Central Europe / Features
AI and cybersecurity to drive CEE tech sector
PwC and CEE Digital Coalition believe the Central and Eastern Europe region has the potential to create the EU’s Silicon Valley.
Baltic states aim to go nuclear but have to wait
The three Baltic states – which have had no nuclear reactors since the closure of Lithuania’s Soviet-designed Ignalina plant 15 years ago – are now all looking at small modular reactor technology.
Slovak presidential campaign showed how populists can dominate the narrative to mobilise support
Government candidate Peter Pellegrini used trumped-up messages of fear channelled through social media networks.
Leading emerging markets move rapidly up World Bank’s PPP GDP and FDI confidence rankings
The world’s leading Emerging Markets are moving rapidly up the World Bank’s latest GDP rankings in PPP (purchase power parity) terms as well as the annual foreign direct investment confidence ranking.
Slovenia parts company with CEE with criticism of Israel
Slovenia is one of a handful of European nations pushing for recognition of Palestine.
Favourite Pellegrini battles to overturn Korcok's first round lead in Slovak presidential run-off
Pellegrini’s balancing act appears to be backfiring, putting off moderate voters of his centre-left Hlas party, while failing to convince third placed candidate Harabin's nationalist electorate.
Southeast Europe urgently recruiting from developing Asia ahead of summer season
One of Europe’s poorest regions is tackling labour shortages by importing workers from as far away as Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
INTERVIEW: Nobel Peace Prize nominee Olga Karatch on the squandered chance to change Belarus
After failing to oust Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, Belarus’ exiled opposition politicians are divided and increasingly unwelcome in neighbouring Lithuania.
Slovaks head to the presidential polls amid fears of state capture
Peter Pellegrini is expected to collect votes from nationalist candidates in the run-off in two weeks time, giving him a crucial advantage over Ivan Korcok.
Ukraine becomes world's 4th largest arms importer, European imports soar
European arms imports were up by 94% in 2019-23, as Ukraine's allies send military aid while also arming themselves, says new SIPRI report.
Closing gender gap in workforce could double global growth rate says World Bank
Countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia have a lower gender gap than the global average but only Latvian women have equal legal standing with men.
Liberty Steel's financial crisis is just the latest blow for CEE's steel industry
The woes of Liberty Steel's mills also reflect the struggle of former Communist Central and Eastern Europe’s once mighty steel sector to remain competitive.
World Bank says Emerging Europe needs tougher targets to reach net zero by 2060
New World Bank report charts path to net zero energy in Emerging Europe and Central Asia, but says current ambitions are too modest.
Opponents look to Constitutional Court and Brussels to block Slovakia's criminal justice reform
Some observers believe the EU is not yet really focussed on Slovakia or may try to avoid getting into another battle over the rule of law, which has already blighted its relations with Hungary and Poland.
Children's home crisis threatens very foundation of Orban regime, say analysts
Hungarian strongman accused of "hiding behind the skirts" of his female minions.
Orban set to compromise on EU's Ukraine financing deal
Amid both threats and signs of flexibility from the EU, the Hungarian premier is expected to drop his veto of the €50bn package.
Czech economy struggles to shake off stagflation
Czech inflation – currently the highest in the EU – is likely to remain above the central bank’s target for the whole of this year, limiting the room for rate cuts, says veteran economist Pavel Sobisek.
wiiw projects brighter 2024 for Emerging Europe
Vienna-based think-tank expects growth to get back on track this year, but warns of risks from a Trump victory in the US and escalation of fighting in Ukraine or Gaza.
OUTLOOK 2024 Central Europe
2023 was a good year for centrist parties in elections in Central Europe and the Baltic states, particularly given the dire economic environment and worrying geopolitical picture.
OUTLOOK 2024 Poland
Poland is in for a year even more tumultuous than 2023, as the new government headed by Donald Tusk will attempt a number of ambitious reforms, some of which at least will be torpedoed by President Andrzej Duda.