Central East Europe / Opinion

Magyar's constitutional overhaul tests Hungary's path from Orbán era

bne IntelliNews July 18, 2026

OSW analysts say PM Péter Magyar's sweeping constitutional changes aimed at restoring the rule of law relied "on tools similar to those for which Fidesz was criticised for years".

RAGOZIN: Ukraine’s history row with Poland threatens its EU path

Leonid Ragozin in Riga July 2, 2026

The two countries have long been on a collision course over their differing interpretations of WWII history, but why did the clash happen now?

ORYNBAYEV: EU must trim Commission to strengthen global competitiveness

Yerbol Orynbayev in London June 22, 2026

If the last twelve months have taught the European Union anything, it is that it must now stand on its own two feet. As economic pressures mount in an increasingly polarized world order, the EU must breathe new life into its struggling businesses.

BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: EU Parliament is having a laugh again. Sanctions gun turns to Turkish justice minister Gurlek

Akin Nazli in Belgrade June 14, 2026

Routinely ignored, the European legislature acts as if it carries some weight in Turkish affairs. Spare us, please.

COMMENT: Europe risks becoming a ‘vassal’ unless it relearns power politics, Sciences Po chief warns

bne IntelliNews June 3, 2026

Europe is in a historic decline that threatens its economic model, political autonomy and global influence, and lacks the intellectual framework needed to reverse the trend, according to the head of France's elite Sciences Po university.

EU’s foreign policy boss Kallas is undermining Europe’s credibility

Ben Aris in Berlin May 22, 2026

Kaja Kallas has done it again. The EU’s top foreign policy high representative called China a “cancer” that needs decisive treatment with chemotherapy rather than temporary relief with morphine.

ASH: UK cocks up on Russian sanctions

Tim Ash of BlueBay Asset Management May 21, 2026

At the least a PR disaster for the UK around its Russia sanctions regime. At the worst the UK has been pushed by Trump’s war on Iran to easing up sanctions on Russia.

Why global population collapse will keep the wars coming

IntelliNews editorial desk April 29, 2026

Demographers warned for decades that ageing, declining states grow more dangerous, not less. The wars now spreading from Eastern Europe to the Gulf to East Asia look increasingly like the opening engagements of a long contest over who outlasts whom.

Inconsistent messaging on Turkey shows EU cannot pretend to be geopolitical power, says analyst

IntelliNews Turkey desk April 29, 2026

Gaffe or not, remarks from European Commision president played into hands of Turkish politicians who want Ankara to pursue closer ties with Moscow and Beijing.

Hungary’s new leader unlikely to shift EU stance on Russia and Ukraine dramatically

bne IntelliNews April 22, 2026

Expectations that Budapest will pivot sharply away from Russia and back a more assertive European Union policy on Ukraine post-election may prove misplaced, says commentary by Carnegie Politika.

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