Poland
European election in Poland a warm-up ahead of national vote
Political parties have been doing their utmost to rally voters for the Sunday vote in hope that a good result will set off a wave on which they will ride to a victorious night this autumn, when the national election takes place.
Polish retail sales rebound in April
The pick-up owes to the calendar effect, with sales spiking because of Easter but also to Polish households’ general inclination towards increased consumption, driven by the good situation on the labour market – low unemployment and growing wages.
Polish industrial production growth takes off in April
The headline figure attests to the Polish industrial sector’s stubbornness to give in to negative trends in the external environment, especially the slowdown of activity in Germany, Poland's largest trading partner.
Poland’s leading newspaper accuses PM Morawiecki of shady real estate deal
The revelation comes only a few days before the election to the European Parliament, which the fiercely anti-government newspaper hopes the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) will lose.
Political fighting intensifies in Poland as film documenting Catholic clergy's abuse of kids goes viral to millions
The film’s skyrocketing popularity has forced political leaders take positions on the issue as the campaign for the European Parliament elections heats up.
COMMENT: Technology can reduce the global plastic pollution problem
Annual global production of plastics has increased dramatically, from 15mn metric tons in 1964 to over 350mn metric tons now, however, a new technology can break down polymers and effectively recycle them
VISEGRAD BLOG: Poland shocked by film documenting Catholic clergy’s sexual abuse of children
“Just Don’t Tell Anyone” neared 6mn views just 36 hours after its premiere on YouTube, shaking up Poland's political landscape ahead of the European Parliament elections.
European Council head Donald Tusk wades into Polish politics ahead of key vote
Tusk warns against fuelling “political civil war” amid speculation about his return to domestic politics to lead the opposition’s charge against PiS.
COMMENT: Chinese engagement in CESEE: paper dragons and false inevitabilities?
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is no less than an attempt by the Chinese to reshape the international order, but it has acted as a strategic opportunist and has no clear development plan.
Poland leads CEE charge against “centralised” and “multi-speed” EU
Warsaw wants the EU to devolve more powers to national governments and opposes deeper integration of some – mostly Western – member states in specific policy areas.
15 years on from 2004 wave of EU accessions, convergence but a patchy overall record for CEE countries
15 years after eight CEE states entered the EU, there have been significant economic gains, but in recent years this has been accompanied by a backsliding on democratic reforms.
Arming and rearming: Military spending grows across CEE and SEE in 2018
Russia’s expenditure falls for a second year, even though Moscow fears are driving defence outlays elsewhere. Turkey committed a league-topping 24% more while Iran spent 9.5% less on its armed forces as US tightened economic noose.