Far-right Simion wins first round of Romania’s presidential rerun, to face Bucharest mayor in runoff vote
Far-right leader George Simion surged to a clear lead in the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun, taking 40.9% of...
Czechia delinks from Russian oil after 60 years
Czechia has halted imports of Russian crude oil delivered via the Druzhba pipelinefor the first time in 60 years, Czech Prime...
Estonia climbs to second in global press freedom rankings, Czechia makes top ten
Estonia has surged to second place in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, its best-ever result and the highest ranking among...
Bosnia’s EU accession requires pro-EU coalition – high representative
The EU can formally begin accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) when a stable and pro-European coalition has been formed,...
Lowest OECD tax burdens in Slovakia, Poland
Workers in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) enjoy some of the lowest personal income tax rates in Europe, with Slovakia and...
Polish PM declares national strategy to lead CEE, as nation celebrates 1,000th anniversary
Poland has launched a new national doctrine aimed at establishing the country as the dominant military and economic power in Central...
Baltic states ramp up air, missile defences
The Baltic states are stepping up their air, missile and drone defence capabilities, as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania invest in new...
Prague expands airport, revamps tram service
Prague has launched two major transport infrastructure projects, expanding Vaclav Havel Airport and introducing a new generation of trams to modernise...
Polish bourse WIG index tops 100,000 points in historic first
Poland’s main stock market index, the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WIG), closed above 100,000 points for the first time this week, signalling...
Single market is not single, and it’s costing us all
The EU’s internal market is still falling short of its founding promise. Despite decades of integration, consumers across member states face...
Slovenia mulls French, US bids for nuclear project
Slovenia is at the centre of a strategic struggle between France and the US, as both nations seek to secure a...
Poland tops employment rankings – OECD report
The EU’s employment rate reached a record high of 70.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Organisation for...
Greece plans to repay Eurozone’s bailout loans whole decade in advance
Greece has announced plans to repay its first bailout loans a decade ahead of schedule, in a move that officials say...
CEE economies tougher than you may think – ING
Despite their export-driven economies and strong manufacturing bases, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries may be more resilient to global trade...
CEE leaders weigh in on security, expansion, energy at Antalya forum
Attendees from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) nations including Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova and others discussed policy priorities...
CEE leads EU raw materials drive as EU selects strategic mining projects
The European Commission (EC) has chosen 47 strategic projects across the EU to reduce critical raw material dependency, with Czechia, Estonia,...
Trump tariffs split EU as Hungary seeks exemption
Hungary has broken ranks with the EU in response to the US's new tariffs policy, as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban...
Foot-and-mouth sees culls, CEE border closures
An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has prompted mass animal culls and tightened border controls across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)....
Far-right candidate leads in polls ahead of Romania presidential election rerun
Romania will hold fresh presidential elections on 4 May, after its Constitutional Court annulled November's vote, citing Russian interference. However, the...
CEE markets plunge on Trump tariffs shock
Stock markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) fell sharply after US President Donald Trump announced retaliatory tariffs on global imports...
Vucic names academic as PM candidate, as demonstrators take protest to Strasbourg
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic nominated political newcomer Duro Macut, a 62-year-old endocrinologist and university professor, to serve as the country’s next...
Krakow layoffs reflect broader shift to AI, automation in CEE
The city of Krakow, south Poland, saw nearly 1,900 group layoffs in the first quarter of 2025, almost equalling the total...
Serbia, Hungary deepen defence, energy ties
When Croatia, Albania and Kosovo recently formed a new military alliance, Serbia and Hungary followed suit, reshaping the security situation in...
CEE auto, steel at sharp end of Trump tariffs
US President Donald Trump’s new raft of global tariffs threatens to hammer the export-driven economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE),...
CEE startups outpace Western Europe rivals
Startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are growing faster than in Western Europe and the CEE startup ecosystem is now...
Trump’s time bomb just exploded – oped
Trying to figure out the rationale behind Trump’s “trade revolution”? Don’t bother, there isn’t one. It is rooted in delusion, yet...
Trump-Putin detente could revive Nord Stream 2
The US and Russia are discussing the potential reopening of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, raising significant concerns across Europe,...
Dodik dodges arrest warrant, surfaces in Moscow
Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik announced that he had arrived in Moscow on Monday 31 March, after Bosnia and Herzegovina...
US soldiers die during Lithuania training exercise
A total of three US soldiers were found dead while a fourth remains missing after their armoured recovery vehicle became submerged...
Europe’s trilemma: rearmament, green transition, competitiveness
European leaders met in Brussels on 20 March to confront a mounting policy dilemma: how to balance rearmament, the green transition,...
EU probes Hungarian subsidies to BYD under new foreign subsidies rules
The European Commission (EC) has launched an inquiry into state support provided by Hungary to Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD,...
Croatia eyes Russia’s share in Serbian oil firm NIS
Croatian Economy Minister Ante Susnjar said state-owned oil pipeline operator Jadranski Naftovod (Janaf) could acquire Russia’s stake in Serbian oil company...
Gender pay gaps remain in CEE, despite EU efforts
Romania and Poland have gender pay disparities among the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat data published this month. In...
‘We always choose the best and fastest method for acquiring ammunition’ – Estonia defends policy
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur pushed back on Tuesday against criticism of the country’s joint ammunition procurement strategy, defending multilateral arrangements...
Historic demo in Belgrade rocks Vucic gov’t
Crowds flooded the streets of the Serbian capital of Belgrade on Saturday, 15 March, in the largest demonstration of the recent...
Poland, Czechia back ‘coalition of the willing’, Hungary, Slovakia align with Trump
As political landscapes shift across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), governments are recalibrating their approaches to Ukraine, European security, and internal...
CEE to get four AI factories under EU initiative
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is set to play a key role in the EU’s push to establish itself as a...
Poland’s GDP to grow by 3.7%, CEE by 2.6%
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is set for stronger economic growth in 2025, with GDP expected to expand by 2.6%, according...
Poland leads CEE’s rearmament charge, as Trump cools on NATO
Poland is set to purchase an additional 180 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks for approximately USD 6.2bn (EUR 5.7bn), South...
Moldova, North Macedonia join harmonised European payments system SEPA
Moldova and North Macedonia have been approved to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), marking a significant step in their...
Microsoft, Google invest big in Polish cloud, AI infrastructure, skilling, cybersecurity
Poland is rapidly emerging as a key hub for technological innovation and investment in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), attracting major...
Romania probes pro-Russian presidential candidate as six arrested for coup plot
Romanian authorities are investigating far-right, pro-Russian politician Calin Georgescu over allegations of working against the constitutional order, spreading misinformation and supporting...
Trump’s verbal attack on Zelenskyy prompts security rethink in CEE
The dramatic breakdown of relations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance on...
Austria coalition ends five months of limbo
Austria’s centre-right People’s Party (OVP), centre-left Social Democrats (SPO) and centrist, liberal NEOs have now finalised a coalition pact after a...
Dodik ban from public office sparks protests in BiH
Republika Srpska (RS) president Milorad Dodik is once again at the centre of political turmoil in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) after...
Ukraine, Slovakia ranked most bureaucratic countries
Except for wartorn Ukraine, Slovakia has the most red tape in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), according to the latest Bureaucracy...
Trump’s self-defeating trade war with Europe – opinion
US President Donald Trump underscored this week that he intends to impose 25% tariffs on EU imports, reinforcing his claim that...
Zelenskyy gathers support from CEE leaders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on European leaders to step up their efforts towards peace in Ukraine during a string of...
Austrian mainstream parties edge towards coalition after attempt of pro-Putin party fails
The centre-right People’s Party (OVP) and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPO) are working behind closed doors on a coalition deal that...
Pro-Russian protestors set fire to EU office in Sofia, as Bulgaria nears eurozone
As Bulgaria edges closer to the Eurozone, some 1,000 protestors gathered outside the National Bank headquarters waving banners and placards proclaiming...
Ukraine will never join EU – Orban
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban described 2025 as a “breakthrough year” when he set out his government’s agenda for the coming...
A Trumping new reality – CET opinion
One of the most disappointing characteristics of our 21st Century is that while we live in a high-tech world, billions are...
Poland PM urges defence spending hikes as Baltics cut ties with Russian electricity grid
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on European leaders to increase their defence spending while maintaining close ties with the US, before an emergency summit...
EU looks to Greece for critical raw materials
Greece is poised to become a key player in the EU’s efforts to secure critical raw materials (CRMs) due to its...
Kos floats speedy EU accession for Albania, Montenegro
The Munich Security Conference ended on a cautiously positive note for EU candidate countries Albania and Montenegro on Sunday, 16 February....
Poland FM backs Ukraine, but rejects EU army idea
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stressed the necessity of European involvement in any peace talks involving Russia and Ukraine, at a...
Kosovo PM wins election but loses majority
Kosovo’s parliamentary elections saw Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s ruling centre-left Vetevendosje (self-determination) party win the most seats but fall short...
German firms keen to relocate to CEE in 2025 – KPMG report finds
German companies are considering ramping up investments in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with 55% expecting the region’s economic significance to...
‘Poland: growth leader in Europe and the world’- FM proclaims on 2024 data
Poland’s economy emerged as a regional standout in 2024, recording a GDP growth of 2.9%, significantly outpacing its Central and Eastern...
Ex-NATO chief commissioned to write Baltic-Nordic security report
Leaders from Central and Eastern (CEE) countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were among the signatories of an invitation to ex-NATO secretary...
Serbian PM resigns after protesters attacked
Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned on Tuesday, 28 January, becoming the latest politician from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)...
CEE media outlets, civil groups count cost of Trump’s aid freeze
The suspension of foreign aid by incoming US President Donald Trump on 24 January is causing major disruption in sectors including...
Lufthansa buys stake in airBaltic
Lufthansa Group acquired a 10% stake in Latvia's airBaltic for EUR 14mn on January 29, pending antitrust approval. Europe's largest airline...
EU unveils strategy to compete with China, US
The European Commission (EC) unveiled its flagship "Competitiveness Compass" initiative on 29 January, the first major project of its 2024-29 term. The...
Wave of anti-gov’t protests sweeps CEE
The year in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has begun with large-scale protests across the region, including in Serbia, Slovakia, Greece...
Tusk calls for EU defence spending hikes
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged European countries to increase defence expenditures in alignment with the official 2% of GDP...
Czechia stars on Deloitte CEE Tech ‘Fast 50’
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is emerging as a hub for innovation and growth with the achievements of its fastest-growing technology...
With Orban trailing, new report sees 2025 as ‘pivotal’ for Hungary
Hungary's political landscape is marked by a mix of economic uncertainty increasing opposition momentum and continued tensions with the EU, according...
What Trump presidency means for CEE
US President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Monday, 20 January, broke with tradition and extended invitations to political leaders. However, footage of...
NATO launches ‘Baltic Sentry’ patrols to counter infrastructure attacks
NATO deployed a multinational flotilla off the Estonian coast at the weekend to defend undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea amid...
As EU probes TikTok, precedent-setting Romania announces date for election rerun
Romania’s government has approved a repeat presidential election in May after institutional chaos and controversy saw the ballot in November annulled. The...
Polish presidential candidates begin election drive
Poland's presidential election campaign has officially begun, ahead of a pivotal vote for the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) country on...
Croatia returns incumbent in landslide presidential election vote
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic secured a decisive re-election victory, defeating his conservative challenger in a run-off election on Sunday, 12 January...
Hungary gov’t merges telcos into major player
Telco 4iG’s One Hungary brand launched this month, combining Digi Hungary and Vodafone Hungary into a single, state-backed telco, after a...
Romania leads CEE for EV adoption
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) remains uneven, with significant variations between countries in the region, according...
Checks remain at Romania-Hungary rail border
Although Romania joined the Schengen free travel area at the beginning of 2025, international trains are still running on unchanged schedules...
Poland begins EU presidency with Orban snub
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he will prioritise security, defence and support for Ukraine while strengthening sanctions on Russia, at...
Austria remains in political limbo after coalition talks collapse, chancellor to quit
Austria could be set for snap elections after Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he will resign both as chancellor and the leader...
OTP wins big at CEE bank of the year awards
Hungarian banking group OTP’s subsidiaries in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia were ranked as the best banks in their respective countries...
RegioJet CEE’s best rail operator – T&E report
Czechia’s RegioJet is the top-performing rail operator in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for cost and quality, according to the latest...
Poland to focus on security, regional cooperation during upcoming EU rotating presidency
Polish government representatives outlined the key priorities for its six-month stint holding the presidency of the Council of the EU from...
Bulgaria, Romania to join Schengen free travel area
Romania and Bulgaria are set to become full members of the Schengen Area on 1 January, a significant milestone in their...
Poland leads CEE on media subscriptions – Reuters institute report
Digital news consumption in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is transforming, driven by evolving audience habits, technology adoption, and growing mistrust...
Slovenia tightens border as EU pledges migration revamp
Slovenia has announced an increase in border controls with Croatia and Hungary, citing national security and escalating concerns over irregular migration, particularly linked to developments...
Romania voids Russia-linked presidential ballot
Romania’s Constitutional Court (CCR) annulled the country’s presidential election on Friday, 6 December after the emergence of evidence of Russian interference in...
FDI paints rosier picture for Poland, Romania – OECD report
Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are still navigating post-pandemic economic challenges amid newer geopolitical tensions, according to the Economic Outlook...
Czech ministers consider euro adoption
A new report on the pros and cons of euro adoption from the Czech National Economic Council (NERV) warns that joining...
Statistics Austria sees prosperity in decline
Austria's economy has contracted for the sixth quarter in a row, and there has been an almost continuous decline in industrial...
Romanian ruling party wins House elections to stem political crisis
Romania’s ruling centre-left party came first in parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results, one week after the surprise victory of a...
Forint tumbles after Moody’s downgrade
The Hungarian forint plummeted to a near-historic low against sterling on Monday morning, with a British pound buying HUF 501.5. For...
Poland world’s biggest gold buyer in Q2, Q3
Poland was the world’s largest gold buyer in the second and third quarters of 2024, and central banks across Central and...
Central banker proclaims Romania’s ‘economic miracle’
Romania's GDP per capita, measured in purchasing power parity relative to the EU average, has surged from 25% in the early...
Populist surge in Romanian presidential election sees PM humbled
Romania's presidential election race delivered a shock result on Sunday, 24 November, as far-right, pro-Russia independent Calin Georgescu won the first...
New EU Commission readies for pivotal term
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen looks set to push through her new team of commissioners and executive vice-presidents...
Poland, Latvia, Lithuania ink drone MOUs with Taiwan
The Taiwanese government-backed drone supply chain alliance on Friday, 15 November signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Polish-Taiwanese Chamber...
Incoming Lithuanian PM prioritises defence
Lithuania’s new Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas plans to increase the country's defence spending to 3.5% of GDP in response to security...
EU assesses candidates’ progress in ten country reports
The European Commission (EC) analyses the accession prospects of all ten prospective members of the EU in a new set of...
CEE secures EUR 1.4bn in AI funding in 2023-24
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is a rising force in artificial intelligence (AI) and startups in the region raised EUR 1.4bn...
Teltonika drops EUR 3.5bn ‘dream’ project in Vilnius
Teltonika has announced it is halting the construction of its EUR 3.5bn High-Tech Hill park in Vilnius over delays in securing...
Hungary’s energy strategy has left it vulnerable to electricity price speculators – report
Hungary’s electricity market has become a focal point for speculative trading, driven by a combination of renewable energy imbalances and the...
CEE mulls ramifications of Trump’s victory on trade, defence, environment
As Donald Trump officially declared his victory in the US election, he received congratulations from numerous Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)...
PKN Orlen CEE’s top firm on Coface 500 list
Poland is the dominant country in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) business landscape, with 184 companies listed among the region's...
‘Budapest Declaration’ signed as Orban hosts EU summit
European leaders committed to developing a defence industry base and enhancing EU competitiveness at an informal European Council summit in the...
EU, South Korea expand security, defence links
The EU and the Republic of Korea formalised a comprehensive Security and Defence Partnership in Seoul, on Monday, 4 November, days...
To the victor go the spoils – the big winners and losers of Trump’s second presidency – CET op-ed
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, no stranger to political brinkmanship, went all in on Donald Trump's election victory: a win that...
Moldova pivots to EU in presidential vote
Moldovan President Maia Sandu defeated her pro-Russian rival Alexandr Stoianoglo by around 55% to 45% in the presidential second-round vote on Sunday, 3 November. While...
Estonia dominates top-30 regional startup list
A new list spotlighting the fastest-growing startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) shows Estonia as the clear leader in the...
CEE countries take sides in aftermath of Georgia’s disputed election
In the wake of the parliamentary elections in Georgia held on 26 October 2024, international reactions ranged from congratulations to expressions...
Globsec lays out proposals to bolster CEE’s cyber security in new report
The EU requires an in-depth exploration of its security needs, focusing on digital resilience, cyber threats, and countering disinformation, according to...
Lithuania’s Social Democrats defeat conservatives in parliamentary elections
Lithuania’s centre-left Social Democrats (SD) emerged as the clear leaders in the country’s second round of parliamentary elections on Sunday 27...
Romania oks EUR 150mn strategic infrastructure investment at Port of Constanta
Romania has approved “technical-economic indicators” for an over RON 750mn (EUR 150.8mn) rail construction project at the country's largest port Constanta,...
Bulgarian election delivers hung parliament
Bulgarian ex-prime minister Boyko Borissov’s conservative, pro-EU GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) party garnered approximately 25% of the votes...
Poland’s eSky finalises Thomas Cook buyout
Polish online platform eSky Group has acquired the world’s oldest travel agent, Britain's Thomas Cook, for up to GBP 30mn, after...
Moldovans vote ‘yes’ to joining EU in tight ballot
In a knife-edge referendum that laid bare Moldova's internal divisions and heightened geopolitical tensions, the country's voters backed constitutional changes aimed...
CEE sidesteps ‘middle-income trap’ – ING analysis
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) economies have largely overcome the so-called middle-income trap, but face challenges around sustainable growth and convergence...
Albania opens first EU-accession chapters
Albania’s bid to join the EU gained momentum at the latest intergovernmental conference that marked the opening of formal EU accession...
China, CEE strengthen strategic ties at summit
The sixth China and Central and Eastern European Countries Local Leaders' Meeting concluded on 16 October with a firm commitment between...
CEE’s evolving e-commerce landscape
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is catching up with Western Europe for e-commerce, but unique regional challenges and opportunities are shaping...
Serbian MPs vote against lithium mining ban, as Rio Tinto project edges closer
Serbian MPs voted down the enactment of a ban on lithium and boron exploration on Thursday, 10 October. An opposition-tabled House...
EU okays Polish EUR 1.2bn state-aided energy-storage project
The European Commission (EC) has greenlit Poland's USD 1.2bn scheme for projects to increase electricity storage capabilities to foster the transition...
Croatia, Serbia bring back national service
Croatia and Serbia have both announced plans to reintroduce compulsory military service, saying it is necessary to strengthen national defence due...
As EU slaps new tariffs on Chinese BEVs, VW rolls out ‘gamechanging’ electric vehicle
The European Commission (EC) has announced that it will impose additional import tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs) following a...
CEE rescue teams rally to flood-hit Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is receiving crucial assistance from across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as well as the EU, as...
EU pushes Romania to modify energy price caps
The EU has called on Romania to amend its energy price-capping scheme, urging the government to allow gas and electricity producers...
‘Poland’s 7/11’ plans IPO, regional expansion
Zabka is planning an initial public offering (IPO) on the Warsaw Stock Exchange on 17 October, as Poland’s leading convenience shop...
Mishandling of immigration has propelled a party with direct Nazi roots into power in Austria – CET Opinion
The outcome of Austria’s election is undeniably historic—not just for Austria, but for the whole European Union. The Freedom Party of...
Austrian far-right FPO party wins election
Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) has won a landmark victory, claiming the largest share of votes and ending 20 years of...
Babis wins Senate seats, but Fiala retains control
Czech opposition party ANO, led by former prime minister Andrej Babis, scored a significant victory in Saturday’s elections for the country's...
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland to ask EU to cofund ‘Baltic Defence Line’
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland are seeking EU financial support for a coordinated network of military fortifications along their borders with...
Czech ‘crisis manager’ Sikela to helm EU’s answer to China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Czechia's former industry minister and crisis manager Jozef Sikela has been appointed to lead the EU’s EUR 300bn Global Gateway Strategy,...
Poland set for key budget role, as EU names commissioner-designates
After months of negotiations with EU member states, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen revealed the lineup for her...
MOL inks gas exploration deal in Azerbaijan
Hungary's MOL Group, along with its joint venture partners, has signed commercial agreements to advance the development of significant gas reserves...
Intel postpones EUR 4bn Polish factory plan
US firm Intel has decided to delay its semiconductor plant project near Wroclaw, west Poland, until 2026 due to the company's...
Korean firm to build EUR 16bn Czech nuclear plant
South Korea’s Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) will lead Czechia's largest-ever investment project when the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)...
Slovakia hikes VAT to among EU’s highest
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday, September 18, reversed decades of opposition to tax hikes as his government amended VAT...
CEE think tank envisages ‘pivotal role’ for region
The incoming EU administration should ensure that countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) lever more influence in the bloc, Slovakia-based...
Poland leads CEE wave of UK legacy firm buyouts
Polish online platform eSky’s GBP 30mn (EUR 35.5mn) purchase of Thomas Cook from China’s Fosun Tourism Group signals a broader westward...
CEE braces for further flooding, as Storm Boris wreaks havoc
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared a state of disaster and confirmed that 1,600 people have been evacuated in Klodzko, south-west...
Orlen inks deal to secure LNG supplies to Poland, Baltics
Poland’s strategic energy giant PKN Orlen has signed a five-year exclusive deal with Lithuanian energy terminal operator KN Energies to up...
Lufthansa mulls AirBaltic purchase – report
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is looking into acquiring a stake in AirBaltic before the Latvian state-owned airline launches an initial public offering...
Von der Leyen pledges more EU on Balkans visit
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen announced further EU flood recovery funding and reiterated the EU’s commitment to addressing climate...
Saudi Arabia launches new business chamber to focus on CEE
Saudi Arabia has launched a new business council to deepen its economic ties with Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and tap...
Rheinmetall to build EUR 180mn factory in Lithuania
Germany’s Rheinmetall will spend more than EUR 180mn on an ammunition manufacturing facility in Lithuania, the Lithuanian Economy and Innovation Ministry...
BiH completes largest ever infrastructure project
Financed with a EUR 5mn EU grant and a EUR 100mn loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the nearly 1km-long...
Bulgaria’s euro debate intensifies as pro-EU opposition pushes January adoption date
Bulgaria’s pro-European opposition has tabled a declaration committing the country to join the Eurozone on 1 January 2026, challenging the government...
Romania powers up its largest EV hub to support EU Green Deal transport targets
In a new step in the cleaner transport transition, OMV Petrom has inaugurated Romania's largest electric vehicle (EV) hub with 34...
Ukraine arrests pair for spying for Hungary
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has arrested two Ukrainian military veterans in Zakarpattia, west Ukraine, on suspicion of high treason,...
Hungary pays neighbours to avoid blackouts: lessons from Spain’s recent energy crisis
Hungary currently leads the world for share of solar energy in its energy mix, as it generated a quarter of its...
Rama set to retain power in Albania election
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has claimed victory in Albania’s parliamentary election on Sunday, 11 May, after exit polls showed his...
Bosnia’s EU accession requires pro-EU coalition – high representative
The EU can formally begin accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) when a stable and pro-European coalition has been formed,...
Estonia climbs to second in global press freedom rankings, Czechia makes top ten
Estonia has surged to second place in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, its best-ever result and the highest ranking among...
Czechia delinks from Russian oil after 60 years
Czechia has halted imports of Russian crude oil delivered via the Druzhba pipelinefor the first time in 60 years, Czech Prime...
Far-right Simion wins first round of Romania’s presidential rerun, to face Bucharest mayor in runoff vote
Far-right leader George Simion surged to a clear lead in the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun, taking 40.9% of...
Lowest OECD tax burdens in Slovakia, Poland
Workers in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) enjoy some of the lowest personal income tax rates in Europe, with Slovakia and...
Baltic states ramp up air, missile defences
The Baltic states are stepping up their air, missile and drone defence capabilities, as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania invest in new...
Polish bourse WIG index tops 100,000 points in historic first
Poland’s main stock market index, the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WIG), closed above 100,000 points for the first time this week, signalling...
Polish PM declares national strategy to lead CEE, as nation celebrates 1,000th anniversary
Poland has launched a new national doctrine aimed at establishing the country as the dominant military and economic power in Central...
Prague expands airport, revamps tram service
Prague has launched two major transport infrastructure projects, expanding Vaclav Havel Airport and introducing a new generation of trams to modernise...
Poland tops employment rankings – OECD report
The EU’s employment rate reached a record high of 70.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Organisation for...
Greece plans to repay Eurozone’s bailout loans whole decade in advance
Greece has announced plans to repay its first bailout loans a decade ahead of schedule, in a move that officials say...
CEE economies tougher than you may think – ING
Despite their export-driven economies and strong manufacturing bases, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries may be more resilient to global trade...
Slovenia mulls French, US bids for nuclear project
Slovenia is at the centre of a strategic struggle between France and the US, as both nations seek to secure a...
Single market is not single, and it’s costing us all
The EU’s internal market is still falling short of its founding promise. Despite decades of integration, consumers across member states face...
Foot-and-mouth sees culls, CEE border closures
An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has prompted mass animal culls and tightened border controls across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)....
Trump tariffs split EU as Hungary seeks exemption
Hungary has broken ranks with the EU in response to the US's new tariffs policy, as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban...
CEE leaders weigh in on security, expansion, energy at Antalya forum
Attendees from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) nations including Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova and others discussed policy priorities...
CEE leads EU raw materials drive as EU selects strategic mining projects
The European Commission (EC) has chosen 47 strategic projects across the EU to reduce critical raw material dependency, with Czechia, Estonia,...
Vucic names academic as PM candidate, as demonstrators take protest to Strasbourg
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic nominated political newcomer Duro Macut, a 62-year-old endocrinologist and university professor, to serve as the country’s next...
Serbia, Hungary deepen defence, energy ties
When Croatia, Albania and Kosovo recently formed a new military alliance, Serbia and Hungary followed suit, reshaping the security situation in...
CEE markets plunge on Trump tariffs shock
Stock markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) fell sharply after US President Donald Trump announced retaliatory tariffs on global imports...
Krakow layoffs reflect broader shift to AI, automation in CEE
The city of Krakow, south Poland, saw nearly 1,900 group layoffs in the first quarter of 2025, almost equalling the total...
Far-right candidate leads in polls ahead of Romania presidential election rerun
Romania will hold fresh presidential elections on 4 May, after its Constitutional Court annulled November's vote, citing Russian interference. However, the...
Trump’s time bomb just exploded – oped
Trying to figure out the rationale behind Trump’s “trade revolution”? Don’t bother, there isn’t one. It is rooted in delusion, yet...
Liberation Day: the end of ‘America First’ – oped
Liberation Day is here. Trump has announced his tariffs targeting the US’s biggest trading partners, delivering one of the biggest blows...
CEE auto, steel at sharp end of Trump tariffs
US President Donald Trump’s new raft of global tariffs threatens to hammer the export-driven economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE),...
US soldiers die during Lithuania training exercise
A total of three US soldiers were found dead while a fourth remains missing after their armoured recovery vehicle became submerged...
Trump-Putin detente could revive Nord Stream 2
The US and Russia are discussing the potential reopening of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, raising significant concerns across Europe,...
Dodik dodges arrest warrant, surfaces in Moscow
Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik announced that he had arrived in Moscow on Monday 31 March, after Bosnia and Herzegovina...
CEE startups outpace Western Europe rivals
Startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are growing faster than in Western Europe and the CEE startup ecosystem is now...
Gender pay gaps remain in CEE, despite EU efforts
Romania and Poland have gender pay disparities among the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat data published this month. In...
Europe’s trilemma: rearmament, green transition, competitiveness
European leaders met in Brussels on 20 March to confront a mounting policy dilemma: how to balance rearmament, the green transition,...
‘We always choose the best and fastest method for acquiring ammunition’ – Estonia defends policy
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur pushed back on Tuesday against criticism of the country’s joint ammunition procurement strategy, defending multilateral arrangements...
Croatia eyes Russia’s share in Serbian oil firm NIS
Croatian Economy Minister Ante Susnjar said state-owned oil pipeline operator Jadranski Naftovod (Janaf) could acquire Russia’s stake in Serbian oil company...
EU probes Hungarian subsidies to BYD under new foreign subsidies rules
The European Commission (EC) has launched an inquiry into state support provided by Hungary to Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD,...
Poland’s GDP to grow by 3.7%, CEE by 2.6%
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is set for stronger economic growth in 2025, with GDP expected to expand by 2.6%, according...
Poland, Czechia back ‘coalition of the willing’, Hungary, Slovakia align with Trump
As political landscapes shift across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), governments are recalibrating their approaches to Ukraine, European security, and internal...
Historic demo in Belgrade rocks Vucic gov’t
Crowds flooded the streets of the Serbian capital of Belgrade on Saturday, 15 March, in the largest demonstration of the recent...
CEE to get four AI factories under EU initiative
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is set to play a key role in the EU’s push to establish itself as a...
Microsoft, Google invest big in Polish cloud, AI infrastructure, skilling, cybersecurity
Poland is rapidly emerging as a key hub for technological innovation and investment in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), attracting major...
Poland leads CEE’s rearmament charge, as Trump cools on NATO
Poland is set to purchase an additional 180 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks for approximately USD 6.2bn (EUR 5.7bn), South...
Moldova, North Macedonia join harmonised European payments system SEPA
Moldova and North Macedonia have been approved to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), marking a significant step in their...
Romania probes pro-Russian presidential candidate as six arrested for coup plot
Romanian authorities are investigating far-right, pro-Russian politician Calin Georgescu over allegations of working against the constitutional order, spreading misinformation and supporting...
Austria coalition ends five months of limbo
Austria’s centre-right People’s Party (OVP), centre-left Social Democrats (SPO) and centrist, liberal NEOs have now finalised a coalition pact after a...
Dodik ban from public office sparks protests in BiH
Republika Srpska (RS) president Milorad Dodik is once again at the centre of political turmoil in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) after...
Ukraine, Slovakia ranked most bureaucratic countries
Except for wartorn Ukraine, Slovakia has the most red tape in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), according to the latest Bureaucracy...
Trump’s verbal attack on Zelenskyy prompts security rethink in CEE
The dramatic breakdown of relations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance on...
Trump’s self-defeating trade war with Europe – opinion
US President Donald Trump underscored this week that he intends to impose 25% tariffs on EU imports, reinforcing his claim that...
Zelenskyy gathers support from CEE leaders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on European leaders to step up their efforts towards peace in Ukraine during a string of...
Ukraine will never join EU – Orban
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban described 2025 as a “breakthrough year” when he set out his government’s agenda for the coming...
Pro-Russian protestors set fire to EU office in Sofia, as Bulgaria nears eurozone
As Bulgaria edges closer to the Eurozone, some 1,000 protestors gathered outside the National Bank headquarters waving banners and placards proclaiming...
Austrian mainstream parties edge towards coalition after attempt of pro-Putin party fails
The centre-right People’s Party (OVP) and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPO) are working behind closed doors on a coalition deal that...
A Trumping new reality – CET opinion
One of the most disappointing characteristics of our 21st Century is that while we live in a high-tech world, billions are...
Poland PM urges defence spending hikes as Baltics cut ties with Russian electricity grid
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on European leaders to increase their defence spending while maintaining close ties with the US, before an emergency summit...
Kos floats speedy EU accession for Albania, Montenegro
The Munich Security Conference ended on a cautiously positive note for EU candidate countries Albania and Montenegro on Sunday, 16 February....
EU looks to Greece for critical raw materials
Greece is poised to become a key player in the EU’s efforts to secure critical raw materials (CRMs) due to its...
Poland FM backs Ukraine, but rejects EU army idea
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stressed the necessity of European involvement in any peace talks involving Russia and Ukraine, at a...
‘Poland: growth leader in Europe and the world’- FM proclaims on 2024 data
Poland’s economy emerged as a regional standout in 2024, recording a GDP growth of 2.9%, significantly outpacing its Central and Eastern...
German firms keen to relocate to CEE in 2025 – KPMG report finds
German companies are considering ramping up investments in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with 55% expecting the region’s economic significance to...
Ex-NATO chief commissioned to write Baltic-Nordic security report
Leaders from Central and Eastern (CEE) countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were among the signatories of an invitation to ex-NATO secretary...
Kosovo PM wins election but loses majority
Kosovo’s parliamentary elections saw Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s ruling centre-left Vetevendosje (self-determination) party win the most seats but fall short...
EU unveils strategy to compete with China, US
The European Commission (EC) unveiled its flagship "Competitiveness Compass" initiative on 29 January, the first major project of its 2024-29 term. The...
Lufthansa buys stake in airBaltic
Lufthansa Group acquired a 10% stake in Latvia's airBaltic for EUR 14mn on January 29, pending antitrust approval. Europe's largest airline...
Serbian PM resigns after protesters attacked
Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned on Tuesday, 28 January, becoming the latest politician from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)...
CEE media outlets, civil groups count cost of Trump’s aid freeze
The suspension of foreign aid by incoming US President Donald Trump on 24 January is causing major disruption in sectors including...
Wave of anti-gov’t protests sweeps CEE
The year in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has begun with large-scale protests across the region, including in Serbia, Slovakia, Greece...
Tusk calls for EU defence spending hikes
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged European countries to increase defence expenditures in alignment with the official 2% of GDP...
With Orban trailing, new report sees 2025 as ‘pivotal’ for Hungary
Hungary's political landscape is marked by a mix of economic uncertainty increasing opposition momentum and continued tensions with the EU, according...
Czechia stars on Deloitte CEE Tech ‘Fast 50’
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is emerging as a hub for innovation and growth with the achievements of its fastest-growing technology...
As EU probes TikTok, precedent-setting Romania announces date for election rerun
Romania’s government has approved a repeat presidential election in May after institutional chaos and controversy saw the ballot in November annulled. The...
NATO launches ‘Baltic Sentry’ patrols to counter infrastructure attacks
NATO deployed a multinational flotilla off the Estonian coast at the weekend to defend undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea amid...
Polish presidential candidates begin election drive
Poland's presidential election campaign has officially begun, ahead of a pivotal vote for the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) country on...
What Trump presidency means for CEE
US President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Monday, 20 January, broke with tradition and extended invitations to political leaders. However, footage of...
Croatia returns incumbent in landslide presidential election vote
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic secured a decisive re-election victory, defeating his conservative challenger in a run-off election on Sunday, 12 January...
Checks remain at Romania-Hungary rail border
Although Romania joined the Schengen free travel area at the beginning of 2025, international trains are still running on unchanged schedules...
Hungary gov’t merges telcos into major player
Telco 4iG’s One Hungary brand launched this month, combining Digi Hungary and Vodafone Hungary into a single, state-backed telco, after a...
Romania leads CEE for EV adoption
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) remains uneven, with significant variations between countries in the region, according...
Poland begins EU presidency with Orban snub
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he will prioritise security, defence and support for Ukraine while strengthening sanctions on Russia, at...
Austria remains in political limbo after coalition talks collapse, chancellor to quit
Austria could be set for snap elections after Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he will resign both as chancellor and the leader...
OTP wins big at CEE bank of the year awards
Hungarian banking group OTP’s subsidiaries in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia were ranked as the best banks in their respective countries...
RegioJet CEE’s best rail operator – T&E report
Czechia’s RegioJet is the top-performing rail operator in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for cost and quality, according to the latest...
Poland to focus on security, regional cooperation during upcoming EU rotating presidency
Polish government representatives outlined the key priorities for its six-month stint holding the presidency of the Council of the EU from...
Bulgaria, Romania to join Schengen free travel area
Romania and Bulgaria are set to become full members of the Schengen Area on 1 January, a significant milestone in their...
Slovenia tightens border as EU pledges migration revamp
Slovenia has announced an increase in border controls with Croatia and Hungary, citing national security and escalating concerns over irregular migration, particularly linked to developments...
Poland leads CEE on media subscriptions – Reuters institute report
Digital news consumption in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is transforming, driven by evolving audience habits, technology adoption, and growing mistrust...
FDI paints rosier picture for Poland, Romania – OECD report
Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are still navigating post-pandemic economic challenges amid newer geopolitical tensions, according to the Economic Outlook...
Statistics Austria sees prosperity in decline
Austria's economy has contracted for the sixth quarter in a row, and there has been an almost continuous decline in industrial...
Czech ministers consider euro adoption
A new report on the pros and cons of euro adoption from the Czech National Economic Council (NERV) warns that joining...
Romania voids Russia-linked presidential ballot
Romania’s Constitutional Court (CCR) annulled the country’s presidential election on Friday, 6 December after the emergence of evidence of Russian interference in...
Forint tumbles after Moody’s downgrade
The Hungarian forint plummeted to a near-historic low against sterling on Monday morning, with a British pound buying HUF 501.5. For...
Romanian ruling party wins House elections to stem political crisis
Romania’s ruling centre-left party came first in parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results, one week after the surprise victory of a...
Central banker proclaims Romania’s ‘economic miracle’
Romania's GDP per capita, measured in purchasing power parity relative to the EU average, has surged from 25% in the early...
Poland world’s biggest gold buyer in Q2, Q3
Poland was the world’s largest gold buyer in the second and third quarters of 2024, and central banks across Central and...
New EU Commission readies for pivotal term
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen looks set to push through her new team of commissioners and executive vice-presidents...
Poland, Latvia, Lithuania ink drone MOUs with Taiwan
The Taiwanese government-backed drone supply chain alliance on Friday, 15 November signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Polish-Taiwanese Chamber...
Populist surge in Romanian presidential election sees PM humbled
Romania's presidential election race delivered a shock result on Sunday, 24 November, as far-right, pro-Russia independent Calin Georgescu won the first...
Incoming Lithuanian PM prioritises defence
Lithuania’s new Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas plans to increase the country's defence spending to 3.5% of GDP in response to security...
Teltonika drops EUR 3.5bn ‘dream’ project in Vilnius
Teltonika has announced it is halting the construction of its EUR 3.5bn High-Tech Hill park in Vilnius over delays in securing...
Hungary’s energy strategy has left it vulnerable to electricity price speculators – report
Hungary’s electricity market has become a focal point for speculative trading, driven by a combination of renewable energy imbalances and the...
CEE secures EUR 1.4bn in AI funding in 2023-24
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is a rising force in artificial intelligence (AI) and startups in the region raised EUR 1.4bn...
EU assesses candidates’ progress in ten country reports
The European Commission (EC) analyses the accession prospects of all ten prospective members of the EU in a new set of...
CEE mulls ramifications of Trump’s victory on trade, defence, environment
As Donald Trump officially declared his victory in the US election, he received congratulations from numerous Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)...
‘Budapest Declaration’ signed as Orban hosts EU summit
European leaders committed to developing a defence industry base and enhancing EU competitiveness at an informal European Council summit in the...
EU, South Korea expand security, defence links
The EU and the Republic of Korea formalised a comprehensive Security and Defence Partnership in Seoul, on Monday, 4 November, days...
PKN Orlen CEE’s top firm on Coface 500 list
Poland is the dominant country in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) business landscape, with 184 companies listed among the region's...
To the victor go the spoils – the big winners and losers of Trump’s second presidency – CET op-ed
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, no stranger to political brinkmanship, went all in on Donald Trump's election victory: a win that...
Moldova pivots to EU in presidential vote
Moldovan President Maia Sandu defeated her pro-Russian rival Alexandr Stoianoglo by around 55% to 45% in the presidential second-round vote on Sunday, 3 November. While...
Estonia dominates top-30 regional startup list
A new list spotlighting the fastest-growing startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) shows Estonia as the clear leader in the...
Globsec lays out proposals to bolster CEE’s cyber security in new report
The EU requires an in-depth exploration of its security needs, focusing on digital resilience, cyber threats, and countering disinformation, according to...
CEE countries take sides in aftermath of Georgia’s disputed election
In the wake of the parliamentary elections in Georgia held on 26 October 2024, international reactions ranged from congratulations to expressions...
Lithuania’s Social Democrats defeat conservatives in parliamentary elections
Lithuania’s centre-left Social Democrats (SD) emerged as the clear leaders in the country’s second round of parliamentary elections on Sunday 27...
Bulgarian election delivers hung parliament
Bulgarian ex-prime minister Boyko Borissov’s conservative, pro-EU GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) party garnered approximately 25% of the votes...
Poland’s eSky finalises Thomas Cook buyout
Polish online platform eSky Group has acquired the world’s oldest travel agent, Britain's Thomas Cook, for up to GBP 30mn, after...
Romania oks EUR 150mn strategic infrastructure investment at Port of Constanta
Romania has approved “technical-economic indicators” for an over RON 750mn (EUR 150.8mn) rail construction project at the country's largest port Constanta,...
CEE sidesteps ‘middle-income trap’ – ING analysis
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) economies have largely overcome the so-called middle-income trap, but face challenges around sustainable growth and convergence...
Albania opens first EU-accession chapters
Albania’s bid to join the EU gained momentum at the latest intergovernmental conference that marked the opening of formal EU accession...
China, CEE strengthen strategic ties at summit
The sixth China and Central and Eastern European Countries Local Leaders' Meeting concluded on 16 October with a firm commitment between...
Moldovans vote ‘yes’ to joining EU in tight ballot
In a knife-edge referendum that laid bare Moldova's internal divisions and heightened geopolitical tensions, the country's voters backed constitutional changes aimed...
EU okays Polish EUR 1.2bn state-aided energy-storage project
The European Commission (EC) has greenlit Poland's USD 1.2bn scheme for projects to increase electricity storage capabilities to foster the transition...
Serbian MPs vote against lithium mining ban, as Rio Tinto project edges closer
Serbian MPs voted down the enactment of a ban on lithium and boron exploration on Thursday, 10 October. An opposition-tabled House...
CEE’s evolving e-commerce landscape
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is catching up with Western Europe for e-commerce, but unique regional challenges and opportunities are shaping...
Croatia, Serbia bring back national service
Croatia and Serbia have both announced plans to reintroduce compulsory military service, saying it is necessary to strengthen national defence due...
CEE rescue teams rally to flood-hit Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is receiving crucial assistance from across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as well as the EU, as...
EU pushes Romania to modify energy price caps
The EU has called on Romania to amend its energy price-capping scheme, urging the government to allow gas and electricity producers...