Central Europe / News

Slovak foreign minister culls diplomatic staff

Albin Sybera December 2, 2024

The move is seen as part of the left-right government's reorientation of the country’s foreign policy from a staunch backer of Ukraine to a Kremlin-pleasing stance.

Poland’s insurance giant PZU to sell Alior Bank stake to Bank Pekao

Wojciech Kosc in Warsaw December 2, 2024

PZU will use the estimated €820mn from the sale for its core operations.

Charges may be dropped against scandal-hit Slovak central bank governor

Albin Sybera December 2, 2024

But new scandal breaks over French villa bought by girlfriend with oligarch's cash.

Moody's changes outlook on Hungary sovereign rating to negative

Tamas Csonka in Budapest December 2, 2024

Likely continued freeze of EU funds and the weak external environment blamed for weaker outlook.

Varga to lead Hungarian central bank from spring 2025

Tamas Csonka in Budapest December 2, 2024

Finance Minister Mihaly Varga heads for MNB, while Economy Minister Marton Nagy is to lead a new super ministry in charge of finance, economic policy and state development.

Kretinsky close to Royal Mail deal after concessions to UK government

bne IntelliNews November 29, 2024

These include maintaining deliveries of letters six days per week and parcels Monday to Friday, and keeping the brand name and Royal Mail headquarters and tax residency in the UK for the next five years.

Studenac cancels planned €80mn IPO citing unfavourable market conditions

bne IntelliNews November 28, 2024

Croatia's largest food retailer by store count had planned to list on the Zagreb and Warsaw stock exchanges.

Poland’s Orlen sank €1.2bn in Olefins 3 project under PiS government

Wojciech Kosc in Warsaw November 28, 2024

Audit identifies significant financial mismanagement in state-owned enterprises under previous government.

Hungarian debate on euro adoption resurfaces as forint weakens further

Tamas Csonka in Budapest November 28, 2024

The forint is on track to take the title of the worst-performing regional currency once again, extending a long-trend in place since Viktor Orban took power in 2010.

Fico boasts about Putin’s invitation to Moscow Victory Day Parade

Albin Sybera in Bratisava November 28, 2024

Slovak populist premier's visit will be only the third by a leader of an EU member state since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Tusk calls for unity against Russia, proposes Baltic Sea policing mission

Wojciech Kosc in Warsaw November 28, 2024

Polish premier's proposal follows recent severing of undersea communication cables linking Finland to Germany and Sweden to Lithuania.

US Vista shareholders approve sale of Kinetic to Czechoslovak Group

Albin Sybera November 27, 2024

CSG says with Kinetic it will become the largest producer of small calibre ammunition in the world.

Hungary becomes top destination for Chinese investments in Europe

Tamas Csonka in Budapest November 27, 2024

Last year, 44% of all Chinese investments in Europe flowed into Hungary.

Hungary's bid to advance Serbia's EU accession stalls

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade November 25, 2024

Hungary is a steadfast supporter of Serbia’s EU aspirations but failed to secure backing for a proposal to open Cluster 3 of Serbia's accession talks.

Czech real estate tycoon ringfences €537mn of assets after Cypriot court ruling

bne IntelliNews November 25, 2024

Two convicted Czech fraudsters claim Radovan Vitek swindled them out of their secret investment in his Frankfurt-listed CPI Property Group.

Czechia won’t pursue prolonging EU exemption on Russian oil imports ban

Albin Sybera November 25, 2024

But neighbouring Hungary and Slovakia, which have made less effort to diversify their oil supplies, want exemption to be prolonged.

Polish presidential race off the starting blocks as two main parties announce candidates

Wojcich Kosc in Warsaw November 25, 2024

Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski (Civic Coalition) appears poised to meet historian Karol Nawrock (PiS) in the run-off vote to elect Poland’s new president next year.

Austria agrees to lift veto on full Schengen accession for Bulgaria and Romania

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia November 22, 2024

Austria has pledged to lift its veto at the EU Council meeting in December, giving Bulgaria and Romania full membership of the border-free zone.

Fidesz redraws electoral districts in overnight decree

Tamas Csonka in Budapest November 22, 2024

Viktor Orban's Fidesz gerrymanders electoral districts as opinion polls show it falling behind Peter Magyar's Tisza party for first time.

Slovak government wants to launch new nuclear tender in 2027

Albin Sybera November 21, 2024

The nuclear reactor would be located at the existing Jaslovske Bohunice nuclear power plant site, which already has two reactors, and is projected to cost €10bn.

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