Central Europe / News
Hungary’s central bank likely to pause monetary easing after 25bp cut in base rate to 7.0%
The MNB lowered its inflation forecast by 0.5pp to 3.0% in its quarterly macro update, while keeping the GDP outlook unchanged.
Orban slams EU carve-up of top jobs at informal summit
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen looks set for another five-year term. Former Portuguese premier Antonio da Costa is tipped as next European Council president, and Estonian premier Kaja Kallas could be foreign affairs chief.
Orban regime interfered in high-profile tax fraud case, claims former tax investigator
Businessman who had tax probe dropped later established an alleged spoiler political party to further divide the opposition in the 2022 general elections.
Pellegrini pledges to unite deeply divided Slovakia
Pellegrini’s inauguration came a month after populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, Pellegrini’s coalition partner and former colleague, was shot in an assassination attempt.
Slovenian opposition SDS prepares for potential snap election
After beating Slovenia's ruling coalition in the European Parliament elections, Janez Jansa's SDS says it is poised for a comeback in Slovenia.
Orban and Stoltenberg reach agreement on Hungarian opt-out on Nato support for Ukraine
Hungary will not have to provide funding for Ukraine or send personnel there, but it will also not obstruct other Nato members from doing so.
Rail Baltica could require an extra €19bn in funding, say audit offices
Reducing the originally planned scope of the project is expected to nearly halve the anticipated budget shortfall for the three countries by 2030.
Dombrovskis, Kallas and Landsbergis tipped as Baltic states’ European commissioners
Latvian government agrees to nominate Valdis Dombrovskis again for the post of European commissioner, with a formal decision set to be made on June 12.
Prime Minister Tusk’s centrists edge out PiS and surging far-right in EP election
The result marks the first defeat of PiS by their arch-rivals in as many as 10 elections.
Eurosceptics sweep Czech EP elections
The populist Eurosceptic ANO party of billionaire Andrej Babis came first with 26.14%, ahead of the ruling SPOLU coalition list with 22.27%.
Magyar’s new party wins 30% of votes in Hungarian EP elections
Former Fidesz insider Peter Magyar’s Respect and Freedom party comes within shooting distance of Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party at the EP and local government elections.
Orban withdraws Fidesz candidate to try to unseat opposition Budapest mayor
Hungarian strongman gambles to try to topple high-profile mayor Gergely Karacsony.
German, French luxury carmakers lobby EU to hold off on export restrictions to Belarus
The German and French makers of luxury cars are lobbying the EU to prevent sanctions on exports of their products to Belarus, which eventually end up in Russia.
Polish soldier stabbed at Belarusian border dies
The government is already facing attacks by the opposition over news that three soldiers were detained a few weeks ago at the border after firing warning shots.
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Doubts over Czech election favourite ANO's future membership in EP Renew group
ANO is leading a fierce campaign in Czechia in which it has attacked the EU, especially over the Green Deal and the recent migration pact.
Hungarian state buys back Budapest Airport in deal worth €4.3bn
State stake could be reduced to 51% with the possible future involvement of the Qatar Investment Authority.
Fico forgives his would-be assassin and attacks opposition in first statement since shooting
Slovak premier calls shooter an “opposition activist” and a "messenger of evil and political hatred" that had been built up by the "politically unsuccessful and frustrated" opposition.
Hungary’s MVM Group acquires 5% stake in Shah Deniz gasfield in Azerbaijan
The 5% stake would translate into an annual supply of 1.5 bcm of natural gas for Hungary.
Bosnia stops citizens of states that backed UN Srebrenica resolution from voting in European Parliament elections
Bosnian Serb ministers reject requests to allow citizens of Romania, Slovenia and Poland in Bosnia to vote in the European Parliament elections.
S&P downgrades Czech CPI’s rating to junk with a negative outlook
Radovan Vitek's property group says downgrade was 'disappointing' as it continues sell-offs to cut debt.