Czech Republic
PPF agrees to sell Russian banking assets
Czech financial group finally sells out to a group of investors led by Ivan Tyryshkin, chairman of the fintech SPB Exchange.
bneGREEN: Raising EU green targets will cost an extra €195bn
The European Commission is considering raising its renewable energy target for 2030 to 45% in new green plans to be published later in May.
New Czech central bank governor to push for dovish monetary policy
Ales Michl, who will take charge from the July monetary council meeting, has been an outspoken opponent of interest rate hikes. This could mean the next council in June will take the opportunity to hike rates before he takes over,
Czech inflation in April up to its highest level since 1993
In yearly terms, inflation accelerated to 14.2% in April, up from 12.7% in March, driven mainly by price increases in housing, fuel and food.
EBRD expects 30% GDP contraction in Ukraine in 2022, lowers emerging Europe projections
The EBRD has cut its 2022 emerging Europe growth forecasts again, reflecting a sharp downgrade for Ukraine and the regional fallout from the war and sanctions.
Czech unemployment rate down to 3.3% in April
Unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point month-on-month and by 0.8pp year-on-year.
Czech central bank hikes rates by 75bp to tame soaring inflation
Polish central bank, by also hiking 75bp, opted for a smaller hike than expected.
Smejc to take over as PPF chief executive
Recruitment of Smejc and billionaire Kretinsky will strengthen Czech financial group's management following the damage to its investments caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Czechs join Slovakia and Hungary in demanding exemption from EU embargo on Russian oil
Heavily-dependent states will be allowed to buy Russian oil exports until the end of 2023, while other states have to cease crude deliveries in six months.
NEMETHY: How will the war in Ukraine affect Emerging Markets?
We have all heard the adage that a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon could affect the weather patterns on the other side of the planet. Might the war in Ukraine also have such unintended consequences?
Czech economy grew by 4.6% y/y in 1Q22
Capital Economics predicts GDP will contract by 0.4% q/q in 2Q22 and stagnate for the remainder of the year, as industry struggles with supply problems.
BOOK REVIEW: How the handling of migration from the eastern EU states pushed the UK towards Brexit
“Here to Stay: Eastern Europeans in Britain” tells the story of the half million citizens of the new EU member states who have moved to the UK since the early 21st century.
Czech Archbishop Duka defends Russian soldiers over rape of Ukrainian women
Conservative head of Czech Catholic church causes outrage by asking public not to condemn Russian soldiers for atrocities they commit on Ukrainian women.
Visegrad Group needs to 're-invent itself", says Rupnik
The Visegrad Group of four Central European countries is in “deep freeze” because of the Hungarian-Polish split over the Ukraine war, says Sciences Po professor.
Emerging Europe growth to fall to an average of 3% this year, says wiiw
Russian GDP forecast to fall by 9-15% this year, while Ukraine's economy could collapse by 38-45%.
Czech unemployment rate falls to 3.4% in March
Towards 13,000 Ukrainians have found jobs since the late February invasion of their country.
Czech inflation in March up to its highest level in past 25 years
Rise in consumer prices hits 12.7% year-on-year.
VISEGRAD BLOG: Are broad coalitions really the best way to overthrow authoritarian populists?
The Hungarian election has dealt a big blow to the once confident hope that broad opposition pre-electoral coalitions are the best way to remove entrenched authoritarian populists from power.
Slovakia donates S-300 air defence system to Ukraine
Slovakia plans to replace the S-300 system with US-made Patriot systems operated by Nato allies, which are already arriving in the country.
Czechia’s Presidential Office shredded another 32 intelligence reports
The irregular shredding of classified documents has raised suspicions that the president's close aides – who do not have security clearance – may have looked at the documents.
