Central Europe / Features
EBRD lowers 2025 forecasts citing subdued global growth and trade fragmentation
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%.
Poland plans to spin-off state-owned coal assets as energy transformation plans slowly gather momentum
Poland's Ministry of State Assets will present a comprehensive plan for the spin-off of coal assets from state-owned power companies to Parliament on February 13, as the government's energy transformationd plans gather pace.
Europe's economic woes made worse by looming trade war with US, says Goldman Sachs
Cyclical industries across Europe are in danger from the economic slowdown sweeping Europe, Goldman Sachs warned in a note on February 4. They were already reeling from years of a polycrisis, but now President Trump is threatening a trade war.
“Unchained” Trump is main risk to broadly positive Emerging Europe growth prospects
Steep US tariffs on the EU or a sudden cut in support for Ukraine are the major downside risks for the region, says new wiiw report.
Central and Eastern European banks defy expectations with robust 2024 earnings, says RBI
Banks across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe defied expectations and reported impressive returns on equity ranging between 15% and 20% in 2024, says Raiffeisen Bank International.
Lack of megadeals drags down M&A volume in Emerging Europe
The number of deals in Central and Southeast Europe rose in 2024 but aggregate deal value fell by 31%, finds law firm CMS.
Robust growth in Poland makes it increasingly immune to Germany's colds
There’s an old saw amongst macroeconomists: if Germany catches cold, the rest of the continent sneezes. But that is no longer true. The German economy has been hospitalised and all Poland is expected to suffer from is a case of the snuffles.
OUTLOOK Poland 2025
What is in store for Poland in 2025? bne IntelliNews’ annual OUTLOOK: Poland 2025
OUTLOOK Southeastern Europe 2025
What is in store for Southeastern Europe in 2025? bne IntelliNews’ annual OUTLOOK: Southeastern Europe 2025
Love in the Baltics in a time of war
The human twists of the war in Ukraine are gut-wrenching. For Lithuanian Aleksej Zanemanski it is an uphill battle for the right to live with his wife he loves unconditionally but who happens to be Russian.
Emerging Europe split between eager anticipation and wary acceptance ahead of Trump inauguration
For some leaders in Central and Southeast Europe, the new Trump presidency is seen as a opportunity; for others it’s a challenge to navigate carefully.
EU presidency passes from Putin-whispering Hungary to hawkish Poland
Poland will continue to advocate for continued support for Ukraine fighting Russian aggression, a policy that is expected to come under duress in the early months of Trump's presidency.
PROFILE: Lorinc Meszaros, Hungary's most powerful oligarch
The Opus tycoon embodies the new business elite built by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's semi-authoritarian regime and has also come to symbolise crony capitalism.
Slovakia faces cut-off of Russian gas pipeline supplies
Robert Fico’s attacks on Kyiv for ending gas transit have more to do with his close political ties with Orban and Putin, the cosy business links Slovakia has with Russia, and his domestic political problems, rather than energy security.
FDI in Emerging Europe hit by geopolitical uncertainty and German slowdown
wiiw report warns lower investment trend could continue as Central and Eastern Europe's role as a production hub for Western companies is waning.
For the Baltic states, bigger defence spending may never be enough
The significant increase in the Baltic states’ defence spending is already starting to strain their economies.
Czechs choose the nuclear option
Given the huge cost of this nuclear drive, environmental and energy analysts warn that the investments will influence the shape of the entire Czech energy transformation.
Slovak coalition wobbles but will it fall down?
Robert Fico's populist government now has the slimmest possible majority of 76 legislators, raising speculation about early elections.
Emerging Europe winemakers sparkle as global wine production declines
Global production is set to fall 2% this year, but countries in Emerging Europe including Georgia, Hungary and Russia are bucking the trend, says the OIV.
Poor market conditions start to put Emerging Europe IPOs on hold
In the last few days it was announced that two planned IPOs in Central and Southeast Europe will be postponed, reflecting broader challenges in market conditions.