took onto the streets in February 2019, triggering yet another unrest in the Balkans. Montenegrins  want  President Milo Đukanović to resign over alleged corruption and abuse of office. Several protestors, not having any affiliation with political parties, marched through the Montenegrin capital of Podgorica, chanting slogans such as ‘Milo Theif’. The protestors are also demanding the resignations of their prime minister, Duško Marković, the Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stanković, and the Montenegrin chief prosecutor for organised crime, Milivoje Katnić. A local journalist and activist told Antonela Rajcevic: “They want to turn this place into the next Monte Carlo. It is great if you are a billionaire or a millionaire, but it is not a good place for the common citizens of Montenegro.” To continue being part...

Photo Source: Al Jazeera Written by Naveed Qazi | Editor, Globe UpFront I n 2019 , three years passed by   since Britain voted to leave the European Union. However, as a pending Brexit looms, amidst parties trying to lock horns, during May 23, 2019, election, and European election, there may be some real consequences which Britain could face.  As of now, the callous and slothful ways of the politicians show a deepening political discord. There is little lucidness regarding when the eventual Brexit would occur. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has agreed to meet the 1922 committee of Tory Members of Parliament once more. It might also propel her to provide final action on Brexit in the coming time. The rules for a new leadership contest, however, within the Conservatives might remain unchanged. Quite recently, in December 2018, several Tory MPs had tried to oust May, but they cannot challenge her for a year, at least. However, all these clauses can change, in the prospec...