Central Europe / News
Poles rally against ‘Polexit’ as prospect of pandemic recovery funds fade
Protests follow ruling by the Constitutional Tribunal that the Treaty of the European Union contravenes the Polish Constitution.
Czech centre-right poised to take power after convincing election win
Billionaire populist Andrej Babis loses majority after his Social Democrat allies and the hardline Communists fail to enter parliament.
Hungary’s primary race takes new twist as Budapest mayor announces withdrawal
Polls show that frontrunner Klara Dobrev could become Hungary’s first serious female candidate for premier if it remains a three-person race, but the race could be a cliffhanger now she is running against one challenger.
Main Czech TV debate is a turn-off for voters on eve of general election
Prime Minister Andrej Babis remains the bookie's favourite but the outcome will depend on which small parties get into parliament.
Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal says Polish law trumps EU’s
The ruling is the most serious swipe by Poland at the EU’s legal order that Warsaw had subscribed to when joining the bloc in 2004 after years of negotiations.
EU’s top court delivers another blow to Polish government’s judiciary overhaul
Judge wins case against his transfer at CJEU, which says government's reforms damage judicial independence.
Poland’s central bank unexpectedly hikes rates by 40 bps to 0.5%
Polish rate setters belatedly follow lead of Czech and Hungarian neighbours in reacting to rising inflation in Central Europe.
Hungarian opposition’s primary run-off tainted by rows and backroom deals
New poll shows that conservative mayor Marki-Zay is closing the gap on Klara Dobrev and is now the second most popular candidate among opposition voters.
Czech police to investigate allegations in Pandora Papers against Prime Minister Andrej Babis
Premier bought French chateau through secret loan from offshore companies but denies tax evasion.
New OCCRP Pandora Papers leak reveals more details of secret financial networks of New Europe’s elite
A new leak of millions of documents dubbed the Pandora Papers has revealed more details of the use of offshore companies by the elite of New Europe, detailing their ownership of hundreds of millions of dollars of assets.
Latest poll before Czech general election shows potential stalemate
Prime Minister Andrej Babis embarrassed by Panama Papers disclosure that he acquired French chateau through offshore companies.
Dobrev could face uphill battle in Hungary's opposition run-off
Third placed candidate Marky-Zay and Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony will decide next week which of them should withdraw to give the other a clear run against Dobrev.
Poland extends state of emergency on border with Belarus until end of November
Government weaponises refugees as threat to Poles, while opposition accuses it of violating international law by not allowing them to file for protection.
Czech central bank hikes interest rates to 1.5%
Bank board defies government by raising rates by 75 bps, the largest increase in 24 years.
Klara Dobrev wins first round of historic Hungarian opposition primary but run-off could be nailbiter
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony and independent Peter Marki-Zayare also set to make the cut to be opposition candidate to face Hungarian strongman Viktor Orban.
Lithuania reinstates face mask wearing indoors, advises working remotely
Lithuania is the first Central European country to resort to tightening the public health rules as infections rise amid the fourth wave of the pandemic.
Hungarian opposition leaders clash in second televised debate
Debate took place as opposition parties are holding the country’s first-ever primary to select candidates for 106 constituencies and pick their leader to challenge Hungary’s strongman Viktor Orban.
Poland records 130,000 excess deaths in past 12 months as pandemic deepens demographic crisis
The government’s flagship welfare programme, the universal payout of €109 monthly per every child under 18, has not resulted in any sustained increase in the number of births.
Poland’s PM skips regional summit to snub Czech premier Babis over mine row
Poland reportedly plans to suspend cooperation with Czechia in the Visegrad Group until the mine’s case has been resolved in an amicable way.
Czech president released from hospital after alleged convalescent stay
Milos Zeman´s health is all the more important now when the general elections are approaching, as it is the president who nominates the head of the winning party to form a new government.
