Central Europe / Features
COP28: Cities in the face of the rising tide
By 2050 an estimated 1bn people globally will be living in coastal areas, which are already threatened by rising tides.
Ukraine EU accession talks will be "difficult", European Council President Michel says
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, predicts that the December summit on Ukraine's accession to the EU will be “difficult".
EBRD survey reveals surprising surge in life satisfaction in Emerging Europe
In the last seven years, Emerging Europe has grappled with pandemic, war and a cost of living crisis. So why did people get happier?
Fico's opposition to arming Ukraine is just for domestic consumption
Potential deals for Smer’s business backers look likely to outweigh any concerns the incoming Slovak premier may have about stoking the war in Ukraine.
INTERVIEW: Green transition must be a just transition, says EBRD chief economist
EBRD research shows majority in transition countries believe climate change will severely affect the children of today, but fewer people are willing to pay to address the climate emergency.
Kallas looks for an international way out as domestic sharks circle
Estonia's opposition smells blood as prime minister is battered by personal scandal and economic woes.
PPF hunts for opportunities in Balkans as it retreats west
Czech financial group is in the process of selling or scaling down its once sizeable consumer credit operations in Russia, China and Southeast Asia.
INTERVIEW: Andrew Michta, director of the Scowcroft Strategy Initiative
“If we find ourselves in a situation where Ukraine is cut off financially and runs out of resources, if we force Ukraine into some sort of frozen conflict or armistice, that is a victory for Putin.”
Polish hauliers' border blockade becoming a new flashpoint between Warsaw and Kyiv
Thousands of trucks are stuck at the crossing after Polish haulage workers launched protests under the banner of the "Committee for Defence of Truckers and Employers in Logistics."
Hungary ready to make concessions with EU to widen fiscal room
Prime Minister Viktor Orban is increasingly desperate to tap EU funding to climb out of recession and help close Hungary's worrying budget deficit.
Slovaks question support for Ukraine as fatigue grows
Robert Fico’s victorious Smer party questions aid for refugees and pledges “not a single round” of bullets for Ukraine.
Yesterday’s Belarussian heroes become today’s foes in Lithuania
Rightwing politicians now argue Belarussians should be treated more like Russians than Ukrainians when they come to the country.
Poland’s ruling PiS begins to falter just days before pivotal election
Victory of Civic Coalition leader Donald Tusk will depend on performance of smaller Left and Third Way groupings.
String of resignations forces Slovenian PM to rethink strategy
Expanded government installed to carry out reforms proves less effective in crisis mode after devastating floods strike Slovenia.
Hungary looks to partner with France’s Vinci to buy back Budapest Airport
The French group’s involvement follows intensified cooperation between France and Hungary in the field of energy.
Poland's Law and Justice mounts vicious campaign to retain power
Jaroslaw Kaczynski's radical rightwing party accuses centrist opposition of treachery as it seeks an unprecedented third consecutive term.
Digital propaganda revolution dominates Slovak election campaign
President Zuzana Caputova has been repeatedly warning that her country is in an “information storm”.
Slovak election goes right down to the wire
Slovaks head to the polls on September 30 in an early election that is both vital for the country’s future and perhaps the future of Central Europe.
Slovak strongman Robert Fico follows the Orban playbook
Opponents warn that if Fico wins this weekend's election he will follow Hungarian strongman Viktor Orban’s playbook by hollowing out the country’s democracy and cosying up to the Kremlin, making Slovakia another European renegade.
INTERVIEW: Michal Simecka, Progressive Slovakia leader
Liberal leader says populist rival Robert Fico would become Hungarian strongman Viktor Orban's partner in pushing Russian interests inside the EU.