Proposed defence spending hike to 5% of GDP exposes divisions among Nato members

Russia hawks in Poland and the Baltic States are firmly behind plan to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, while other members question new target.

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.

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.

Slovak unemployment stays at 3.71% in May

Unemployment in Slovakia stayed at 3.71% in May, the same as in the previous month. The April level was the lowest on record since 1993. Year on year, it dropped by 0.07 percentage points.

European Commission concerned about proposed changes to Slovak constitution

The European Commission is concerned about the changes to the Slovak constitution, which the left-right cabinet of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is trying to push through the country’s parliament this week.

Who hold the most gold reserves?

In 2025, gold prices reached unprecedented levels, with spot gold trading at above $3,932 per troy ounce as of May 7th, an increase of over 83% within just a year.

US resists EU and UK push to cut Russian oil price cap at G7 summit

The US is resisting calls from European governments to reduce the G7 price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel, frustrating efforts by the EU and UK to increase financial pressure on Moscow as leaders meet for a G7 in Canada.

Slovak PM Fico wants EU leaders to postpone vote on new sanctions against Russia

Fico had previously criticised the plan to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, which the EU introduced last month.

Europe’s defence needs to adapt to different US, Czech President Pavel says

Europe must be able to defend its own interests "without active American support if necessary", Petr Pavel tells the Globsec security forum.

Slovak inflation spikes to 4.1% y/y in May, highest since 2023

Consumer price indices in Slovakia increased by 4.1% year on year in May, the highest value since December, and returned to an accelerating trajectory after easing in April to 3.7% y/y.

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.

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.

Slovak industry returns to decline of 0.4% y/y in April

Deloitte EMEA Fast 500 Technology ranking brims with Turkish, CEE and SEE startups

Top entry from Turkey is Novi Robot, a maker of automation systems for manufacturing plants.

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.

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.

Global energy investment to reach a record $3.3 trillion in 2025, but problems with grids remain – IEA

Global energy investment is projected to reach a record $3.3 trillion in 2025, despite continued economic uncertainty and heightened geopolitical risks, according to the International Energy Agency.

COMMENT: All three leaders in Poland, Slovakia and Hungary under pressure

All three of the leaders in Poland, Slovakia and Hungary are under pressure and looking at ways to shore up their hold on power.

40% of Europe already in a drought before summer gets fully underway

As Europe slides into its third disaster season, 40% of the EU is already officially facing a drought before the hottest months of the year arrive. And this year’s droughts are likely to become even worse than previous heatwaves.

COVID is back - a new "NB.1.8.1" strain is spreading across continents

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is back. Reports from health authorities around the world have detected a new highly contagious strain of the virus that has been spreading through Asia and has now reached Russia.