Café Europe

2015

Fixing Thessaloniki

Yannis Boutaris and his quest for an open city The archbishop declared publicly that Yannis Boutaris “would never be mayor.” But the crisis of 2008 helped to propel Boutaris, a reformer who promised liberation from a conservative status quo, to a slender victory. By Gerald Knaus
Boutaris.
Yannis Boutaris. Photo: PreTV.

Fixing Thessaloniki

Yannis Boutaris and his quest for an open city The archbishop declared publicly that Yannis Boutaris “would never be mayor.” But the crisis of 2008 helped to propel Boutaris, a reformer who promised liberation from a conservative status quo, to a slender victory. By Gerald Knaus

2014

Transition and happiness

A Bulgarian paradox? The story of Bulgaria’s failed transition is not convincing. So is the image of Bulgarians as passive pessimists. In recent years, dissatisfaction with the present has turned into a motor for change. By Kristof Bender and Gerald Knaus
Playing to a new tune? Musicians in Sofia’s “Gradska gradina” park. Photo: ESI/Kristof Bender

Transition and happiness

A Bulgarian paradox? The story of Bulgaria’s failed transition is not convincing. So is the image of Bulgarians as passive pessimists. In recent years, dissatisfaction with the present has turned into a motor for change. By Kristof Bender and Gerald Knaus

Of patriarchs and rebels

Two young women challenge taboos in Kosovo Jeta Xharra and Besa Luci returned to Kosovo to change journalism. Jeta runs a hard-hitting political talk show, Besa edits a taboo-breaking magazine. What have they achieved in a place where power is largely male and conservative? By Besa Shahini
Photo of Jeta Xharra
Jeta Xharra Photo: BIRN

Of patriarchs and rebels

Two young women challenge taboos in Kosovo Jeta Xharra and Besa Luci returned to Kosovo to change journalism. Jeta runs a hard-hitting political talk show, Besa edits a taboo-breaking magazine. What have they achieved in a place where power is largely male and conservative? By Besa Shahini

Timisoara 2.0

A story of industrial transformation Timisoara was one of Romania’s early economic boom towns. Then the 2008 crisis hit. Multinationals laid off staff. The construction sector collapsed. But Timisoara bounced back quickly, undergoing a promising transformation. By Kristof Bender
Unirii square, Timisoara. Photo: PreTV

Timisoara 2.0

A story of industrial transformation Timisoara was one of Romania’s early economic boom towns. Then the 2008 crisis hit. Multinationals laid off staff. The construction sector collapsed. But Timisoara bounced back quickly, undergoing a promising transformation. By Kristof Bender

2013

Ending the age of heroes

Ivo Sanader and the battle for a European Croatia Ivo Sanader took over the party of war-time president Franjo Tudjman. As prime minister he led Croatia into NATO and to the threshold of EU accession. On 20 November 2012 he was sentenced to ten years behind bars by a court in Zagreb. By Kristof Bender
Photo of Ivo Sanader.
Ivo Sanader. Photo: Geyrhalter Film

Ending the age of heroes

Ivo Sanader and the battle for a European Croatia Ivo Sanader took over the party of war-time president Franjo Tudjman. As prime minister he led Croatia into NATO and to the threshold of EU accession. On 20 November 2012 he was sentenced to ten years behind bars by a court in Zagreb. By Kristof Bender

2012

The EU as a chance for Croatia’s Serbs

Milorad Pupovac and political change 20 years ago, most Serbs considered Milorad Pupovac a traitor. Most Croats saw him as a public enemy. Today, Pupovac is Croatia’s most popular Serb politician and has earned the respect of many Croats. By Kristof Bender and Snjezana Vukic
Photo of Milorad Pupovac
Milorad Pupovac. Photo: Dalibor Zoric/flickr

The EU as a chance for Croatia’s Serbs

Milorad Pupovac and political change 20 years ago, most Serbs considered Milorad Pupovac a traitor. Most Croats saw him as a public enemy. Today, Pupovac is Croatia’s most popular Serb politician and has earned the respect of many Croats. By Kristof Bender and Snjezana Vukic

Before Tudjman, after Tudjman

Ivica Racan and Croatia’ first steps towards the EU In May 1990 Ivica Racan, then leader of the League of Communists of Croatia, ceded power following the first multiparty elections in Croatia since World War II. It seemed he was headed for the dustbin of history. Not so. By Gerald Knaus and Snjezana Vukic

Before Tudjman, after Tudjman

Ivica Racan and Croatia’ first steps towards the EU In May 1990 Ivica Racan, then leader of the League of Communists of Croatia, ceded power following the first multiparty elections in Croatia since World War II. It seemed he was headed for the dustbin of history. Not so. By Gerald Knaus and Snjezana Vukic

From renegade to president

Stipe Mesic and Croatia after Tudjman “The Hague [Tribunal] helped the whole region,” says Stipe Mesic, a former communist subsequently put in prison by the communist party; a founding member of the HDZ who then became its most pugnacious critic. By Kristof Bender and Snjezana Vukic
Photo of Stipe Mesic.
Stipe Mesic. Photo: flickr/PanARMENIAN/Vahan Stepanyan

From renegade to president

Stipe Mesic and Croatia after Tudjman “The Hague [Tribunal] helped the whole region,” says Stipe Mesic, a former communist subsequently put in prison by the communist party; a founding member of the HDZ who then became its most pugnacious critic. By Kristof Bender and Snjezana Vukic

Building a working consensus

Vesna Pusic and Croatia on the way to the EU “I was absolutely adamant that people who were dumber than me and crooks, unlike me, were not going to decide on my country and my life,” says Vesna Pusic about her step into politics in the mid-1990s. Now she is foreign minister. By Kristof Bender
Photo of Vesna Pusic
Vesna Pusic All photos: courtesy of Vesna Pusic

Building a working consensus

Vesna Pusic and Croatia on the way to the EU “I was absolutely adamant that people who were dumber than me and crooks, unlike me, were not going to decide on my country and my life,” says Vesna Pusic about her step into politics in the mid-1990s. Now she is foreign minister. By Kristof Bender

2010

A unifying goal for Bosnia

Adnan Terzic and his European vision “I was trying to find a goal that no nation in Bosnia would have a problem with,” says Adnan Terzic about his early push for European integration when he was prime minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina. By Alexandra Stiglmayer
Adnan Terzic
Adnan Terzic. Photo: Cazin.net

A unifying goal for Bosnia

Adnan Terzic and his European vision “I was trying to find a goal that no nation in Bosnia would have a problem with,” says Adnan Terzic about his early push for European integration when he was prime minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina. By Alexandra Stiglmayer

Small Montenegro’s big project

Gordana Djurovic and the EU questionnaire As minister for European integration, Gordana Djurovic helped formulate Montenegro’s image as a small country at peace with its neighbours and committed to reform. By Kristof Bender
Gordana Djurovic
Gordana Djurovic. Photo: Belgrade Security Forum

Small Montenegro’s big project

Gordana Djurovic and the EU questionnaire As minister for European integration, Gordana Djurovic helped formulate Montenegro’s image as a small country at peace with its neighbours and committed to reform. By Kristof Bender

The EU as a cohesive glue

Radmila Sekerinska and Macedonia’s membership application During Radmila Sekerinska’s tenure as deputy prime minister Macedonia transitioned from a country on the brink of civil war to an official candidate for EU membership. By Kristof Bender
Radmila Sekerinska
Radmila Sekerinska. Photo: pre tv

The EU as a cohesive glue

Radmila Sekerinska and Macedonia’s membership application During Radmila Sekerinska’s tenure as deputy prime minister Macedonia transitioned from a country on the brink of civil war to an official candidate for EU membership. By Kristof Bender

Reviving multi-cultural values

Borjan Jovanovski’s “open window towards Europe” “Tolerance is the fundamental pillar, if you want to make Macedonia a part of Europe,” says Borjan Jovanovski, a Macedonian journalist who has dedicated much of his career to explaining the EU to the Macedonian public. By Kristof Bender
Photo of Borjan Jovanovski
Borjan Jovanovski presenting “Eurozoom”. Photo: Eurozoom

Reviving multi-cultural values

Borjan Jovanovski’s “open window towards Europe” “Tolerance is the fundamental pillar, if you want to make Macedonia a part of Europe,” says Borjan Jovanovski, a Macedonian journalist who has dedicated much of his career to explaining the EU to the Macedonian public. By Kristof Bender

The EU as an anchor for peace

Osman Topcagic and Bosnia’s early EU aspirations At the beginning of the war Osman Topcagic lost his sister and two cousins. He went cold and hungry for days. It was the war, says Topcagic, which turned him into a dedicated promoter of Bosnia’s membership of the European Union.  By Alexandra Stiglmayer
Osman Topcagic
Osman Topcagic. Photo: pre tv

The EU as an anchor for peace

Osman Topcagic and Bosnia’s early EU aspirations At the beginning of the war Osman Topcagic lost his sister and two cousins. He went cold and hungry for days. It was the war, says Topcagic, which turned him into a dedicated promoter of Bosnia’s membership of the European Union.  By Alexandra Stiglmayer

Negotiations as a schedule for reforms

Silvana Lyubenova and the free movement of goods When Silvana Lyubenova joined  the Ministry of Industry in 1992, it was the only part of Bulgaria’s administration to have a unit for European integration. It was the pioneer in a transformation that affected the whole country.  By Kristof Bender
Photo of Silvana Lyubenova
Silvana Lyubenova Photo: Courtesy of Silvana Lyubenova

Negotiations as a schedule for reforms

Silvana Lyubenova and the free movement of goods When Silvana Lyubenova joined  the Ministry of Industry in 1992, it was the only part of Bulgaria’s administration to have a unit for European integration. It was the pioneer in a transformation that affected the whole country.  By Kristof Bender

Finishing the Romanian revolution

Alina Mungiu-Pippidi and the fight against corruption “If there had been no offer for Romania to join the EU, we would look like another Belarus now,” says Alina Mungiu Pippidi, founder and president of Romania’s largest think tank, about her country’s path to become a genuine democracy. By Besa Shahini
Photo of Alina Mungiu-Pippidi
Alina Mungiu Pippidi Photo: Courtesy of Alina Mungiu-Pippidi

Finishing the Romanian revolution

Alina Mungiu-Pippidi and the fight against corruption “If there had been no offer for Romania to join the EU, we would look like another Belarus now,” says Alina Mungiu Pippidi, founder and president of Romania’s largest think tank, about her country’s path to become a genuine democracy. By Besa Shahini

Marathon man

Mikulas Dzurinda and Slovakia’s race to catch up Of the new EU member state leaders in Dublin on 1 May 2004, only one could claim to have overseen his country’s accession process from start to finish - Mikulas Dzurinda, prime minister of Slovakia. By Kristof Bender and Milan Nic
Photo of Mikulas Dzurinda running
Mikulas Dzurinda running the Kosice marathon in 2009. Photo: Marathon-Photos.com

Marathon man

Mikulas Dzurinda and Slovakia’s race to catch up Of the new EU member state leaders in Dublin on 1 May 2004, only one could claim to have overseen his country’s accession process from start to finish - Mikulas Dzurinda, prime minister of Slovakia. By Kristof Bender and Milan Nic

2009

The EU acquis in practice

Simon Humar and environmental protection “In 1995 we had about 15 pieces of legislation and you could list them on one piece of paper. Now the list covers 15 pages,” says Simon Humar, an environmental inspector in Slovenia. By Nicholas Wood
Simon Humar
Simon Humar. Photo: Miro Majcen/ESI

The EU acquis in practice

Simon Humar and environmental protection “In 1995 we had about 15 pieces of legislation and you could list them on one piece of paper. Now the list covers 15 pages,” says Simon Humar, an environmental inspector in Slovenia. By Nicholas Wood

Slovakia’s crucial moment

Martin Simecka and his view of 1998 “For Slovakia the biggest historical event is not 1989 but 1998,” says Martin M. Simecka, a writer, journalist, and former editor in chief of the leading Slovak daily SME. By Kristof Bender and Milan Nic
Martin M. Simecka Photo: Courtesy of M. Simecka

Slovakia’s crucial moment

Martin Simecka and his view of 1998 “For Slovakia the biggest historical event is not 1989 but 1998,” says Martin M. Simecka, a writer, journalist, and former editor in chief of the leading Slovak daily SME. By Kristof Bender and Milan Nic

Breaching Bulgaria’s Schengen Wall

Nadezhda Mihaylova and visa-free travel Nadezhda Mihaylova was Bulgarian foreign minister in Ivan Kostov’s reform government from 1997-2001. “When I visited Brussels for the first time it was like the first day in school, when you go and nobody knows you.” By Kristof Bender
Nadezhda Mihaylova
Nadezhda Mihaylova. Photo: NATO

Breaching Bulgaria’s Schengen Wall

Nadezhda Mihaylova and visa-free travel Nadezhda Mihaylova was Bulgarian foreign minister in Ivan Kostov’s reform government from 1997-2001. “When I visited Brussels for the first time it was like the first day in school, when you go and nobody knows you.” By Kristof Bender
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