Belarus
M&A hits €8.5bn in CEE in Q1, says Mergermarket
Trend towards bigger deals and more fund investment continues, as deal value rises by half to give best Q1 since 2013.
wiiw raises 2021 CEE growth forecast to 3.8%
But pandemic has delayed restart of convergence with Western Europe until 2023.
Belarus to hike central bank rates 75bp to 8.5% from April 21
The National Bank of the Republic of Belarus will hike its key interest rate by 75bp from April 21 to 8.5% to combat rising inflation. In addition, the bank’s overnight lending rate will be increased to 9.5% and the overnight deposit rate to 7.5%.
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Poland deploys troops close to Belarusian border in response to crackdown on Polish minority
Poland is deploying troops to a new camp close to the Belarusian border that will inflame already poor relations as President Alexander Lukashenko cracks down on the Polish minority.
Belarus introduces new restrictions on political parties and media
Belarus has announced new rules on forming political parties after several opposition figures said they planned to set up new parties.
FPRI BMB Ukraine: Minsk peace talks may abandon Minsk
Ukraine has announced that it will not hold further peace talks in Minsk within the framework of the Trilateral Contact Group.
CEE reels as third wave of COVID-19 breaks
A third wave of the coronavirus pandemic is sweeping through Emerging Europe. While Russia is expecting to reach herd immunity in the next two months, most other countries of the region have only just started their mass immunisation programmes.
Belarus confirmed coronavirus cases exceed 320,000
The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has exceeded 320,000 with the country counting as many as 995 more new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, the health ministry reported on March 29.
Belarus’ opposition abandons attempts at dialogue with Lukashenko, Tikhanovskaya branded a terrorist
Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said that the opposition is making no attempt at any dialogue with Belarus' self-appointed President Alexander Lukashenko, but is focusing on appealing directly to those working in his administration.
Over 200 arrested at “Freedom Day” protest in Belarus, but turnout was low
Belarusian police arrested over 200 protesters during Belarus’ Freedom Day demonstrations on March 25, the first big protests of the spring season, although the turnout was disappointingly small.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko names possible successors
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko named former minister of the interior and presidential aide Yuri Karayev and former health minister Vladimir Karanik as possible successors if he were to stand down as president.
MITTELEUROPEAN INSIGHTS: Central and Southeastern Europe head for a V-shaped recovery
The moderate GDP setbacks in 2020 imply that for some CEE countries there will not be such drastic recovery and rebound effects in 2021 as in hard-hit countries in Western Europe.
Belarus’ Tikhanovskaya calls for online vote on talks between Minsk and opposition
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is calling for online talks between self-appointed President Lukashenko's regime and the opposition.
Rising inflation in Emerging Europe poses dilemma for central banks
With economies primed to rebound as pandemic restrictions are loosened, consumer prices could rise even further, reawakening an issue that has long been ignored.
Ukraine still importing power from Belarus, despite promise to break ties
As the heating season is close to ending Ukraine is still importing large amounts of power from Belarus, despite a promise to break its connection to the Belarusian and Soviet era grid.
Belarusian opposition proposes draft text of a new constitution
The Belarusian opposition has a very short list of demands: Belarus' self-appointed President Alexander Lukashenko must step down, political prisoners must be freed and new elections must be held.
The official Belarusian Eurovision entry likely to get booed off the stage
The officially backed Belarusian candidate for this year’s Eurovision song contest, Galasy ZMesta, is likely to get booed off the stage if it is allowed to compete.
Multinational firms under pressure to break ties with Belarus
International multinational firms are coming under increased pressure to break business ties with Belarus as opposition leaders apply a "name and shame" campaign as part of their struggle to oust incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko.
“Lukashenko Gold Mine” investigation exposing Belarus president’s riches scores 2mn views in 24 hours
Nexta Telegram channel video by Belarus opposition follows success of Navalny's 'Putin's Palace' expose of Russian president.
The female voice of change
Emerging Europe has a growing number of female politicians taking a stand against corruption and authoritarianism.
