Central Europe / News
Poland’s ruling coalition pushes forward with conflicting proposals on changing abortion law
A special commission will now look at the proposals in order to hammer out a compromise text.
Hungary announces postponement of investments to meet new deficit target
Analysts calculate that the postponement of HUF675bn (€1.73bn) of state investments will not be enough and that some HUF1.1 trillion of fiscal consolidation is required to keep the revised target of 4.5% of GDP this year.
Poland’s Orlen paid $400mn to scammers for oil that never arrived
'National champion' oil group humiliated by deal with unchecked middleman in scandal that only emerged after dismissal of CEO appointed by PiS government.
Viktor Orban blasts Migration Pact as "another nail in the coffin" of EU
"The MigrationPact is another nail in the coffin of the European Union. Unity is dead, secure borders are no more. Hungary will never give in to the mass migration frenzy! We need a change in Brussels in order to StopMigration!" Orban said.
MOL opens largest green hydrogen plant near Budapest in CEE region
Hungarian oil and gas giant MOL has inaugurated one of Europe's largest green hydrogen plants and the biggest in CEE to support refinery operations at its facility south of Budapest from a €22mn investment.
Czech opposition tries to hold parliamentary session on PM’s financial affairs
Fiala had a holding in PDZ fund suspected of money laundering.
Poland begins big abortion debate that could rock Tusk government
Conservative coalition deputies likely to vote down liberalisation, resulting in a spectacular government defeat.
Poland's Tusk says no to freshly agreed EU migration deal
Poland, Slovakia and Hungary slam European Parliament's migration compromise.
The EU is preparing a new, fourteenth package of sanctions
The EU is preparing a new fourteenth package of sanctions that is slated for adoption in the coming months, but is unlikely to introduce any new products and will focus mostly on enforcing the existing thirteen rounds of sanctions.
Czechoslovak Group’s revenues rise 71% in 2023 as defence booms
Over 60% of the group’s revenues were generated in the CSG defence division, which specialises in production of ground military equipment and large-calibre ammunition.
Polish energy stocks fall after government hints at dropping plan to carve out coal assets
Industry minister says new plan is to link coal-fired power plants with specific mines instead.
Europe exits the winter heating season with record gas stocks
The EU has exited the heating season with a record volume of gas in storage, following another mild winter and as a result of reduced industrial demand and a concerted effort by policymakers to boost stockpiles.
Slovak heritage institution co-operates with Russian counterpart headed by spy chief
Matica slovenska continues to cooperate with Russian Historical Society headed by Sergey Naryshkin, investigative website reports.
PiS tops Polish local elections but likely to lose three regions
Exit polls predict that Law and Justice won 33.7% of the vote, compared to 31.9% for the Civic Coalition, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Magyar steps up as challenger to Orban in largest anti-government protest since 1988
The demonstration is a huge defeat for Fidesz, which has tried desperately to discredit Magyar, bit it is also a huge slap in the face for the opposition, which has been unable to gather a crowd similar to Saturday's rally.
Pellegrini beats Korcok to become the next Slovak president
Parliamentary speaker's victory has raised fears that it will strengthen populist premier Robert Fico’s grip on the country’s institutions.
Poles go to municipal elections in first political test for Tusk’s coalition
Recent polls show that Tusk’s Civic Coalition averages nearly 31% of the regional vote, followed by PiS at just over 28%.
Orban’s son-in-law and Russian oligarch reportedly attempted to buy stakes in Spar
The bids were allegedly part of a campaign by the Hungarian government to force the retailer to allow businessmen close to the Orban regime to enter the company.
Czech spy agency says pro-Kremlin media ring targets European Parliament elections in several states
Far-right politicians across the EU have been promoted on the Voice of Europe media platform ahead of the European Parliament elections.
Russian hard discounter eyes Hungarian retail market
Svetofor faces challenges in its supply chain due to war and sanctions, but is going ahead with plans to expand in Eastern Europe.