Central Europe / News
Hungary’s Richter expands US footprint with strategic investment in biopharma company
CEE’s leading pharma Richter Gedeon has acquired a "significant stake" and entered into a business development partnership with Granata Bio, a US-based company specialising in reproductive health.
Magyar Telekom to spin off mobile towers unit
Magyar Telekom will spin off its passive mobile infrastructure into a separate unit, the company announced on May 13. The transaction, pending approval by shareholders at the June 26 EGM, could be closed in the last quarter.
Hungary's annual vehicle output set to reach 1mn soon, Foreign Minister says at automotive conference
Ongoing projects in Hungary's vehicle sector will push annual output above 1mn cars and 2mn engines, and Hungary will have the world's second-largest EV battery production capacity, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.
Viktor Orban meets Bank of China chairman amid deepening financial ties with Beijing
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Bank of China chairman Ge Haijiao in Budapest on May 12. The talks focused on expanding the Chinese banking giant’s operations in the country, according to a brief government statement.
EU Commissioner asks Czechs to wait to sign Dukovany nuclear contract
Czech media speculated that the European Commission could take action over the Dukovany nuclear tender, including a possible review of the selection of KHNP.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
Orban backs away from far-right Romanian presidential candidate Simion
Hungarian PM Orban’s apparent support for ultranationalist politician George Simion sparked a backlash from Romania’s Hungarian minority.
COMMENT: Slovak Prime Minister Fico hits back at EU foreign policy chief Kallas criticism of his Moscow trip in a scathing letter
A war of words between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and EU foreign policy chief and former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas escalated with a scathing letter following Fico Moscow trip to attend Putin's V-Day celebrations.
Poland and France seal landmark defence and cooperation treaty
The agreement, which includes mutual military assistance, marks the first time France has extended such a commitment to a non-neighbouring country.
EU leaders demand Putin end hostilities or face crushing sanctions
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a rare midnight press conference on May 10 and called for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in the Istanbul format, as the key EU members of the coalition of the willing met Ukrainian President Zelinskiy.
Lithuanian activists hand out condoms on Victory Day to prevent 'another Putin' from being born
Activists gave out condoms at the entrance to the Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius, where the city’s Russian community were marking Victory over Fascism Day.
Police issue dire warning after bear spotted in Tallinn, the Estonian capital
The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) issued a public safety warning following the sighting of a bear in the Nomme district of Tallinn on May 8, ERR.ee reported on May 9.
Former Hungarian PM Ferenc Gyurcsany, long-time adversary of Viktor Orban, quits politics
Ferenc Gyurcsany, Hungary's former PM and longtime figurehead of the Democratic Coalition, is stepping down from all political roles and retreating from public life, marking the end of a polarising two-decade career that shaped Hungarian politics.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico forced to fly around the houses on his way to Moscow
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was forced to take the long way round on his trip to Moscow to attend Russia’s Victory Parade on Red Square on May 9.
Warsaw University in shock as student kills woman, injures man with axe
Poland’s leading University of Warsaw is in mourning after a 22-year-old law student killed a woman working as a porter and nearly fatally injured a man who attempted to assist her using an axe on May 7.
Brussels refers Hungary to EU Court over release of human smugglers
The European Commission has referred Hungary to the European Court of Justice over its controversial policy of releasing convicted human smugglers from prison before they complete their sentence, citing violations of EU criminal law obligations.
EU allies prepared to back Moldova’s EU accession bid without Ukraine if Hungary’s veto not lifted
EU member states most supportive of Ukraine are ready to move forward with accession talks for Moldova without Ukraine, if Hungary continues to block progress for Kyiv.
Hungarian Commissioner delays EU plan to curb Russian energy dependence
Hungary's EU Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi raised a last-minute objection to delay the approval of the EU's roadmap for ending the bloc's Russian energy reliance.
Hungary's Fiscal Council raises red flag over government 2026 draft budget plans
Hungary's Fiscal Council has raised concerns over the government's draft budget for 2026, warning that it rests on overly optimistic growth assumptions and contains multiple risks.
Press freedom declines sharply in several Balkan countries
Declines reported in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania in the latest global ranking from Reporters Without Borders.