Viral vulnerability: How the pandemic is making democracy sick in the Western Balkans
The covid-19 crisis has accentuated Western Balkans countries’ pre-existing vulnerabilities – but has not brought about a new political era in the region
Experts & Staff
Tania Lessenska
ECFR Alumni · Programme Coordinator, Wider Europe programme
Languages
Bulgarian, English, conversational Hebrew
Biography
Tania Lessenska was the programme coordinator for the Wider Europe programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations. She focuses on the Western Balkans and Turkey regions of the programme.
Lessenska holds a BA in Political Sciences in English from the New Bulgarian University. Prior to joining ECFR, Lessenska completed two internships at the ECFR's Sofia office.
11 Dec
Finally, some good news: Albania and North Macedonia on the road to EU membership
It is in the EU’s interest to continuously emphasise its commitment to Albania and North Macedonia – especially given the growing influence of countries such as China, Russia, and Turkey in the Western Balkans
In the media
Governments there have often taken ‘selective and arbitrary approaches to applying restrictions’ and sometimes used ‘these measures to silence their critics and opponents.’
The article refers to the latest policy brief on the covid-19 measures in the Western Balkans