Central Europe / News
European Commission launches inquiry over BYD’s Hungarian investment
The European Commission has launched an investigation into whether BYD received unfair state subsidies from China to support the construction of its Hungarian factory.
Slovak PM Fico insists his policies are ‘sovereign’ after not blocking EU’s Ukrainian policy
Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico insisted his policies are “sovereign” after he took part in the EU summit, which he had threatened to boycott earlier.
Hungarian PM vetoes joint declaration at EU summit
"I have vetoed the joint declaration regarding Ukraine because we cannot support any joint position before Hungarians express their opinion on Ukraine's European Union membership," Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on March 20 in a video.
Hungary's State Audit Office files criminal complaint over operation of National Bank foundations
Hungary's State Audit Office has filed a criminal complaint over multiple suspected offences related to the financial management of the foundations controlled by the National Bank.
Opposition lights smoke flares, sings Soviet anthem in parliament as Fidesz lawmakers restrict right of assembly, banning Pride March
Hungary's parliament has approved legislation to amend assembly laws in a fast-track procedure that effectively bans Pride marches.
Several EU countries back push to fund Prague-based RFE/RL in response to Trump axeing it
Member states want EU to fund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at dismantling the Agency for Global Media.
MOL finds oil in southwest Hungary
New oil field discovered with a potential production capacity of 1,200 barrels per day.
Slovakia’s populist PM Fico signs agreement with ex-ruling coalition legislators, restoring parliamentary majority
Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico has signed an agreement with Samuel Migal and Radomir Salitros, who were ejected from Fico’s Smer’s key ruling coalition ally, the conservative centre-left Hlas party.
Wild boars unearth World War 2 mortar shells in Polish forest
A group of wild boars dug up 21 unexploded mortar shells from World War 2 in a forest near the village of Bięcino in northern Poland, local police in Słupsk said on 17 March.
Lithuania links Russian intelligence to arson attacks in Vilnius and Warsaw
Lithuanian prosecutors have accused Russian military intelligence of orchestrating an arson attack on an IKEA store in Vilnius in May, the Prosecutor General's Office said on 17 March.
Washington leans on Budapest to back down from veto threats
Hungary's government has backed down on vetoing European Union sanctions on Russia following direct pressure from Washington.
Hungarian lawmakers move legislation in fast-track vote to ban Pride March
Hungary's parliament has approved an expedited procedure to pass legislation that would effectively ban Pride marches, with a final vote expected on March 18.
Hungarian PM seems to backtrack from controversial "bedbug" analogy after uproar
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban offered a retrospective "interpretation" of his controversial speech on March 15, in which he referred to political opponents, judges, journalists and civil activists as bedbugs, causing widespread outrage.
Viktor Orban vows to crack down on media, judiciary, NGOs in holiday speech
Viktor Orban delivered a combative speech promising an Easter cleanup of “bedbugs”, referring to journalists, judges, opposition forces and NGOs critical of the government.
EU to soften gas storage rules to avoid price spikes
EU member states are considering softening the bloc’s binding gas storage targets in order to avoid sending gas prices soaring again ahead of what is anticipated to be a difficult year.
Hungary demands removal of Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman from EU sanctions list
The Hungarian government, widely regarded as the most Russia-friendly in the EU, has repeatedly obstructed EU sanctions against Moscow and delayed military aid to Ukraine.
Tusk hails Erdogan meeting as “historic breakthrough” as Poland, Turkey commit to joint defence, arms production work
"Our cooperation as two strong Nato partners has taken on a new significance today," he says.
EU braces for Hungarian veto on Russia sanctions extension
Brussels is preparing for the possibility that Hungary may block the renewal of European Union sanctions against Russia, a move that could unfreeze tens of billions of euros in assets and undermine Ukraine's financial aid structure.
Poland’s Tusk backs Turkey for Ukraine peace process role on Ankara visit
Trip also provides support to president Erdogan as he bids to make Turkish armed forces and defence industry prominent in Europe's plan to rearm and strengthen security architecture.
Druzhba pipeline oil deliveries suspended temporarily due to drone strike, Hungarian FM says
Oil deliveries to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline have had to be suspended temporarily on March 11 due to a Ukrainian drone strike on one of the pipeline’s measuring stations.