A collection of 152 posts
Romania and Poland have gender pay disparities among the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat data published this month. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Romania and Poland recorded the smallest gender pay gaps in 2023, at 3.6% and 4.5% respectively — both well below the EU average
European leaders met in Brussels on 20 March to confront a mounting policy dilemma: how to balance rearmament, the green transition, and economic competitiveness. The discussions come amid slowing growth, high energy costs, and growing strategic insecurity — all while EU fiscal rules remain in place. At the heart of the
The European Commission (EC) has launched an inquiry into state support provided by Hungary to Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD, as part of a broader investigation into foreign subsidies distorting competition in the EU. The preliminary probe, initiated on 19 March 2025, comes under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies
Crowds flooded the streets of the Serbian capital of Belgrade on Saturday, 15 March, in the largest demonstration of the recent anger towards the government to date, and possibly the biggest protest in the Balkan country’s history. The students leading the protests are demanding government accountability regarding the collapse
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is set to play a key role in the EU’s push to establish itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence under the new funding initiative Invest AI. European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen announced the plan at the AI Action Summit
Poland is set to purchase an additional 180 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks for approximately USD 6.2bn (EUR 5.7bn), South Korean government officials announced on 9 March. The proposed agreement could be finalised as soon as next month and follows Poland’s earlier USD 12.4bn deal
Moldova and North Macedonia have been approved to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), marking a significant step in their integration with European financial systems. The countries will become operational members on October 5, after becoming compliant with SEPA regulations from April, the European Payments Council (EPC) announced on
As Bulgaria edges closer to the Eurozone, some 1,000 protestors gathered outside the National Bank headquarters waving banners and placards proclaiming “No to the euro” and “Yes to the Bulgarian lev” in a demonstration organised by the pro-Russian Vazrazhdane (Revival) Party on Saturday, 22 February. The demonstrators later proceeded
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
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stressed the necessity of European involvement in any peace talks involving Russia and Ukraine, at a meeting in Paris on 12 February, arguing that a fair deal with strong security guarantees is essential for lasting peace. Poland inks open letter with other major EU powers
The European Commission (EC) unveiled its flagship “Competitiveness Compass” initiative on 29 January, the first major project of its 2024-29 term. The initiative is designed to serve as a strategic roadmap to foster innovation in sectors such as AI, semiconductors, quantum tech and biotechnology in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)
Romania’s government has approved a repeat presidential election in May after institutional chaos and controversy saw the ballot in November annulled. The rerun vote is scheduled for 4 May and – if no candidate secures a simple majority – another will be held on 18 May. Romania’s Constitutional Court on
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he will prioritise security, defence and support for Ukraine while strengthening sanctions on Russia, at the launch event of his country’s presidency of the Council of the EU on 3 January, 2025. The gala began with a speech from Tusk, who outlined the
Romania’s ruling centre-left party came first in parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results, one week after the surprise victory of a far-right, anti-NATO presidential candidate in the first-round ballot. With 96.4% of votes counted, the ruling Social Democratic party (PSD) had 22.5% of the votes to the
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen looks set to push through her new team of commissioners and executive vice-presidents this week, following a contentious process that has exposed political divides in the European Parliament (EP). EC executive vice-presidents and commissioner-designates were selected after weeks of disputes between the