Central Europe / News
Orban's government opts not to commemorate 20th membership of EU accession
Hungary has slid to second poorest member state under Hungarian strongman's corrupt rule.
Slovak parliament moves closer to approving foreign agent bill aimed at NGOs
NGOs which receive more than €5,000 from outside of Slovakia will be labelled “organisations with foreign support”.
Lithuanian leaders back sending 29,000 military-age men back to Ukraine
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte believe that Lithuania should help Ukraine get back its military-age men living abroad.
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Czech police point to Russia's GRU as investigation into ammunition explosion is shelved
Czech interior minister says that Russia is “transgressing valid international agreements” after it refused to cooperate with Czech authorities on the case.
Poland’s Tusk orders thorough probe into Orlen’s $370mn botched oil deal
Orlen's PiS-appointed CEO reportedly disregarded warnings from the company's security team about head of Swiss subsidiary's alleged Hezbollah links.
France's EDF seen as favourite as Czech nuclear tender enters next stage
It is already clear that the estimated price of CZK160bn (€6.4bn), which the Czech government calculated in 2020, will be exceeded.
Poland facing arbitration over Warburg Pincus' complaint about rules limiting pharmacies
Polish legislation limits pharmacy ownership to pharmacists only, restricts opening of new pharmacies near existing ones, and sets a cap where one owner can only have four pharmacies nationwide.
Orban uses CPAC to bolster role in growing 'anti-globalist' coalition
Orban is admired by representatives of the Trumpist US right-wing for his tough immigration policies and advocacy for families and Christian conservatism.
Poland signs $1.6bn deal with South Korea for Chunmoo rocket artillery systems and missiles
A significant portion of Poland's new military acquisitions has come from South Korea, including light combat aircraft, tanks and self-propelled howitzers.
Hungary’s OTP makes reported record bid for EU bank
Hungarian lender says target is in an EU country in which OTP did not have a presence, triggering speculation.
Czech tycoon Kretinsky enters steel business with 20% stake in Thyssenkrupp
EP is in talks to acquire a further 30% of the steel business in a pursuit of forming a 50:50 joint venture.
Orban: Hungary is island in the European progressive liberal ocean
“We must drain the swamp in Brussels in June and in Washington in November,” Hungarian premier says.
Poland in two minds over Ukraine’s efforts to bring conscription-age men home
Poland is ready to help Ukraine bring conscription-age men home after Kyiv stepped up its mobilisation effort, a top government official said this week. But hundreds of thousands of people leaving Poland could be a huge problem for the economy.
Slovakia’s cabinet approves legislation to restructure public broadcaster
New bill will allow government to change leadership of public broadcaster, while 'ethical council' will oversee content.
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More than €15bn of Chinese investments underway in Hungary, says foreign minister
Hungary has become the primary European destination of Chinese corporate investments, with a string of investments targeting the battery industry.
Hungarian rate-setters slow pace of rate cuts to 50bp at April meeting
The Monetary Council of the National Bank (MNB) reduced the base rate by 50bp to 7.75% in line with projections, slowing down the pace of monetary easing from 75bp in the previous meeting.
Czech prosecutors indict former president's top aide for embezzlement
Vratislav Mynar was at the centre of many of the scandals surrounding Milos Zeman's two terms as president.
President Duda says Poland 'ready' to host nuclear weapons
Government queries president's comments, while Moscow attacks them as "provocative".
Poland's first nuclear plant may carry €35bn price tag
Construction is expected to start in 2026, but the head of nuclear power SPV Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe (PEJ) warns the costs will be high.
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Premier Energy announces €125mn IPO in Bucharest to boost renewables portfolio
Bucharest Stock Exchange becomes increasingly attractive for investors after last year's Hidroelectrica IPO.