Central Europe / News
Hungarian pro-government security analyst allegedly linked to Russian intelligence
Georg Spottle, a German-Hungarian security policy commentator frequently featured in Hungarian pro-government media, has reportedly maintained contact with Russian intelligence operatives.
Ukraine’s “enemies database” adds foreign leaders over Moscow ties
A Ukrainian website that catalogues perceived "enemies of Ukraine" has added several prominent Russia-friendly foreign leaders to its database, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
EC suspends excessive deficit procedure against Hungary
This year’s framework for the fiscal review of member states offers the chance to activate a National Escape Clause, allowing a temporary deviation from the net expenditure path set by the Council.
Hungary to sell majority of its defence industry interests to 4iG
Hungary is set to privatise the majority of its defence industry interests with 4iG, closely aligned with the government acquiring a 75% plus one vote majority in state defence company N7 Holding.
Poland’s Tusk wins vote of confidence but fails to outline new direction for government
Recent defeat of Tusk’s preferred presidential candidate dashed the prime minister’s hopes of launching a sweeping legislative agenda.
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Poland to receive 180 K2 tanks in €5.1bn deal
The signing ceremony for the second executive agreement on delivering 180 K2 tanks for the Polish army is expected to take place at the end of June.
Zelenskiy says Orban making "historic mistake" on Ukraine war in first interview with Hungarian press
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of launching a direct attack on Hungary, after the Ukrainian leader gave his first interview to the Hungarian press since Russia's full-scale invasion began.
Polish PM Tusk facing confidence vote after his candidate loses presidential bid
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is about to face a vote of confidence in the Sejm on June 11, following the narrow defeat of his preferred candidate, Rafał Trzaskowski, by Karol Nawrocki in the presidential run‑off on June 1.
Hungary’s state debt manager to double FX issuance target after government ups deficit forecast
Hungary’s Government Debt Agency has revised its financing plan after the National Economy Ministry raised its cash-flow deficit forecast by HUF651bn (€1.62bn) to HUF4.7 trillion for 2025 after the ministry released May budget figures.
Ukrainian refugees fuelled Polish economy with €16bn boost in 2024
The study by consultancy Deloitte for UNHCR found that nearly 70% of working-age Ukrainians in Poland now have jobs, just shy of the 75% employment rate among locals.
Slovak environment ministry permits shooting of 126 protected brown bears
The Slovak Ministry of Environment, headed by the SNS party nominee Tomas Taraba, has permitted the shooting of 126 protected brown bears since the beginning of this year, which includes 24 exemptions.
Hungarian PM delivers firebrand Pentecost speech at far-right rally in France
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has declared that nationalist forces will seize control of the European Union within "a year or two", and is vowing to reshape the bloc from within and end what he calls the dominance of "Brussels bureaucrats".
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Talks begin on PLN1bn support plan for ArcelorMittal steelworks in Poland
Talks have begun over a public support package for steelmaker ArcelorMittal Poland’s plant in Dąbrowa Górnicza, with the government considering a PLN1bn (€230mn) allocation for the plant’s modernisation.
Czech government reiterates domestic suppliers will have 60% share in Dukovany nuclear project
The Czech government reiterated that domestic suppliers will have a 60% share in the CZK407bn (16.4bn) project to construct two new blocks at the Dukovany nuclear power plant.
Construction bosses turn witness in Turkey’s investigation into “Imamoglu Crime Syndicate”
Prosecution secures confessions from multiple individuals who experience claimed enlightenment in jail. Critics contend probe is entirely political and bogus.
Hungary’s MVM joins $2.9bn Shah Deniz gas project in Azerbaijan
Hungarian state-owned energy group MVM has secured a 5% stake in the next phase of Azerbaijan’s flagship Shah Deniz gas field, joining a $2.9bn development led by BP.
Czech finance minister rejects calls for his resignation amid bitcoin scandal embarrassment
The unprecedented scandal has already cost th seat of Stanjura’s ODS party colleague and Minister of Justice Pavel Blažek, after it was revealed that Blažek’s ministry had accepted CZK1bn (€40mn) in bitcoin from a sentenced drug dealer.
Hungary breached EU law by restricting LGBTQ content, CJEU adviser says
Hungary’s controversial "child protection" law violates EU rules by restricting access to LGBTQ content, according to Tamara Capeta, Advocate General of the European Court of Justice.
Slovak parliament passes resolution against anti-Russian sanctions after opposition boycott backfires
The Slovak parliament has passed a resolution urging members of the populist left-right cabinet of Robert Fico not to vote against new sanctions directed against Russia.
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Fico’s Slovak ruling coalition split over backing sentenced central banker Kažimír for another term
Left-right ruling coalition of the Slovak populist prime minister Robert Fico is split over whether to back Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia Peter Kažimír, for another six-year term in office after the current one expired on May 31.