Central Europe / News
Mass protests continue in Hungary against Orban government
At least 100,000 join rally against curbs on press freedom and attacks on civil society, but keynote speakers blame opposition parties for failing to unite ahead of election that delivered another resounding Fidesz victory.
Is Armenia facing a colour revolution? Popular protests on the rise in Emerging Europe
Whether or not the detention of opposition leader Nikol Pashinian proves enough to lop the head off the Armenian demonstrations, analysts will note yet another example of how ready people are across Emerging Europe to take to the streets.
Embattled Soros foundation to exit politically hostile Hungary
Open Society Foundations will move its East European headquarters to Berlin, after billionaire philanthropist George Soros was stigmatised by Viktor Orban's right-wing government and accused of various plots to undermine Hungary.
CEE Equity Partners announces closing of second fund after $800mn pours in
Second China-CEE Investment Cooperation fund expected to grow to $1bn later this year after first closing on $800mn, and will expand investment focus to encompass healthcare, tourism, education and agriculture.
Cash-rich Penta to expand leading Czech pharma chain Dr.Max to China
Penta looks to long-term success in the world's second largest pharma market after making a record €245mn consolidated net profit in 2017.
Advent in direct talks to buy Sanofi's generics arm Zentiva
Private equity investor Advent International aims to turn Prague-based Zentiva into an independent European leader in generic drugs.
Czech media oligarchs add radio stations to their media empire
Czech Media Investment group, controlled by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, will pay €73mn for Lagardere group radio stations operating in Czechia, Poland, Slovakia and Romania.
Visegrad car associations ask EU to decrease emission limits
Automakers argue strict limitation of emissions levels could cause a significant drop in production of cars in the V4 where the economies of Czechia and Slovakia in particular depend heavily on the car industry.
Huge crowds gather in Budapest to protest against Orban's new government
100,000 Hungarians protested against what organisers said was an unfair election system that gave Prime Minister Viktor Orban a landslide victory at the polls after a “hate campaign” against immigrants.
Avast to enter London bourse in bid to raise up to $1bn
Czech-based antivirus software company plans second attempt at IPO after pulling planned Nasdaq listing in 2012, but analysts warn over Brexit uncertainty.
Leaked document shows EU’s initially hardline approach to Gazprom
European Commission had planned to adopt a tough stance on Gazprom's allegedly “abusive practices” in selling gas to CEE, but current approach could let Russian energy major off the hook without serious consequences.
Hungarian media diversity to narrow further with closure of opposition newspaper
Conservative political daily Magyar Nemzet to shut down as its owner Lajos Simicska - a former ally turned opponent of PM Viktor Orban - says he is no longer willing to finance his media empire after Fidesz's landslide general election victory.
Czech president advises Babis to negotiate with neo-fascists
Caretaker PM Andrej Babis' options are limited after the collapse of coalition talks with the Social Democrats, but a proposed deal with the neo-fascist SPD and the Communists could trigger a split within the populist Ano party.
RBI offloads Polish business to BNP Paribas
The deal will bulk up BNP Paribas’ local business to the sixth largest on the competitive Polish market, while for RBI it is a long-awaited exit from a difficult market.
Hungarian stocks, forint gain after Fidesz election victory
Markets welcome continuation of the status quo in Hungary, shrugging off criticisms of election conditions and potential for PM Viktor Orban to spark more conflict with the EU.
Hungary's ruling party retains supermajority after sweeping election victory
Viktor Orban's latest landslide is expected lead to further conflicts with the EU which may damage Hungary economically.
Prospect of a new Czech government recedes as Ano-CSSD talks collapse
Early elections are again an option after the fraud investigation into caretaker PM Andrej Babis proved the sticking point for the Social Democrats.
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New owner of GE's EMEA lighting business aims to turn Tungsram into a global brand
Former GE Hungary head Jorg Bauer wants to transform one of Hungary’s oldest companies into a global business with $1bn revenues.
Markets favour slim victory for Hungary's ruling Fidesz party
In recent years Hungary's economy has been growing strongly, yet the government has focused on immigration as its top campaign theme.
Anger in Moscow and Prague Castle as Czech minister extradites hacker suspect to US
Kremlin-friendly President Zeman fought hard to send Yevgeny Nikulin to Russia but those pushing the pro-Western orientation of Czechia appear to have won out in the case.