Central Europe
Czech analyst: Eastern Europeans have lost faith in the EU
When countries in Central and Eastern Europe joined the EU, their expectations were high. Above all, they thought that they would quickly reach a Western standard living, Irah Kučerová told EURACTIV Czech Republic.
Hungary set for another ‘national consultation’ targeting Soros
Hungary is set to launch another "national consultation" about US financier and philanthropist George Soros, the government said on Tuesday (19 September), paving the way for fresh attacks on the man portrayed as the public enemy before next year's elections.
Trans-Europe Express: Pre-war Europe blues
The cynicism of was undeniable. Just as the Commission announced it was taking the second step in an infringement procedure against Poland over the reform of its justice system, legal experts associated with the PiS government announced that the country could still demand reparations from Germany for its occupation during World War Two.
Czech interior minister: ‘Nobody has to call us for solidarity’
The Czech Republic has not relocated a refugee for more than a year and remains in breach of its legal obligations. The Czech position remains the same despite the ruling of the Court of Justice supporting the Commission's migrant relocation policy. EURACTIV.cz reports.
Paris and Berlin don’t take Juncker’s ‘Union of equality’ seriously
European officials made positive comments on Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’ s State of the Union speech on Wednesday (13 September), but several said he would face stiff opposition for countering "multi-speed Europe" by encouraging all states to join the euro.
State of the Union: Juncker snubs Poland, overwhelms Romania, Bulgaria
Pro-European EU members Bulgaria and Romania were overwhelmed with attention in Commission President’s Jean-Claude Juncker State of the Union speech today (13 September). In contrast, Poland, l‘enfant terrible of the EU, was not mentioned a single time.
Poland, Commission clash in top court over ancient forest
The European Union executive asked the bloc's top court yesterday (11 September) to fine Poland for violating a ban on logging in an ancient forest, but Warsaw said it was only trying to preserve unique woods.
Orban denounces ‘violence’ of EU relocation plan
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government committed acts of obvious violence against migrants before the country isolated itself behind a border wall, accused the EU of “violence” in imposing a plan to relocate migrants.
Zahradil: Visegrád must be firm vis-à-vis Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron is applying a divide and rule strategy against the Visegrád Group, Czech lawmaker Jan Zahradil told EURACTIV.cz.
Polish PM accuses Macron of pursuing ‘protectionism’ in EU
Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło accused French President Emmanuel Macron of "trying to introduce protectionism" on Wednesday (6 September) amid a clash over his proposals to overhaul a controversial EU rule on sending workers abroad.
Poland warns multi-speed Europe could spawn ‘more Brexits’
Polish President Andrzej Duda warned on Tuesday (5 September) that a multi-speed Europe could spawn "more Brexits" and the breakdown of the EU, after powerful eurozone members like France and Germany backed the model.
Timmermans to Poland: ‘We are still open to dialogue’
European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans discussed the rule of law in Poland with members of the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee on Thursday (31 August). EURACTIV Poland reports.
Report: German legal experts say Poland has no right to WW2 reparations
German parliamentary legal experts, reacting to calls by some Polish politicians, have ruled that Warsaw has no right to demand Berlin pay reparations for World War Two, according to a document obtained by a German newspaper.
Pre-election Prague says solar power too expensive
Producers of solar electricity should pay higher taxes, according to the Czech government. The sector says it is being politicised before the elections. EURACTIV.cz reports.
Romania to withdraw Rosia Montana UNESCO application
Two years ago, Romanians decided not to host Europe’s largest gold mine and filed for world heritage protection under UNESCO. In a new turn of events, Bucharest is now withdrawing its application in view of a settlement with the Canadian mining company owning the site, writes Claudia Ciobanu.
Czech committee recommends letting police charge PM candidate Babis
A Czech parliamentary committee recommended on Wednesday (30 August) that lawmakers should lift the immunity of Andrej Babiš, the leader of the most popular party and candidate for prime minister, and allow police to charge him with subsidy fraud.
Poland sticking to its ‘zero-refugee’ policy
While migrant relocations reached record levels this year (peaking in June with over 3,000) Poland and Hungary remained steadfast in their refusal to participate in EU-mandated resettlement efforts. EURACTIV Poland reports.
Czechs in favour of deeper integration, but shun the euro
The Czech Republic wants to be in the EU’s “core”, but without the common currency. Prague wants to focus on common defence instead. EURACTIV.cz reports.
Macron courts EU’s eastern leaders over posted workers, antagonises Poland
Snubbing Poland, French President Emmanuel Macron is touring eastern EU countries to gather support for tightening EU rules over the employment of cheap labour in other member states. But Warsaw said it would oppose this reform “to the very end”.
Washington congratulates Lithuania for receiving first LNG shipment from US
The State Department congratulated Lithuania on Wednesday (23 August) for receiving the first shipment of liquified natural gas from the US. The move follows Donald Trump’s visit to Warsaw last month, where he promoted American LNG exports.
Poland to allocate additional $55 billion on defence amid Russia fears
Poland will allocate an additional 200 billion zlotys (€46.6 billion) on defence over the next 15 years to modernize its army amid signs of growing aggression from Russia, a deputy defence minister said.
Macron versus Eastern Europe
The French president has found a scapegoat in temporary workers from Eastern Europe, making the same mistake as the UK in the lead up to Brexit, writes Antonia Colibasanu.
Czechs may seek observer seat at beefed-up Eurogroup
The Czech Republic may try to get an observer seat at the Eurogroup of eurozone finance ministers if its decision-making powers are boosted under plans to reshape the European Union, the foreign minister said on Monday (21 August).
Slovak minister under pressure in coalition row over EU funds
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Wednesday that (16 August) he wants to replace the Education Minister Peter Plavčan, who is a member of junior coalition partner the Slovak National Party (SNS), over alleged mismanagement of EU subsidies in his department.