Slovakia
Czech Airlines dispatches its last flight, ending 101 years of company history
Czech Airlines is now incorporated into local operator Smartwings.
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Unemployment in Slovakia inches down to 3.83% in September
The unemployment level in Slovakia inched down to 3.83% in September. This is down by 0.04 percentage points month on month and by 0.15 pp year on year.
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Slovak GDP growth improves after revision to 3.3% in 1Q and 2% in 2Q 2024
Slovakia’s gross domestic product growth was revised to 3.3% in the first quarter (up from 2.7%) and to 2% in the second quarter (up from 1.9%) of this year.
Slovakia settles dispute with Czech populist ex-PM Babis over his communist-era secret service collaboration
Dispute dates back to 2012, when Babis sued Slovakia’s Nation’s Memory Institute, insisting that he had not collaborated with the secret service.
VISEGRAD BLOG: Is illiberalism here to stay in Central Europe?
Several countries in Central Europe have gone a long way down the road of illiberalism, moving away from the practices of established democracies.
Central and Southeastern Europe defies German economic weakness
The wiiw autumn forecast warns that not all of the recession in the German automotive industry has so far been felt in Central Europe and further difficulties should be expected.
Don't hold your breath for Central Europe to give up Russian oil any time soon
Hungary and Slovakia’s reluctance to quit Russian oil is consistent with their broader defence of continued economic ties with Russia.
Journalist associations condemn interrogation of Czech reporter by Slovak authorities
Questioning seen as part of a wider campaign of harassment against investigative journalists covering Slovakia.
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Slovak industry maintains growth of 0.9% y/y in August
Slovakia’s industrial output increased by 0.9% year on year and by 1.5% month on month carried by strong performance in the energy sector. It is the fourth month of y/y growth in the country’s industry.
NBS cuts Slovak economic forecast after government consolidation package
Growth outlook cut to 2.5% this year and next, while inflation projected to hit 5% next year.
Slovakia's Fico hardens opposition to Ukraine's Nato bid
Fico also said he would like to visit Moscow next year to “thank the liberators”.
Europe needs Draghi’s reforms to boost growth, says IIF
Europe has a significant lag in productivity growth compared to the United States and China. Despite similar levels of spending, Europe is falling behind.
Opposition ANO registers first victory in Czech Senate elections as cabinet braces for reshuffle
ANO beat PM Petr Fiala's neoliberal ODS, which took just five seats.
LONG READ: Europe has lost its competitive edge
In the first year of the war in Ukraine the lights started to go out across Europe as the consequences of cutting off Russian trade and gas began to kick in. Now the malaise has spread. Europe has fallen behind the US and being caught up by the EMs.
EBRD lowers Emerging Europe growth forecasts amid economic challenges
Development bank expects 2.8% growth across its region of operations in 2024, rising to 3.5% in 2025.
Central Europe needs a revamped industrial policy to escape middle-income trap, says wiiw
Think-tank recommends eastern EU members follow examples set by Ireland and Singapore.
Slovak cabinet unveils €2.7bn in cost-cutting measures
Package is designed to cut the budget deficit to under 5% of GDP in 2025 from 5.9% this year.
COMMENT: Look beyond the Ukraine war and CEE's fundamentals couldn’t be stronger
When the fighting stops, the region will serve as a gateway to the trillions of euros in trade and investment that will flow towards reconstructing Ukraine.
Slovak ruling coalition removes opposition leader from parliamentary post
It is the first time in the history of the Slovak National Council that an opposition leader has been removed from the post of one of the vice chairs of the parliament.
Former Lithuanian premier Andrius Kubilius appointed first EU defence commissioner
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has appointed former Lithuanian premier Andrius Kubilius to coordinate Brussels' military stand on Ukraine.