Central Europe / Features
US tariffs could undermine Viktor Orban's dream of golden economic era with US
Hungary's heavily export-oriented, manufacturing-driven economy is among the more vulnerable EU member states in the transatlantic trade war, according to analysts.
Rule of law in EU deteriorates, with decline concentrated in eastern members
Liberties report finds collapse of democratic standards in Hungary, and strong deteriorations in Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Romania and Slovakia.
Southeast Europe erupts in weekend of protests
Protests in Serbia, Georgia and Hungary reflect mounting discontent over corruption and democratic backsliding, while Romanians turn out to show commitment to EU values in face of rising far right.
EU countries weigh costs of planned military buildup
What we know so far about EU member states’ plans to hike defence spending in face of "existential challenge" from Russia, and how this will be financed.
Can Emerging European countries afford to rearm?
As European countries face a pressing need to rearm amid fears the US may pull back from its security commitments, an EBRD report shows higher defence spending is already putting pressure on public finances.
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%.
Poland plans to spin-off state-owned coal assets as energy transformation plans slowly gather momentum
Poland's Ministry of State Assets will present a comprehensive plan for the spin-off of coal assets from state-owned power companies to Parliament on February 13, as the government's energy transformationd plans gather pace.
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.
“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.
Central and Eastern European banks defy expectations with robust 2024 earnings, says RBI
Banks across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe defied expectations and reported impressive returns on equity ranging between 15% and 20% in 2024, says Raiffeisen Bank International.
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.
Robust growth in Poland makes it increasingly immune to Germany's colds
There’s an old saw amongst macroeconomists: if Germany catches cold, the rest of the continent sneezes. But that is no longer true. The German economy has been hospitalised and all Poland is expected to suffer from is a case of the snuffles.
OUTLOOK Poland 2025
What is in store for Poland in 2025? bne IntelliNews’ annual OUTLOOK: Poland 2025
OUTLOOK Southeastern Europe 2025
What is in store for Southeastern Europe in 2025? bne IntelliNews’ annual OUTLOOK: Southeastern Europe 2025
Love in the Baltics in a time of war
The human twists of the war in Ukraine are gut-wrenching. For Lithuanian Aleksej Zanemanski it is an uphill battle for the right to live with his wife he loves unconditionally but who happens to be Russian.
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.
EU presidency passes from Putin-whispering Hungary to hawkish Poland
Poland will continue to advocate for continued support for Ukraine fighting Russian aggression, a policy that is expected to come under duress in the early months of Trump's presidency.