Slovakia
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Slovak unemployment inches up to 3.92% in January
The unemployment level in Slovakia (PDU indicator) continued to inch upward in January to 3.92% after it inched up to 3.81% in December. Unemployment dropped year on year by 0.05 percentage points.
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%.
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.
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.
Progressive Slovakia maintains lead as Fico pushes to keep his coalition together
The largest opposition party, centrist Progressive Slovakia, is maintaining its lead (24.6%) in the latest poll, by NMS Market Research, ahead of populist Smer.
Slovak populist PM Fico congratulates Musk on dismantling USAID
Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico has congratulated Elon Musk on dismantling the United States Agency for International Development and called on Musk to share information with him about USAID funding in Slovakia.
Mass protests against Slovak Fico’s cabinet continue as PM holds on to his conspiracies
Mass protests against the pro-Kremlin turn of Slovakia’s left-right cabinet of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico continued after 42-45,000 rallied in Bratislava alone on Friday, February 7.
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.
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Slovak industry slumps by 0.7% y/y in 2024
Slovakia’s industrial output fell by 0.7% year on year in 2024 after registering a mild drop of 0.1% y/y and an increase of 1.1% month on month in December.
“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.
Slovak government bars Georgian military vets, Prime Minister Fico links them to a coup plot against him
The Slovak government banned a Georgian military volunteer from entering the country as Prime Minister Robert Fico claimed conspirators were planning to oust him in a coup d'état as he seeks to distract the public from a mounting political crisis.
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.
Slovakia's political crisis deepens, PM Fico accuses Czech politicians and media of meddling with Slovak internal affairs
Fico claims “a coup” is taking place against his government involving the opposition, NGOs and “funding from abroad”.
Protests against Fico’s pro-Kremlin turn intensify across Slovakia
The intensification of the pro-Kremlin turn of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico drew the largest crowd of demonstrators to the streets of the Slovak capital Bratislava since protests against Fico's Smer party-led cabinet began in late 2023.
President Pellegrini calls situation in Slovakia “serious” in wake of country-wide protests, PM Fico coup plot claims
Slovakia’s President Peter Pellegrini said the situation in the country is “serious” following a security council meeting called after populist Prime Robert Fico claimed a plot to overthrow his government is taking place.
COMMENT: Europe needs to start the fightback against Trump now
The European centre-right is facilitating the populist attack on liberal democracy.
Analysts expect ‘perfect storm’ of political risks in 2025
Global political risk is set to intensify in 2025 with international trade becoming a geopolitical battleground after Trump’s return to office, said Verisk Maplecroft analysts.
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.
Slovakia’s populist PM Fico faces no-confidence motion
Slovakia’s opposition parties united to file a no-confidence motion against the populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on January 14.
Slovakia’s Fico steps up anti-Ukraine rhetoric over gas cut-off
Slovak premier threatens to veto Ukraine votes at EU level.