Did Moldova just give EU enlargement a lifeline? Follow us for more election insights all week. #MoldovaElections #AlegeriMoldova #MoldovanElections #Moldova2025 #VoteMoldova #Moldova

🗳️ #Moldova parliamentary election this weekend is a barometer of regional #democracy. Its outcome could reshape #EUenlargement, Europe’s security, and the balance of power with #Russia. Read the latest commentary: tinyurl.com/y8atxsuf #MoldovaElections #AlegeriMoldova

🇲🇩 #Moldova votes this weekend. What we’re watching for: How Moldovans weigh EU aspirations against domestic dissatisfaction.👇 #MoldovaElections #AlegeriMoldova #MoldovanElections #Moldova2025 #VoteMoldova

On #InternationalDayofDemocracy, the question isn’t WHERE #democracy is under pressure (think #Ukraine, #Georgia, #Serbia)... but HOW these countries can re-engage with democratic paths forward. 💬 What gives you confidence that democracy can adapt + survive in tough times?

🇺🇦 Fieldwork under air raid alerts in Kyiv. RE-ENGAGE surveys and interviews took place not only in classrooms but in shelters. “To keep studying and working feels like a small gesture of defiance and resistance.” — Sophie Gueudet, RE-ENGAGE researcher

In the heart of Europe’s security crisis, our researchers are completing the final leg of six-country fieldwork in Kyiv. As war reshapes democracy and security, hearing how people view trust, the EU, and external powers has never been more urgent: tinyurl.com/bdhsstp3

♟️ Black knights are tilting the political playing field, but the EU can still make the right moves. Our researchers previewed their early findings on black knight actors and what they mean for the EU at the EISA Conference in Bologna, with full papers and fresh data to be published this fall.

RE-ENGAGE studies how to counter negative external influences and strengthen EU resilience against hybrid threats in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Our sister project’s new database adds fresh insights on regional power dynamics. 👇 Check out more below:

In #Sarajevo, citizens are speaking up about the EU’s role in shaping their democracy. As part of the #REENGAGE project, we’ve been listening closely to what people have to say. 🗣️

Want to stay up to date with our latest insights and find out what’s next for RE-ENGAGE? Sign up for our newsletter here to get the latest insights delivered to your inbox! re-engaging.eu

The influence of external actors presents a challenge to the EU’s enlargement strategy in both the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood. 🔍Read Asya Metodieva’s paper on the EU’s perception of these competing external actors here: re-engaging.eu/the-eus-perc...

Georgia stands at a crossroads. As democratic institutions falter and authoritarianism looms, Europe's response could determine the nation's future. @teftak.bsky.social s latest commentary urges a united European front. @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social

The RE-ENGAGE project conducts fieldwork in six case countries in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood to deepen the understanding of how these countries perceive and respond to hybrid threats, such as disinformation @nupinytt.bsky.social Read more here: re-engaging.eu/news/mapping...

Recent legislative proposals in Georgia seek to expand government control over media content, further undermining a democracy already under severe threat. Maia Machavariani from EECMD argues sanctions are an effective tool to pressure the de facto Georgian government.

What are the main challenges the EU faces from Russia and China in the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood? In her paper, Asya Metodieva explores how the EU perceives and responds to these external actors @iirprague.bsky.social Read more here: re-engaging.eu/the-eus-perc...

EU enlargement isn't just policy—it's security. Integrating candidate countries like Ukraine and Moldova is vital to bolster Europe's resilience against external threats, writes @engjellushem.bsky.social @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social

Georgia's democracy is under severe threat, with shrinking civic space and escalating attacks on civil society and activists. Recent legislative proposals seek to expand government control over media content, further undermining press freedom and democratic accountability - Maia Machavariani, EECMD

Being an activist in Georgia today is increasingly dangerous—especially for women. These two courageous activists stepped in front of the camera to share their experiences and concerns. They highlight the troubling absence of genuine political opposition in Georgia.

Last week, the RE-ENGAGE team met in Tbilisi to train a group of students who are now conducting fieldwork in Georgia. With surveys and interactive mapping exercises they're engaging with local citizens to capture their views on trust, values, and alliance preferences: re-engaging.eu/news/mapping...

Since October 2024, daily protests in Tbilisi have been driven by electoral fraud allegations, a Russian-style "foreign agents" law, and a disputed presidential election. The government's crackdown, including surveillance and arrests, signals clear democratic backsliding

Recent mass demonstrations in Serbia highlight deep frustrations over government corruption and reflect a divided society: younger people demand change while others remain sceptical. Serbia's relationship with the EU is further complicated by historical ties and ongoing corruption challenges.

While places like Tbilisi are leading the protests in Georgia, the government still has a strong grip on media and resources, especially in rural areas. Did you miss our webinar on grassroots movements in Georgia and Serbia? Check out the recording here: youtu.be/vYHkJFC4E-A?...

The EU should focus on empowering civil society, media, and independent institutions in Georgia and Serbia, as their ties to Russia and China weaken EU leverage. Missed our webinar? Watch the recording here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYHkJFC4E-A

A tragic accident in Novi Sad, driven by corruption, sparked mass student protests in Serbia. What makes this movement unique in Serbia's history? Read more here: re-engaging.eu/news/how-ser... 🖥️ Don't miss our upcoming webinar on the topic - join us on 12 March: re-engaging.eu/eventlalal/w...

How do civil society actors push back against democratic backsliding? What transnational strategies are emerging? Join us for a deep dive into civic mobilisation in Serbia & Georgia! 🗓 12 March, 14-16 CET🔗 Register: re-engaging.eu/eventlalal/w...

How do external actors shape democracy and EU aspirations in the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood? We’ll explore these topics in our next newsletter. Sign up here to get the latest insights delivered to your inbox! re-engaging.eu

Since the Georgian Dream party suspended EU accession talks, Georgia’s population has made its feelings known. Now the EU should show solidarity by helping secure the country’s democratic future, write Constance Victor and Lion Ax. @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social

How do hybrid regimes manipulate democracy in Europe’s east? 🔍New RE-ENGAGE analysis examines how autocratic leaders use elections as façades, exploiting corruption, disinformation, and Russian influence to stay in power: re-engaging.eu/doors-unlock... @zaz.bsky.social

The EU’s neighbourhood is shifting with Russia, China, and Turkey expanding their influence. How does Brussels respond? In our paper: 🔹 Russia’s security grip 🔹 China’s economic push 🔹 Turkey’s cultural outreach 🔹 The EU’s struggle to keep up re-engaging.eu/the-eus-perc... @iirprague.bsky.social

Fieldwork is a key component of RE-ENGAGE, and it will take place in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. It has already begun in some countries, and this spring will be a busy period for our research.

📆 Remember to register for our upcoming webinar on Jan 29, at 9.30 CET! Our experts @jkobzova.bsky.social @kadriliik.bsky.social Leo Litra & @dumoulinme.bsky.social will talk about what the Europeans can do to help advance a better deal for #Ukraine ⬇️ https://buff.ly/40xVZqX

How should the EU engage with the Western Balkans in an era of uncertainty? Our new paper explores the challenges and opportunities of external engagement in the Western Balkans amidst growing geopolitical tensions: re-engaging.eu/external-eng...

Can the EU counter Russia’s disruption and China’s dependencies in the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood? Our new paper dives into how the EU perceives external actors, whose strategies threaten EU enlargement and regional stability: re-engaging.eu/the-eus-perc... @iirprague.bsky.social

By withholding energy, Russia pressures Moldova’s pro-EU government ahead of elections. Rising tariffs, inflation, and disinformation campaigns add to the strain. What can the EU do? @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social Read Andrew Wilson's policy alert: buff.ly/3PoiNEq

The appointment of ex-footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili as Georgia's president, via a parliament tainted by alleged October 2024 electoral fraud, highlights the country’s deepening democratic crisis: re-engaging.eu/news/ex-foot...

If the EU does not act more decisively on Georgia now, it will lose any credibility in its neighbourhood, writes a group of European foreign policy experts: www.euractiv.com/section/glob..., @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social @nathalietocci.bsky.social @kristiraik.bsky.social

With Salome Zourabichvili set to be replaced in Saturday’s presidential elections, Georgian Dream will tighten its grip on power, leaving protestors with no institutional support, writes Andrew Wilson. @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/time...

Albania is a strong EU candidate, with 77% public support for EU accession—well above the Western Balkans average of 54%. With sustained political will, Albania could become a success story in the EU's latest enlargement wave: ecfr.eu/article/ridi... @teftak.bsky.social

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RE-ENGAGE maps how actors like the US, Russia, China, and Turkey influence Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, offering strategic scenarios to help policymakers tackle emerging challenges. Explore our three-step foresight methodology: re-engaging.eu/foresight-in... @horalistani.bsky.social

Barely a month after Georgian Dream declared victory in a contested and undemocratic election, Georgia’s European future hangs by a thread. The EU must act decisively to prevent its slide towards Moscow, writes @TeftaK. @ECFRWiderEurope buff.ly/3D1bZcH

Only solid and credible security guarantees can ensure that Russia doesn’t start a new war a few years from now and incentivise Ukrainians to stay and rebuild their country, write Marie Dumoulin and Camille Grand. ecfr.eu/article/ukra...

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has heightened the urgency of EU enlargement, demanding a balance between swift action and fostering democracies in the Western Balkans and eastern neighbourhood. Past efforts offer key lessons for the road ahead: re-engaging.eu/the-interest...

What do we know about the EU’s competitors in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe? 🔍 These regions are key battlegrounds for influence, democracy, and stability. Explore our latest research to uncover the dynamics at play: re-engaging.eu/external-act... @horalistani.bsky.social

🎯 by @gresselgustav.bsky.social for @ecfr.bsky.social : "By wasting three critical years not supporting Ukraine decisively and preparing for a potential Trump return, Europe has sown the seeds of its own Untergang, or downfall." ecfr.eu/article/der-...

RE-ENGAGE is now on Bluesky! We are a Horizon Europe-funded project exploring how the EU can refine its foreign policy toolbox to promote democracy and resilience in its neighbourhood during times of war and geopolitical tensions. Follow us for news, events and publications: re-engaging.eu