Central Europe / News
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.
Czech cabinet survives no-confidence vote filed over bitcoin scandal
The Czech centre-right cabinet of Prime Minister Petr Fiala survived the no-confidence vote filed by the opposition parties over the scandal involving the bitcoin donation of CZK1bn (€40mn) to the Ministry of Justice from a sentenced drug dealer.