Central East Europe / News
Estonian meat producer Rannarootsi denies anti-Russian messaging in grill advert
Estonian meat processor Rannarootsi has refused to withdraw a grill advert accused of carrying anti-Russian messaging, with its chief executive saying the onion slogan referred only to the product's ingredients.
RBI reaches takeover threshold in Addiko bid as battle with NLB enters final week
Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) has reached the minimum acceptance threshold for its takeover bid for Vienna-based Addiko Bank, but rival bidder, Slovenia’s NLB.
Polish farm exports to Mercosur rise as controversial agreement takes effect
Polish agri-food exports to Mercosur rose 28% year on year to €5.9mn in May, the first month of provisional application of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, while imports fell 13.3% to about €141mn, preliminary Agriculture Ministry data showed.
Hungarian government unveils €10bn railway development plan
The Hungarian government has unveiled a HUF3.5 trillion (€9.7bn) ten-year railway development programme aimed at reversing decades of underinvestment, modernising rolling stock and improving the competitiveness of rail transport.
Czech president vetoes cabinet bill aimed at loosening budget responsibility rules
Rejection of legislation by Pavel is latest clash between anti-populist president and populist government headed by billionaire PM Babiš.
Turkish Airlines investigates reported use of Russian airspace on Tallinn flight
Passenger quizzes cabin crew after noticing flight deviation using plane-tracking application.
EU withdraws Slovenia's Fajon as Sahel special representative amid domestic dispute
The EU's foreign policy chief has withdrawn Slovenia's Tanja Fajon as special representative for the Sahel after Prime Minister Janez Janša's new government opposed her nomination, exposing a domestic political rift.
Hungary's president signs constitutional amendment ending his own mandate
Tamas Sulyok ended his own mandate despite strongly criticising the legislation and warning that it marks a turning point for Hungary's constitutional democracy.
Hungarian PM flags potential conflict of interest over former foreign minister’s move to BYD
Peter Szijjarto has extensive diplomatic ties with Russia and China developed during his time in government.
Poland's Żabka soars on report of Seven & i Holdings bid
Seven & i is reportedly considering acquiring a double-digit stake in Żabka, with the value of the investment estimated at several hundred billion yen.
EU opens financial misconduct probe into Czech PM Babiš
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal investigation into financial misconduct in connection with food, agriculture and chemical conglomerate Agrofert.
Russia prepares legal offensive against Baltic states over treatment of Russian minorities
Investigation reveals Moscow will accuse Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania of discriminating against ethnic Russians and Russian speakers in a case it plans to bring before the International Court of Justice.
EU population to decline from 2029, east-west demographic divide widens
European Commission report points to sustained population losses in the Baltic states, and parts of Bulgaria, Poland and Romania.
Anti-green Czech Motorists MP crashes car into ambulance
Honorary chairman of the anti-green Motorists for Themselves party Filip Turek becomes target of online mockery after collision at crossroads.
Hungarian MPs push through constitutional amendment removing President Tamas Sulyok
Constitutional overhaul backed by Tisza Party's supermajority is central to PM Peter Magyar's pledge to roll back the institutional legacy of Victor Orban's 16-year rule.
Former Lithuanian PM fitted with ankle tag in graft probe
Prosecutors suspect Saulius Skvernelis received around €51,000 in illegal payments in January-November 2025.
Protesters in Ljubljana demand Slovenia leave Nato
Ljubljana protest calls for Slovenia’s immediate withdrawal from Nato, sanctions against the US and Israel, and the redirection of military spending towards public services.
Fidesz stages first major rally in opposition against Tisza government's constitutional overhaul
Fidesz' first major street demonstration since losing power in April targeted the Tisza government's planned constitutional amendment aimed at removing President Tamas Sulyok from office.
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Czech PM Babiš rebuffs reports Trump was not keen to shake hands
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has countered reports that US President Donald Trump was not keen to shake hands with him after a group photo of Nato leaders at the summit in Ankara.
Trump pledges sanctions relief for Turkey as Erdogan hosts Nato summit in Ankara
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan uses Nato summit to advance a sweeping diplomatic agenda alongside his US counterpart Donald Trump.