From the Gulf to Central Europe: a distant conflict with close-to-home consequences
The Strait of Hormuz is thousands of miles from Budapest or Prague. Yet the crisis unfolding there is already hitting Central European drivers at the pump.
Hungary
A collection of 413 posts
Druzhba pipeline shutdown plunges Hungary and Slovakia into oil dispute with Ukraine
Oil still halted a month after a Druzhba pipeline strike, with Hungary and Slovakia blaming Ukraine for stalling repairs in a deepening row.
The Druzhba–Adria cost equation
A closer look at the economic realities behind a potential switch from Druzhba to Adria — and whether it truly makes financial sense.
Rubio’s regional tour: Who was the U.S. signalling - and what?
Following the U.S. Secretary of State’s partial regional tour, at least as many questions remain as the trip itself answered
Hungary’s energy path: Still quite expensive
Hungary has chosen a unique path in designing its energy system, both in European and regional comparisons.
Europe’s air traffic rebalance: Central and Eastern markets take the lead
Central and Eastern Europe emerge as the engine of the European aviation traffic.
The “Roma card” in domestic politics
Debates on Roma communities have resurfaced regionally, amid controversy in Hungary, policy debates in Slovenia and politicization in Czechia, Slovakia.
The Beneš dilemma is drawing attention in regional and European public discourse
The issue of the Beneš Decree and the related Slovak–Hungarian disagreement have now appeared on the regional and European agenda as well.
Hungary in Gaza Board of Peace: Unity or doubts?
While Hungary expressed enthusiastic support, several major European powers rejected Trump’s latest initiative, the so-called Board of Peace.
MOL nears NIS takeover to build cross-border refining network
Hungary’s MOL nears a majority stake in Serbia’s NIS, bringing the Pančevo refinery and NIS assets under its control once U.S. sanctions lift.
Rain of money on Polish cities: capital-attracting capacity rises sharply
Fiscal autonomy and access to EU funds allow Polish cities to develop dynamically, while Budapest and other Hungarian cities are constrained by the solidarity contribution.
Slovakia’s new criminal code sparks constitutional challenge and ethnic tensions
Slovakia’s new criminal code triggered a constitutional challenge by the country’s Prosecutor General and ignited controversy at home and abroad.
The Polish miracle: How did the “Poor man of Europe” become an economic leader?
Poland’s economic success lies in consistent reforms and smart EU fund use, while Hungary and Romania followed more volatile development paths.
EU-Mercosur agreement: No unified regional position
Despite expectations, the EU–Mercosur deal was not signed and stances of CEE countries remain divided.
Caps and ceilings: Fighting inflation with price regulation in several countries in the region
Administrative interventions are used to curb inflation in numerous CEE countries, with Hungary adopting the most market‑interfering measures.