REPCO

An open letter and call for action and solidarity with the Georgian people

Ever since the October 26th 2024 elections and the subsequent announcement by Georgia’s ruling party that the country will no longer seek EU membership until at least 2028, the Georgia society has taken to the streets to protest. The response from the government has been a crackdown and repressive actions against the protesters, whose numbers are growing.

The unrest that erupted in Georgia following the recent parliamentary elections shows no sign of ending. As the Georgian Dream government comes under increasing pressure, the country now stands at a crossroads regarding not only its democracy but also its place in the world.

The European Union’s relations with Albania are often viewed as overwhelmingly positive. This is especially true when compared to the bloc’s rather troubled links with other states in the Western Balkans. Despite this, overlooking the autocratic practices present in Tirana could cause problems in the future.

It is hard to believe the shift in Georgia and Moldova’s prospects for accession. While Chisinau has emerged from a long period of uncertainty to champion the EU cause, Tbilisi is rapidly losing momentum in its negotiations. The reason for this change lies in two clearly contrasting governments.

The stability of Chechnya is often not discussed in relation to the EU. This is despite the fact that any future unrest could have a number of consequences regarding both the security of Russia and the nearby bloc.

Science fiction is a genre that aspires to predict the human future through the lens of expected technological progress. Few realize that it emerged from the tragic experience of Poland-Lithuania’s Jewish community during the dark 20th century.

It has now been over 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While Kyiv’s campaign of defence has resulted in many victories, the current situation on the front line is worrisome. As the country faces the prospect of another winter, its future remains uncertain to say the least.

Interview with Daniel Schulz, a German journalist and author of Wir waren wie Brüder (We Were Like Brothers). Interviewer: Martina Napolitano.

The Velvet Revolution is now celebrating its 35th anniversary. This creative article commemorates the date of December 10, 1989, when the first non-communist government in Czechoslovakia since 1948 took office. It is more important than ever to remember the lessons from this time of national euphoria. This is especially true with regards to the freedoms that peoples both in and outside of Eastern Europe enjoy and often take for granted. The piece is a collage of different memories and hopes of Czech citizens from that time of new liberty--drawn from both interviews and the author's imagination.