Central Europe / News
Hungary’s Masterplast in talks on refinancing debt after downgrade
Hungary's leading construction materials maker hit by Scope Ratings' downgrade, which was attributed to worsening credit metrics, driven by the prolonged weakness in the construction sector.
Czechia has sent military materiel worth €300mn to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion
But government faces criticism for not doing enough to cut the amount of Russian energy imports since the invasion.
Lithuanian president agrees to Social Democrat cabinet backed by populist party
President Gitanas Nauseda backs down and formally submits the nomination of Gintautas Paluckas as premier of left-leaning coalition.
Poland’s Tusk says 'telephone diplomacy' won’t work with Putin
Polish premier roasts German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his call with Russian dictator.
Hungarian state steps in to pay wages at steelmaker Dunaferr
Dunaferr is the second Liberty Steel operation in Central Europe to collapse.
Slovenia’s ex-foreign minister aims to capture centre ground with new party
Anze Logar launches Democrats as reports of instability in ruling coalition raise exceptions of snap general election in early 2025.
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Former Slovak president Kiska stripped of state pension
Presidential Office stops paying Kiska’s pension following court ruling over the costs of his 2014 presidential campaign when he beat Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Budapest to hold referendum on hosting 2036 Olympics Games
Opposition parties accuse Mayor Gergely Karacsony of reneging on his promise to oppose the games.
Slovak gas distributor SPP concludes pilot deal with Azerbaijan's SOCAR
SPP is looking at options to replace Russian gas brought by pipeline across Ukraine.
PPF mulling bid for United Group's telecom assets in Southeastern Europe
United Group’s telecoms assets in southeastern Europe have been put up for a potential sale.
Poland’s Tusk moots diplomatic offensive before Trump’s presidency
Poland’s key concern is Trump following through on his pledge to try to quickly end the war in Ukraine, which Warsaw is worried means forcing Ukraine to concede territories lost to Russia by cutting short military aid to Kyiv.
Hungarian opposition leader claims Fidesz is wiretapping him for black propaganda campaign
Peter Magyar said the ruling party would launch an unprecedented smear campaign against him this week, which will include wiretapped conversations of MEPs, secret recordings by his former girlfriend and false claims generated by AI.
Lithuania's Social Democrats set to form coalition with radical right
President Gitanas Nauseda said previously he would not accept a coalition including The Dawn of the River Neman party, whose leader has been accused of making anti-semitic comments.
EU leaders gauge impact of Trump’s return at Budapest ECP summit
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to embrace "strategic autonomy" in the wake of Trump's victory, advocating for a Europe less reliant on American military protection.
Poland’s government says it is ready to work with 'controversial' Trump
Warsaw is worried that Trump is capable of making abrupt decisions that would end the West’s involvement in Ukraine.
Erdogan urges full inclusion of Turkey in EU defence efforts
With second largest land forces in Nato, Ankara may have an ace in efforts to join European bloc if Trump takes US on isolationist path.
Studenac aims to raise €80mn with dual listing in Warsaw and Zagreb
Croatia-based retailer outlines IPO plans as it pursues aggressive regional growth.
Orban calls Trump’s return to the White House one of the greatest comebacks in Western political history
We have big plans for the future," tweets Hungarian populist premier.
Hungary says it has attracted €24bn in battery-related investments since 2016
Hungarian FDI promotion agency says Eastern Opening policy has helped make Hungary a "meeting point" between West and East.
Poland’s President Duda rushes to congratulate Trump
Polish populist right hopes that Trump’s return to the presidency will give them a boost to win the presidential election next year.