Central Europe / News
EC slams Hungary over rule-of-law backsliding in latest report
Hungary has made no progress on key rule-of-law concerns flagged in previous years, according to the European Commission’s latest rule-of-law report released on July 8.
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Poland reintroduces border checks with Germany and Lithuania
Government says the measures respond to a growing threat of irregular border crossings.
Ukraine says EU accession talks can proceed without Hungary’s consent
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration says that negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union can begin without the support of Hungary, as only 26 members are needed to start the talks.
Sergei Lavrov lauds Hungarian government’s policy in interview with pro-Orban media
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has lauded the Hungarian government's foreign policy as "balanced and pragmatic", in an interview granted to pro-Orban daily Magyar Nemzet.
Estonia declines airBaltic stake offer amid airline's financial challenges
Estonia has decided against purchasing a stake in Latvia's flag carrier airBaltic, Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis announced on July 3.
Ex-wife of Hungary's Peter Magyar testifies in court in high-profile corruption case
Former justice minister Judit Varga appeared in court on July 3 as a witness in a high-profile corruption case, which centres around Gyorgy Schadl, former head of the bailiff chamber (MBVK), and ex-state secretary of the Justice Minister Pal Volner.
Poland to invest $665mn to boost its domestic ammunition output to 1mn rounds a year
Poland will invest PLN2.6bn ($665mn) to increase its domestic ammunition output, the government announced on July 2, as it seeks to strengthen national defence capabilities and support Ukraine's military needs.
EU taxpayers funnelled up to €5.5bn into Orban's kleptocracy, anti-graft watchdog claims
Between 2011 and 2023, EU taxpayers may have unwittingly contributed €3.2–5.5bn to the consolidation of Viktor Orban’s kleptocratic regime, according to a new study by the Corruption Research Centre Budapest.
Slovak opposition accuses government of siding with Hungary in ending Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros dispute
Slovak opposition parties accused the left-right cabinet of Prime Minister Robert Fico of securing favourable terms for Hungary by bringing the long-standing Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric power plant System dispute to an end.
€220,000 Rolls-Royce owned by Russia-linked mayor of Kaunas hits pedestrian
Visvaldas Matijosaitis, mayor of Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city and one of the country's richest men, struck a pedestrian with his ca €220,000 Rolls-Royce on June 30 at a pedestrian crossing in the city.
Poland eyes border checks with Lithuania amid migrant pressure, but Vilnius left in the dark
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on June 30 that his government is considering reintroducing border controls with Lithuania in response to increased concerns about irregular migration.
Latvia eyes public spending cuts amid budget strain and MP rings alarm bells
Latvia’s government ministries have begun outlining a series of proposed cost-cutting strategies aimed at easing pressure on the national budget. More than 250 suggestions have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance.
Emerging Europe growth resilient despite global risks, wiiw says
Economies across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe are set to maintain solid growth in 2025 and 2026 but face downside risks from Middle East tensions, the war in Ukraine and US trade policy.
Poland ends the last of Russian oil imports
Poland’s largest energy company, state-owned Orlen, has ended its last contract for Russian crude oil and halted these imports, declaring finally that it has “freed the region from Russian crude oil”.
Slovak MFA Blanár causes international outrage for his statements on forgiving Russia
Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Juraj Blanár has caused international outrage for his statement about the need to “find some way of cooperation and maybe also of forgiveness” to Russia.
Hungary imposes mid-year austerity on state-owned companies
The Hungarian government is introducing further measures to stabilise the 2024 budget after earlier signs that this year’s fiscal plan has gone off track.
US lifts sanctions related to Paks nuclear plant upgrade
The expansion of the Paks II nuclear power plant could now gain "new momentum" following Washington's decision to lift sanctions related to the project.
Hungarian astronaut arrives at ISS aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon
The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying the crew of the Ax-4 mission, including Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, docked with the International Space Station on June 27.
Budapest Pride’s record turnout exposes Viktor Orban’s waning grip on power
Sheer scale of the event and the state's eventual decision to allow it to proceed signal a loss of control and resolve within Hungary's ruling Fidesz.
Budapest Pride defies ban as European politicians rally against Hungary’s crackdown
Budapest Pride went ahead on June 28 in defiance of a government ban, drawing the support of more than 70 members of the European Parliament and several prominent European ministers, who travelled to the Hungarian capital to back the event.