Czech Republic

Moody’s assigns negative outlook to Czech CEZ after Gasnet takeover

bne IntelliNews March 27, 2024

The Gasnet acquisition comes amid the efforts of the Czech state to gain a stronger footing in the energy infrastructure and diversification from its dependency on Russian energy supplies.

COMMENT: Overheating in Russia and Turkey, but CEE recovering

Ben Aris in Berlin March 27, 2024

The economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), which experienced a period of stagnation last year, are poised for a modest revival in 2024, but both the Russian and Turkish economies are already overheating.

Penta mulls sale of Fortuna gambling chain

Albin Sybera March 22, 2024

Central Europe's largest betting company reportedly valued at up to €2bn.

CEZ net profits more than halve in 2023 to CZK29.6bn

Robert Anderson in Prague March 21, 2024

CEZ also confirmed that it signed an agreement to buy 55% of Gasnet, the largest Czech gas distribution company, for €846.5mn.

A surprise EU proposal to expand agricultural ”emergency brake” import restrictions will cost Ukraine €1.7bn

Ben Aris in Berlin March 19, 2024

EU countries have overnight agreed to impose new restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural imports that will cost the cash strapped country €1.7bn and hurt its ability to fight the war against Russia.

KYIV BLOG: EU finalises €5bn Ukraine Peace Fund contribution that will see little new money sent to Kyiv

bne IntelliNews March 18, 2024

EU ambassadors agreed to back a new €5bn Ukraine Assistance Fund on March 13, part of the EU's off-budget European Peace Facility (EPF) that is used to partially reimburse member countries for the weapons they provide to Ukraine.

Europe has €56bn shortfall to meet Nato 2% of GDP spending pledge

bne IntelliNews March 18, 2024

European nations within Nato are facing a €56bn shortfall in meeting the alliance's defence spending pledge of 2% of GDP this year, the Financial Times reported on March 16.

Poland revives ties with Berlin and Paris in push to help Ukraine

Wojciech Kosc in Warsaw. March 18, 2024

The underlying premise of the summit was to acknowledge that stopping Russia in Ukraine now will come at a much smaller cost than having to stop it later at the EU's gates.

Czech giga factory greenlighted by environmental organisations

Albin Sybera March 14, 2024

Czechia has one of the world's largest car-making industries per capita, but it is struggling to transition to electro-mobility without a battery plant.

Tusk schedules Ukraine summit with Macron and Scholz

Wojciech Kosc in Warsaw March 14, 2024

The so-called Weimar Triangle has sprung back to life under the Polish premier after an eight-year lull under the previous government of Law and Justice.

Ukraine becomes world's 4th largest arms importer, European imports soar

bne IntelliNews March 12, 2024

European arms imports were up by 94% in 2019-23, as Ukraine's allies send military aid while also arming themselves, says new SIPRI report.

Record Czech poll support for ANO as its leader adopts Kremlin-appeasing narrative

Albin Sybera March 12, 2024

Leaked emails reveals how former premier wanted to target foreign minister's family.

Czech unemployment remains at 4% in February

Albin Sybera March 11, 2024

The Czech unemployment rate remained at 4% in February, unchanged month-on-month. In year-on-year terms, it increased by 0.1%.

Closing gender gap in workforce could double global growth rate says World Bank

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow March 8, 2024

Countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia have a lower gender gap than the global average but only Latvian women have equal legal standing with men.

Czech president says finance for Ukraine ammunition secured

Albin Sybera March 8, 2024

Czech initiative to buy ammunition from third countries follows failure of EU to provide promised 1mn rounds from within the bloc.

Macron doubles down on idea of using Nato troops in Ukraine

Robert Anderson in Prague March 6, 2024

French president for a "strategic leap" in Western thinking on help to Kyiv.

Central Europe's top security conference moves to Prague amid pressure from Slovak cabinet

Albin Sybera March 6, 2024

Robert Fico's government is targeting Slovakia's strong roster of think-tanks, which he argues is part of the opposition campaign against him.

Slovak TV Markiza said to be scaling down politics in news

Albin Sybera March 4, 2024

The reported editorial changes allegedly follow pressure from the new left-right government of Robert Fico, who has labelled the station an "enemy media".

Czech PMI inches upwards in February

bne IntelliNews March 4, 2024

The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for Czechia, compiled by market intelligence company S&P Global, inched upwards in February to 44.3 amid some positive signs in the struggling manufacturing sector.

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