Seismic shift in Venezuela – How it could affect Central and Eastern Europe
The aftermath of Trump’s Venezuela move remains unclear, but CEE states are likely to be impacted indirectly by oil prices and EU sanctions.
Politics
A collection of 95 posts
What’s next in 2026 for Central and Eastern Europe?
Can CEE develop a realistic policy response that shields the region from Europe’s structural decline?
Tisza Party widens lead in Hungary, poll suggests
Fidesz’s recovery stalls as a new 21 Kutatóközpont poll shows Tisza Party gaining ground ahead of Hungary’s 2026 election.
Babiš secures third term and steers Czechia toward Central Europe
Babiš has been officially appointed the Czech Prime Minister for the third time, following his ANO party’s success in the October 2025 elections.
Bulgarian Prime Minister resigns amid ongoing protests and no confidence motion
Zhelyazkov submitted his government's resignation minutes before the parliament was due to vote on a motion of no confidence against the cabinet.
Slovakia’s Beneš decree dispute reopens old wounds, and new political calculations
Slovakia’s debate over the Beneš decrees resurfaces grievances about postwar property rights while serving new aims in domestic political bargaining.
Polexit – a little more than a bad joke
Support for EU membership in Poland remains high, but the share of those who would favour leaving the Union now exceeds 10 percent.
Press freedom in Central Europe: Rising in some places, falling in others
The media landscape in the V4 countries does not show a uniform picture, sending varying messages for potential investors as well.
Hungary, Slovakia resist EU's energy, budget reforms amid growing east-west schism
Hungary and Slovakia have emerged as the most vocal opponents of two of the EU’s most consequential reform proposals: plans to phase out Russian energy imports and to overhaul the bloc’s long-term budget to prioritise defence, climate and digital transition. EU mulls ban of new Russian energy contracts
Hungary proposes law to blacklist foreign-funded NGOs, media
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party submitted on Tuesday, 13 May a bill that would allow the government to monitor, penalise and potentially ban organisations receiving foreign funding and categorised as threats to national sovereignty. The draft law would expand the powers of the Sovereignty Protection
Centrist takes first round of Poland’s presidential election, to face nationalist in runoff vote
Centrist Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski narrowly won in the first round of Poland’s presidential election, setting up a closely contested runoff on 1 June. With 99.75% of votes counted, Trzaskowski, backed by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist Civic Coalition (KO) secured 31.3% on 18 May
Dan wins Romanian presidency, calming EU fears over ultranationalist Simion
Independent pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan won Romania’s presidential election on Sunday, 18 May, defeating far-right challenger George Simion in a runoff vote. The result represents a holding of the political centre after months of polarised campaigning, easing tensions in Brussels and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Dan secured 53.
China's BYD makes Budapest regional HQ
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD on 15 May signed an agreement with the Hungarian government to relocate its European headquarters to Budapest's 11th District, alongside two major research and development projects. The announcement marks the latest phase in BYD's European expansion. Hungary's government
Regardless of election result, Simion's appeal to 'left behind' has reshaped Romanian politics - CET analysis
First they laughed off George Simion as a fringe agitator. Now, with a commanding first-round lead behind him, the ultranationalist is one step away from Romania’s presidency. His opponent on 18 May, Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, is racing to unite the fractured political centre to stop him. Romania'
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, it announced on Friday, 9 May. Ukrainian authorities claim Hungary was collecting sensitive military data with an eye on a possible future incursion into western Ukraine. The SBU said