Czech Republic

COMMENT: Europe’s outlook improves as Trump makes Ukraine conflct progress

bne IntelliNews March 28, 2025

European leaders are alarmed at the increasingly warm relations between US President Trump and Putin, but economists are encouraged as even a “quick and dirty” ceasefire deal to the Ukraine conflict will buoy flagging CEE economies.

Czech central bankers keep interest rate at 3.75%

bne IntelliNews March 26, 2025

Czech National Bank (CNB) kept the interest rate unchanged at 3.75%, meeting wide market expectations. The rate is the lowest since January 2022.

TNT ammunition depot in Czechia explodes

Albin Sybera in Prague March 25, 2025

The cause of the explosion is currently unclear, but police said a “technical issue” is “the most likely cause”.

COMMENT: Is the EU going to fall apart?

Ben Aris in Berlin March 21, 2025

Is the EU about to break apart under the stress of taking over the full weight of supporting Ukraine, the need to rearm and the hundreds of billions that must be invested if it is to become competitive again?

Several EU countries back push to fund Prague-based RFE/RL in response to Trump axeing it

Albin Sybera in Prague March 19, 2025

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.

EU to soften gas storage rules to avoid price spikes

bne IntelliNews March 17, 2025

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.

EU countries weigh costs of planned military buildup

bne IntelliNews March 7, 2025

What we know so far about EU member states’ plans to hike defence spending in face of "existential challenge" from Russia, and how this will be financed.

EU leaders back defence spending boost, pledge support for Ukraine

bne IntelliNews March 6, 2025

EU leaders unanimously agree to ramp up defence spending at emergency summit, but Hungary refuses to endorse statement on support for Ukraine.

EU Council president says leaders “here to take decisions” as he arrives at Brussels summit

bne IntelliNews March 6, 2025

EU leaders to discuss support for Ukraine and strengthening of Europe’s defence capabilities in response to the sudden change in the geopolitical situation.

Fears Russia-friendly EU members to undermine ‘five to midnight’ summit

bne IntelliNews March 6, 2025

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban indicated ahead of the crucial summit that he might veto additional support for Ukraine.

Turkey invited to top table as Europe scrambles to rearm

bne IntelliNews March 3, 2025

With European powers facing sobering reality of possible future with little or no US defence support, attention has turned to Ankara's big defence manufacturing capacity and 800,000-strong army.

OPINION: The EU must bet on nuclear

Owen Walden-Harris March 3, 2025

For Central and Eastern Europe, over reliance on renewable energy for the green transition will compound the already significant challenge of shifting away from a predominantly coal and natural gas based energy network.

Europe will need Turkey in world with less or no Nato says foreign minister

bne IntelliNews February 28, 2025

Ankara has second largest land forces in military bloc. Turkish officials leverage the point in effort at obtaining long-sought EU membership.

EBRD lowers 2025 forecasts citing subdued global growth and trade fragmentation

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow February 27, 2025

Weaker external demand and potential impact of Trump tariffs weigh on Emerging Europe, Central Asia and Semed regions, with growth now projected at 3.2%.

Relief in Emerging Europe at AfD’s election defeat, but concern over party's gains

bne IntelliNews February 24, 2025

Mainstream politicians across Central and Southeast Europe have expressed relief at the outcome of Germany's general election, which saw the far-right Alternative for Germany make gains but ultimately fall short of securing victory.

Iraqi PM visits Czechia amid arms and security diversification push

bnm Gulf bureau February 13, 2025

Baghdad Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani arrived in Prague on February 13 for official talks focused on military deals.

COMMENT: Upside inflation risks build across CEE

Ben Aris in Berlin February 13, 2025

Inflationary pressures across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are intensifying, with higher-than-expected consumer price index (CPI) data prompting a shift in monetary policy expectations across the region, says Capital Economics.

Czech January inflation confirmed to have slowed down to 2.8% y/y

bne IntelliNews February 12, 2025

Czech consumer price indices increased by 2.8% year on year and by 1.3% month on month after the Czech Statistical Office confirmed its previous y/y inflation growth estimate.

Czech unemployment rises to 4.3% in January

bne IntelliNews February 10, 2025

Unemployment in Czechia rose to 4.3% in January, a 0.2 percentage point increase from December’s 4.1%. Altogether, 320,516 job applicants were registered with the country’s Labour Office in the traditionally high unemployment month of the year.

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