Central Europe / News
Rafał Trzaskowski ahead in Polish presidential election by margin too narrow to call winner, exit poll shows
Trzaskowski has secured 50.3% of the vote compared with Nawrocki’s 49.7%, with turnout at a high 72.8%. While the margin is razor-thin, election authorities are expected to confirm the result by tomorrow.
MOL to take majority stake in Hungary's leading engineering university
Hungary's MOL is set to take majority ownership in the state-owned company running Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary's most prestigious engineering institution, for HUF50bn (€120mn).
Czech Justice Minister Blažek resigns after revelations his ministry accepted CZK1bn in bitcoins from drug dealer
Pavel Blažek’s resignation comes just four months before the October elections, which the opposition ANO party is widely expected to win.
Estonia’s Eurovision singer’s Espresso Macchiato teasing Italians goes wild
After finishing third in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, Estonian artist Tommy Cash has seen his hit single Espresso Macchiato break into both the Billboard Global 200 chart in the United States and the UK Top 40.
Lithuania hands over probe into American soldiers’ deaths to US authorities
Lithuania handed over the investigation into the deaths of US soldiers at the Pabrade military training area to American authorities, Chief of Defence Raimundas Vaiksnoras said.
COVID is back - a new "NB.1.8.1" strain is spreading across continents
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is back. Reports from health authorities around the world have detected a new highly contagious strain of the virus that has been spreading through Asia and has now reached Russia.
Hungary top European destination for Chinese FDI for second year in a row
Hungary was the top European destination for Chinese foreign direct investment for the second consecutive year in 2024, according to a report by the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency.
Slump in vehicle sector hits Mercedes’ operation in Hungary
Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary reported a 40% drop in profit as production fell 20% at its Hungarian base, mirroring the slump in the automotive sector.
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Slovakia's central bank governor found guilty of bribery
Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia Peter Kažimír has been found guilty of bribery in a high-profile case and has been fined €200,000, which can be turned into a one-year prison sentence if not paid.
Hungary extends cap on markups until end of August, retailers warn of mass closures
Hungary's government has extended a mandatory cap on markups for a range of food products until the end of August in a bid to contain inflation, despite pledging to phase out the measure at the end of May.
Poland's presidential candidate Nawrocki lurches to the extreme right, seeking support ahead of crucial run-off vote
Poland’s radical right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party’s presidential election candidate Karol Nawrocki has swung to the far right in the last days of campaign, as he seeks to pick up every single vote in the extremely tight race.
EU states condemn Hungary over law banning Budapest Pride, urge Brussels to take action
Seventeen EU member states have issued a joint statement condemning Hungary’s recent legal measures that ban Budapest Pride, warning that the legislation infringes on fundamental rights and contradicts core European values.
Polish presidential frontrunner Nawrocki sues publication for alleging he was a pimp
Karol Nawrocki, a presidential candidate of the radical right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, has sued Onet, a news website, for a report that alleged he used to arrange prostitutes for guests at the Grand Hotel in Sopot while working as a guard.
CPAC brings MAGA message to Poland ahead of presidential vote
Poland’s southeastern town of Jasionka hosted the first Polish edition of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on May 27.
Czech PM Fiala admits cabinet may not be able to sign Dukovany nuclear contract
The contract with South Korean Hydro and Nuclear Power faces extended delays after one of the two unsuccessful bidders, French Électricité de France, filed a lawsuit against the selection of KHNP.
Hungary’s central bank keeps rates steady at 6.5%, reaffirms cautious outlook
The Monetary Council of the Hungarian National Bank left the base rate on hold at 6.5% while keeping the interest rate corridor unchanged at a monthly policy meeting on May 27, fully in line with projections.
Viktor Orban may have lobbied to bring Italian Supercup to Budapest in secret Saudi meeting
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met privately with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh in October 2022, just months after MbS took on the role of prime minister.
Slovak PM Fico slams German Merz for his comments on EU taking action against Hungary and Slovakia
Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico slammed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for stating that Germany could propose EU block the EU funding for Hungary and Slovakia if the two countries diverge from EU policies.
Hungarian banks warn of fallout from Putin-style 'transparency bill' on financial system
Hungarian banks have sounded the alarm over the government's controversial Putin-style 'transparency bill', warning that it is already fuelling capital flight and eroding confidence in the domestic financial system.
Czech PPF bosses are ready to take on Netflix and HBO in PPF’s home markets
PPF executives say the group's local content gives it a competitive advantage over international players in small CEE markets.