Central Europe / News
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.
Kaczyński re-elected as PiS leader as party gears up for election in 2027
Jarosław Kaczyński has secured another term as leader of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party on June 28 during a party congress in Przysucha. Kaczyński, who has held the top position in PiS since 2003, received 1,214 delegate votes.
Polish astronaut docks at ISS after historic launch aboard Ax-4 mission
The Crew Dragon capsule carrying Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski successfully docked with the International Space Station on June 26, completing Poland’s first crewed space mission since 1978.
A row has broken out between Hungary and Ukraine over Kyiv’s right to join the EU
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed this week that 95% of Hungarians are against Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Czech real estate tycoon Vitek is reportedly mulling sale of his CPI empire
CPIPG is one of the largest real estate groups in Central Europe, with assets in all the V4 countries and Germany.
Nato members agree to 5% GDP spending hike, but will they pay?
Nato leaders agreed to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 and renewed their commitment to collective defence at the Nato summit held in the Hague on June 25, but how many of them will pay?
Czech court rules against French EDF in Dukovany nuclear tender lawsuit
The regional court in Czechia’s second-largest city, Brno, has rejected the lawsuit of the French Électricité de France filed against the previous ruling of the Czech antitrust office ÚOHS.
Estonia already spending more than 5% on Nato defences as it prepares for possible war with Russia
Nato members are gathering in The Hague for the annual security conference on June 25 where the US is demanding countries increase defence spending to at least 5% of GDP by 2035. Estonia is already there.
Slovak President Pellegrini backs postponement of new Nato spending target to 2035
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has backed the postponement of the new Nato defence spending target of 5% of GDP to 2035.
Polish authorities thwarted assassination attempt on Ukrainian president in 2024, officials say
Polish and Ukrainian security services disrupted an attempt to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at Rzeszów airport in April 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine said on June 23.
COMMENT: Fico hints Slovakia won’t spend 5% GDP on Nato defence under his watch
Prime Minister Robert Fico said that Slovakia would not increase defence spending to 5% of GDP as demanded by Nato, as his country has better things to spend budget money on.
Czech Supreme Court cancels acquittal of populist leader Babiš in EU subsidy fraud
The Czech Supreme Court in Prague has cancelled the acquittal of Czech populist leader and billionaire ex-Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and his ex-manager and MEP, Jana Nagyová, over the alleged €2mn Stork's Nest subsidy fraud.
Slovak ultranationalist leader Danko stirs rows inside Fico’s ruling coalition with talk about Nato exit
Andrej Danko's seeks to boost SNS’ faltering popularity in the radical anti-establishment electoral waters with anti-Nato rhetoric.
Hungary in talks with US on major business agreement to offset tariff impact
Hungary and the United States are holding behind-the-scenes negotiations on a potential business agreement aimed at mitigating the negative effects of US tariffs.
Russian ghost ship towed from Gdynia for scrapping in Denmark
Polish authorities began the removal of the derelict Russian oil tanker Khatanga from the Port of Gdynia after years of abandonment.
Budapest municipality to host Pride March on June 28 despite government opposition
The Municipality of Budapest will organise the 30th Budapest Pride event on June 28 as planned, reviving an earlier local tradition of holding a "freedom celebration" coinciding with the anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops.
European Commission targets Hungary’s mandatory markup caps
The European Commission on June 18 launched infringement procedures against Hungary over mandatory markup caps on a range of food and non-food products that the government introduced to counter inflation.
Ruling Fidesz prepares for spending blitz as Hungary lifts campaign limits
Hungary's ruling Fidesz party has pushed through legislation to scrap campaign spending limits, paving the way for what analysts expect will be the country's most expensive election campaign to date.