Aleksandar Vučić offers the opposition an advisory referendum on his presidency

Serbs do not believe that the solution to the political crisis in the country could be an "advisory referendum" on confidence in the president, as requested by the head of state Aleksandar Vučić. If it comes to a referendum, 52% of citizens would not give Vučić a vote of confidence and only 34% would support him, according to a survey by the NGO Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), reported BGNES. Serbian citizens doubt the conditions under which early elections would be held. 61% support the protests following the collapse of the roof of the railway station in Novi Sad, which killed 15 people. 57% believe that Serbia is heading in the wrong direction. One-third of respondents point to corruption as the country's biggest problem. Aleksandar Vučić suggested to the opposition that an advisory referendum be held in the spring to gauge his support among citizens.

Croatian President Zoran Milanović wins the presidential runoff

Incumbent Croatian President Zoran Milanović convincingly won the presidential runoff with 74.68% of the vote, while his opponent Dragan Primorac took 25.32% of the vote, reported HINA news agency. Supported by the largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party, Milanović received 1,122,859 votes. Dragan Primorac, supported by the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), garnered 380,752 votes. Voter turnout was 44.18%, the lowest since Croatia’s separation from former Yugoslavia. Milanović emphasized that he saw his victory as recognition of his past work and a strong message to the government for responsible governance. He stated that he would not exert public pressure on Prime Minister Andrej Plenković but that they would have to "talk".  Plenković commented that Milanović had conducted a "dirty campaign".

Turkiye increases tolls on highways and bridges

New toll rates have been introduced for vehicles passing through highways, tunnels and bridges in Turkiye. According to NTV, the new prices for 2025 will be approximately 42% higher compared to the previous year. A statement from the General Directorate of Highways notes that the increase in toll fees was undertaken due to high inflation, fluctuations in exchange rates, as well as an increase in the cost of maintaining bridges and highways. The Bosphorus bridges, "July 15 Martyrs" and "Fatih Sultan Mehmet", will charge a fee of 47 Turkish Liras each.  For the Osmangazi Bridge the toll is 795 Turkish Liras, while for the Çanakkale bridge over the Dardanelles, the toll is 790 Turkish Liras. A price list of the new tolls is uploaded on the web portal of the General Directorate of Highways. 

The European Union has annulled Turkiye’s ''TurkAegean'' trademark

The European Union has annulled Turkiye’s ''TurkAegean'' trademark following an appeal by Greece. Greece filed a complaint with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). In its decision, EUIPO noted that the protected name includes the widely recognized geographical term "Aegean", which cannot be monopolized as a trademark, especially when linked to specific products or services. Athens welcomed the decision to cancel the registration. Greece’s Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos called it a "remarkable achievement". Turkiye has two months to appeal the decision.

Albania's government grants strategic investor status to a company linked to Donald Trump's son-in-law

Albania’s government has granted strategic investor status to a company linked with Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The company plans to build a luxury resort on an uninhabited Mediterranean island, which was once a military base, reported BTA. The Albanian Strategic Investments Committee, headed by Prime Minister Edi Rama, has accepted a proposal by Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC for a project covering 45 hectares, or 8% of the surface area of Sazan Island. The planned investments amount to EUR 1.4 billion and will create 1,000 jobs. Sazan Island is located between the Strait of Otranto and the entrance to the Bay of Vlorë, forming the border between the Adriatic and Ionian Sea. This small 5-square-kilometer island was one of the most secret military bases of communist Albania and is dotted with over 3,000 bunkers.