Real wages in the Czech Republic soared by 8.2% year on year in the 2nd quarter, the highest rate on record, helped by bonuses in the health sector and a wage jump across industries after a weak 2nd quarter of 2020 hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The numbers included
As the next wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hits Bulgaria, the government has had to impose tighter restrictions. On Tuesday, the country saw 120 coronavirus deaths and is registering 2000 new cases daily. Restaurants and cafes in Bulgaria are being forced to close by 11pm, their tables limited to six
The Balkan countries are important for Germany – that’s seemingly the reason why German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who’s set to step down from her post following elections this autumn, is taking an extensive “farewell tour,” meeting with leaders from six Balkan states – some of them EU aspirants – in the
In the last three years only, 19,000 deaths have been linked to coal-power plant-related air pollution in the Western Balkans – according to a fresh study co-authored by the CEE Bankwatch Network and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. The report focuses on how Western Balkan coal
In Slovakia, Tesco is now in the rear mirror for German supermarket chain Lidl, whose profits for 2020 (over EUR 126 million) have exceeded that of the British retailer, which has been the market leader in the country for some time. Lidl overtaking Tesco in Slovakia can be attributed to
The National Recovery Plan of the Czech Republic has been approved this week by EU finance ministers on one condition: that the country address conflict of interest issues involving some high-ranking politicians, in reference to Czech prime minister’s business empire. That means Czechia is set to receive over EUR
By the end of August, EU member Croatia and two of its Southern neighbors down the Adriatic coast, Montenegro and Albania, had happily concluded what was an excellent tourist season for those countries so far this year. Revenues from tourism are giving a significant boost to their economies, much needed
Wizz Air is to require all its flights’ crews to be vaccinated against coronavirus by December 2021. The airline said the decision was taken on health and safety grounds and to ensure the “smooth” operation of services over the long term. It is understood to be the first European carrier
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, allegedly pledged his allegiance to the European Union and admitted that Hungary is not likely to receive EU COVID-19 recovery funding on time at this past weekend’s “Kötcse” political picnic, an annual closed-circle gathering of people close to the government. According to sources
If not partly or fully owned by the state, like utility and oil companies, the largest companies in the Visegrad 4 (“V4”) countries – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia – are mostly foreign-owned and typically operate in the automotive, retail and electronics sectors. They are highly productive and prosperous, driving their
The Czech Republic’s Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of the Czech ticket seller Kiwi.com against Ryanair in a dispute over Kiwi’s practices for handling passenger data. The legal win is a boost for the Czech company amid tensions with Ryanair which have seen the carrier threatening
Bulgaria will hold both presidential and snap general elections in November amidst political polarization and uncertainty that are stalling badly needed recovery aid from the European Union. On Thursday, the country’s parliament voted 152-0 with 25 abstentions to schedule the presidential vote on November 14. President Rumen Radev is
Romania’s government coalition is in major crisis after the dismissal of the country’s justice minister, Stelian Ion, by prime minister Florin Citu. After suffering two minister losses recently without prior notice, junior coalition party USR PLUS are calling on the senior coalition party, the National Liberal Party (PNL)
Amid the growing COVID-19 Delta variant threat in Europe, the Romanian government wants to boost its vaccination campaign. Currently, Romania, along with Bulgaria, has one of the lowest vaccination rates across the European Union with only 26.3% of the population fully vaccinated. With the school year about to start,
Hungary hosted a major airshow over the weekend, with the participation of dozens of military aircraft from across Europe. The Kecskemét Airshow featured aircraft and helicopters recently purchased by the Hungarian military, like the Airbus H145, Gripens, Falcons, and Zlin training aircraft. British and Italian Eurofighter 2000s were also present,
Two watchdog groups say global tech giants are spending nearly EUR 100 million every year – the biggest lobby spend for any industry – in an attempt to to influence digital regulations within the European Union, rules that could cut into their business. That’s according to a study of where and
Members of the Estonia’s parliament on Tuesday elected the director of the national museum as the Baltic country’s new president. The successful vote took place following an inconclusive first-round vote on Monday. On Tuesday, Estonian National Museum director Alar Karis gained the support of 72 parliamentarians in the
“Why risk a good relationship with the US and elicit yet another conflict with Brussels?” one might ask when pondering a bill, called “Lex TVN,” recently submitted to Poland’s parliament. One likely answer is that the Polish ruling party wants to secure its victory in the country’s next
Stricter COVID-19 health requirements are set to go back into effect on US citizens traveling to Europe, with an announcement likely to be made today. Now, those coming from America who are unvaccinated must once again undergo covid testing and/or quarantine when entering the European Union. Still, individual EU
Hungary has floated the idea of a tripartite agreement to supply Ukraine with natural gas flows through Hungary via liquefied natural gas (LNG) received at the terminal on the Croatian island of Krk. Following a meeting with his Croatian counterpart in Budapest, Hungary’s minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
A new study finds that the Czech Republic still has the most favorable conditions for manufacturing among countries in Europe. Worldwide, the country ranks 5th, behind China, India, the United States and Canada. The result is derived from a study, entitled Manufacturing Risk Index, carried out by the real estate
As in the rest of Europe, the cost of both buying and renting property has gone up in Central & Eastern Europe (CEE). Emerging Europe observes that within the region, the highest increases both for rental and purchase are being seen in Croatia, Slovakia, Poland and Estonia. One analyst notes
The Nord Stream II (NSII) natural gas pipeline will be completed, despite political opposition from Ukraine, Poland and the US – but a court challenge to how it operates may be another sticking point for the USD 11bn natural gas pipeline, which will deliver 55bcm of natural gas to Germany. That
Hungary will start producing Sputnik V, the Russian Covid-19 vaccine, in the city of Debrecen starting at the end of 2022, Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and Hungary’s minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, announced at a joint press conference in Budapest on Tuesday. Hungary is
Small, export-oriented countries may lose out to larger economies if a “minimum tax” proposal from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) remains unchanged. The proposal, backed by some 130 countries, would introduce a 15% minimum corporate tax globally to end the current “tax race to the bottom,” a