Milorad Dodik
Dodik allies plan referendum after Bosnian court upholds president's impeachment
Dodik, once seen as a moderate reformer, has shifted over two decades into a hardline nationalist who consistently tests BiH's post-war settlement.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Merz
CEE diversifies on gas, as Merz decries Nord Stream 2 'mistake'
In late May, Merz said Nord Stream 2 must stay closed to “weaken Moscow's war machine” and also declared that his government would “do everything” to prevent the pipeline from going online.ce
Jan Kuciak
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 EU countries. Estonia's ranking in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index is the highest ever achieved by a Central and Eastern European (CEE) country since the index&
Christian Schmidt
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, according to Christian Schmidt, the international high representative overseeing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The Dayton accords were signed in 1995 and ended the Bosnian War. The
Eurofound
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 Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). But while this marks a major milestone for the bloc, the picture in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is more complex, as
Erdogan
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 at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in south west Turkey on 11-13 April. The forum's theme "Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World" set the tone for
Macron
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 on 2 April 2025, spooking the region's export-dependent economies and reviving fears of a wider economic slowdown. CEE Stock Market Weekly Performance to 7 April 2025 Most
Dayton Peace Agreement
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 (BiH) prosecutors ordered an international arrest warrant for his alleged flouting of the BiH Constitution. BiH is facing its biggest political challenge in years, as Dodik escalates a legal
Balkan countries
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 being sentenced to a one-year prison term. The Serb nationalist politician was convicted by a court of first instance for failing to implement decisions made by the Office of
Albania
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. After a tumultuous 3 days, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos namechecked Albania and Montenegro as “front-runners” for EU accession during a roundtable discussion, adding that their negotiations could be
Albania
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 grow in the next 5 years, according to the “German CEE Business Outlook 2025” report by auditor KPMG. The survey analysed the economic prospects and business strategies of
Analysis
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 independent media and NGOs across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with many institutions now frantically seeking alternative funding sources. The US has traditionally played a key role in funding