Czech Republic
ING: Czech economy falls by less than previously feared in 1Q
The preliminary GDP figure for the first quarter surprised on the upside. The economy fell just 0.3% quarter on quarter, with pandemic restrictions being in place throughout the quarter.
Bulgaria expels Russian diplomat over Moscow’s alleged involvement in weapons explosions
The foreign ministry in Sofia urged Moscow to cooperate with the Bulgarian prosecution's investigation into the explosions and the poisoning of Bulgarian arms dealer Emilian Gebrev.
Willingness to be vaccinated rises sharply in Emerging Europe
However, in most countries the numbers of those vaccinated or willing to be vaccinated are still less than 70%, with Southeast Europe closer to 40%.
EC will investigate possible Czech breach of rule of law over conflict of interest
Prague could join Hungary and Poland and risk losing EU funds under new rule of law mechanism because of Babis' continuing control of agro-chemical conglomerate.
Czech President Milos Zeman casts doubt on Russian involvement in arms depot explosion
Pro-Russian president accused of confusing the government's message to its Nato and EU allies.
EU Commission rules that Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has conflict of interest
Billionaire's conglomerate blocked from receiving investment subsidies and may have to repay aid received since 2017.
Czechs to cut number of Russian diplomats in Prague to same as they have in Moscow
Prague expels 63 staff from Russian Embassy as tit-for-tat expulsions escalate.
Czechs give ultimatum to Russia to let expelled diplomats return to Moscow
Prague threatens to cut Russian Embassy to just five diplomats in escalation of the country's worst row with Moscow since the Velvet Revolution.
Czechia and Slovakia recorded the highest excess mortality rates in the EU in February
Slovakia's death toll increased by 65% compared to the average level between 2016 and 2019, while Czechia posted a 40% growth in excess mortality amid severe wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
VISEGRAD BLOG: Czech President Zeman's pro-Russian policy blows up in his face
The tit-for-tat expulsion of Russian and Czech diplomats has dynamited the Czech president's drive to build bridges with Moscow just as he thought he was about to clinch victory.
Czechia expels 18 alleged agents from Russian embassy after accusing Kremlin of causing explosion
Attack on Czech arms cache in 2014 killed two and led to the evacuation of a wide area.
M&A hits €8.5bn in CEE in Q1, says Mergermarket
Trend towards bigger deals and more fund investment continues, as deal value rises by half to give best Q1 since 2013.
UEFA´s 'unfair' punishment of Czech football player raises furore among fans and politicians
Row demonstrates the wide gulf that exists between attitudes towards racist behaviour in Western Europe compared to the newer CEE member states.
wiiw raises 2021 CEE growth forecast to 3.8%
But pandemic has delayed restart of convergence with Western Europe until 2023.
Czech foreign minister fired after failed bid for Social Democrat leadership
Struggling Czech Social Democrats sack liberal Tomas Petricek and reject alliance with Greens, in conservative shift before general election.
Czech premier fires third health minister since beginning of pandemic
Andrej Babis sacrifices another scapegoat as his government struggles to handle one of the worst COVID-19 epidemics in Europe and his poll ratings continue to slide.
CEE reels as third wave of COVID-19 breaks
A third wave of the coronavirus pandemic is sweeping through Emerging Europe. While Russia is expecting to reach herd immunity in the next two months, most other countries of the region have only just started their mass immunisation programmes.
IKEA’s New Europe Empire
Getting an IKEA store is a good guide to how developed a country is. And the Swedish furniture store has an uncanny knack for opening their yellow and blue stores exactly at the beginning of a country's rapid growth phase.
Air Bank poised to fly to top of Czech banking
Merger with Moneta Money Bank still going ahead, says CEO of digital bank, despite death of owner Petr Kellner.
OBITUARY: Petr Kellner, Central Europe's great dealmaker
Czech billionaire financier dies in helicopter crash, raising questions over the future of his diversified PPF Group.
