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...
Politics
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
Rama set to retain power in Albania election
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has claimed victory in Albania’s parliamentary election on Sunday, 11 May, after exit polls showed his...
Bosnia’s EU accession requires pro-EU coalition – high representative
The EU can formally begin accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) when a stable and pro-European coalition has been formed,...
Estonia climbs to second in global press freedom rankings, Czechia makes top ten
Estonia has surged to second place in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, its best-ever result and the highest ranking among...
Far-right Simion wins first round of Romania’s presidential rerun, to face Bucharest mayor in runoff vote
Far-right leader George Simion surged to a clear lead in the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun, taking 40.9% of...
Polish PM declares national strategy to lead CEE, as nation celebrates 1,000th anniversary
Poland has launched a new national doctrine aimed at establishing the country as the dominant military and economic power in Central...
Single market is not single, and it’s costing us all
The EU’s internal market is still falling short of its founding promise. Despite decades of integration, consumers across member states face...
Trump tariffs split EU as Hungary seeks exemption
Hungary has broken ranks with the EU in response to the US's new tariffs policy, as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban...
CEE leaders weigh in on security, expansion, energy at Antalya forum
Attendees from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) nations including Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova and others discussed policy priorities...
CEE leads EU raw materials drive as EU selects strategic mining projects
The European Commission (EC) has chosen 47 strategic projects across the EU to reduce critical raw material dependency, with Czechia, Estonia,...
Vucic names academic as PM candidate, as demonstrators take protest to Strasbourg
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic nominated political newcomer Duro Macut, a 62-year-old endocrinologist and university professor, to serve as the country’s next...
Serbia, Hungary deepen defence, energy ties
When Croatia, Albania and Kosovo recently formed a new military alliance, Serbia and Hungary followed suit, reshaping the security situation in...
Far-right candidate leads in polls ahead of Romania presidential election rerun
Romania will hold fresh presidential elections on 4 May, after its Constitutional Court annulled November's vote, citing Russian interference. However, the...
Trump-Putin detente could revive Nord Stream 2
The US and Russia are discussing the potential reopening of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, raising significant concerns across Europe,...