Central Europe / News
Emerging Europe’s Ukraine critics unleashed by Trump’s attack on Zelenskiy
Leaders of Bulgaria, Georgia and Hungary back Trump in row with Ukrainian president and slam Europe's handling of the war.
Viktor Orban urges EU to start direct talks with Russia on Ukraine
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on the European Union to begin direct talks with Russia on ending the conflict in Ukraine, a move that highlights growing divisions within the bloc over its approach to the war.
Hungary moves to ban Pride March with constitutional amendment
Hungary's government is seeking to ban the annual Budapest Pride March by amending the country’s Fundamental Law (Constitution), a move that legal experts describe as an "unconstitutional absurdity."
State financing of Paks NPP expansion in jeopardy after CJEU advisor sides with Austria
The European Union Court of Justice may overturn a previous ruling that upheld the European Commission’s approval of Hungary’s state aid for the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant.
Europe will need Turkey in world with less or no Nato says foreign minister
Ankara has second largest land forces in military bloc. Turkish officials leverage the point in effort at obtaining long-sought EU membership.
Hungary seeks to remove three Russian oligarchs from EU sanctions list, reports RFE/RL
The Russian investigative unit of Radio Free Europe, Systema, has published the names of Russian individuals Hungary seeks to remove from the EU sanctions list.
S&P warns of significant fiscal impact from Hungarian government's pre-election tax cuts
S&P Global Ratings warned that the government's measures of extending PIT exemptions to families and increasing welfare spending before the 2026 elections pose serious economic risks.
Relief in Emerging Europe at AfD’s election defeat, but concern over party's gains
Mainstream politicians across Central and Southeast Europe have expressed relief at the outcome of Germany's general election, which saw the far-right Alternative for Germany make gains but ultimately fall short of securing victory.
Hungarian judges demonstrate for freedom of judiciary
Thousands of judges and court workers held a demonstration in Budapest on February 22 for the freedom of the judiciary, organised by the Hungarian Judiciary Association (MABIE).
Hungary set to block extension of EU sanctions against Russia, citing peace talks
Hungary will not vote in favour of extending sanctions against Russian and Belarusian individuals at the upcoming meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council, arguing that it would hinder US-Russian peace talks.
Potential US troop withdrawal from Europe to leave Kosovo exposed
Fears US may consider withdrawing its troops from Europe, including Kosovo, if Trump and Putin reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
EU endorses Hungary's revised medium-term fiscal plan
The European Council has endorsed Hungary's medium-term budgetary plan, which outlines a path for deficit reduction but reflects a more cautious economic outlook, National Economy Minister Marton Nagy announced after the Ecofin meeting.
EU Parliament joins lawsuit against Hungary over controversial Sovereignty Law
The European Parliament legal committee voted on February 18 to join the lawsuit against Hungary in the European Court of Justice regarding the controversial sovereignty protection law adopted in late 2023.
Leader of far-right SNS offers to give up party's ministries to keep Slovakia’s ruling coalition together
Populist Prime Minister Robert Fico's left-right coalition has been scrabbling for votes after three rebel legislators quit the SNS parliamentary grouping.
Ukrainian drone strikes Kazakhstan’s main oil export pipeline route in Russia
Attack comes on same day Hungarian and Kazakh top diplomats back idea of Ukraine conflict talks between Putin and Trump.
Poland’s Tusk warns European allies against making “empty promises” to Ukraine again
Europe must not make “empty promises” on security to Ukraine again, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters on February 17 just before flying to Paris for an emergency meeting of key European allies.
Hungarian e-commerce platforms falling behind regional peers on local turf
The Hungarian e-commerce market grew by 15% to HUF1.92 trillion (€4.8bn) in 2024, while sales generated by Hungarian and EU-based retailers increased at a slower pace, rising 10% to HUF1.6 trillion.
Hungary's opposition leader kicks off campaign at Tisza Party’s first congress with sweeping reform pledges
Peter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza Party, delivered a scathing critique of the current political establishment and presented some clues to his party's election programme, with a focus on tackling the cost-of-living crisis.
Poland navigates alliance with US amid Trump’s diplomatic shake-up
Poland reaffirmed the long-standing commitment to its alliance with the United States as newly appointed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Warsaw on February 14 – his first bilateral trip since taking office.
Poland to play key role in EU Paris meeting to counter Trump’s Ukraine talks exclusion
Poland was the poor second cousin to its EU peers when it first joined the EU two decades ago. But a flourishing economy, its frontline position and growing military might means it’s been promoted to the top table in EU affairs.