A collection of 140 posts
Austria’s centre-right People’s Party (OVP), centre-left Social Democrats (SPO) and centrist, liberal NEOs have now finalised a coalition pact after a five-month political impasse and two rounds of failed negotiations. Members of the NEOs voted 94% in favour of a coalition deal on Sunday, 2 March, clearing the
One of the most disappointing characteristics of our 21st Century is that while we live in a high-tech world, billions are still struggling under cruel political systems. Our century has seen many attempts to dethrone dictators. Surprisingly few prevailed. One exception was Ukraine, which overthrew Russian influence in February 2014,
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 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
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged European countries to increase defence expenditures in alignment with the official 2% of GDP target for NATO members, as frequently cited by US President Donald Trump. Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Tusk emphasised that the EU’s survival depends on its
US President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday, 20 January, broke with tradition and extended invitations to political leaders. However, footage of former Poland prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki attempting to cross a barricade into the ceremony site by showing US National Guard members his Wikipedia page, which went viral
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 Constitutional Court (CCR) annulled the country’s presidential election on Friday, 6 December after the emergence of evidence of Russian interference in the lead-up to the first-round vote late last month. Pro-Russian ultranationalist candidate and political newcomer Calin Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round of voting on 24
Romania’s presidential election race delivered a shock result on Sunday, 24 November, as far-right, pro-Russia independent Calin Georgescu won the first round with 22.9% support, with 97.48% of the votes counted. The positive result for Georgescu defied exit polls – and has rocked the country – after the relative
As Donald Trump officially declared his victory in the US election, he received congratulations from numerous Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) leaders including Polish President Andrzej Duda and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. However, CEE politicians and observers are now wondering what the leadership change in Washington will bring, as
European leaders committed to developing a defence industry base and enhancing EU competitiveness at an informal European Council summit in the Hungarian capital last week. Summit at pivotal moment for US, EU politics The two days of meetings in Budapest came the same week as Donald Trump’s victory in
The EU and the Republic of Korea formalised a comprehensive Security and Defence Partnership in Seoul, on Monday, 4 November, days after North Korea (DPRK) sent some 10,000 troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine. Strengthening dialogue, co-operation Acknowledging the growing threat of cyber and hybrid warfare, the EU
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, no stranger to political brinkmanship, went all in on Donald Trump’s election victory: a win that was by no means assured when he paid a surprise visit to the US in July. Hungary currently holds the six-month rotating EU presidency, and Orban has repeatedly,
Moldovan President Maia Sandu defeated her pro-Russian rival Alexandr Stoianoglo by around 55% to 45% in the presidential second-round vote on Sunday, 3 November. While Stoianoglo was ahead in rural areas, the south, and the breakaway republic of Transnistria, pro-EU Sandu took Chisinau and other cities and was also the
In the wake of the parliamentary elections in Georgia held on 26 October 2024, international reactions ranged from congratulations to expressions of concern over the integrity of the electoral process. Doubts over the legitimacy of last weekend’s vote have placed the country at the centre of a geopolitical tug-of-war,