About: oligarchs
Borissov fends off ‘kompromats’, says will sleep with a gun
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov called an extraordinary meeting of his GERB party (EPP-affiliated) on Wednesday (17 June) to refute a leaked recording and photos suggesting heavy-handed brinkmanship and corruption.
Lack of rule of law threatens Bulgaria’s economic recovery
According to the World Bank, it turns out to be easier to do business in post-Soviet Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia than in EU member Bulgaria, writes Joël Ruet. Joël Ruet is the chairman of The Bridge Tank As...
EPP proposes law to protect small farmers against oligarchs
The European People's Party group called on Wednesday (13 May) for an EU law to prevent oligarchs and land-grabbers drawing on EU subsidies at the expense of small and medium-sized farming businesses. The practice is widespread in countries in Eastern Europe and Italy.
Challenging Bulgarian coal plants’ new waste burning obsession
On Monday (March 2), a European and a Bulgarian non-governmental organisation, ClientEarth and “For Earth – Access to Justice”, are filing a complaint with the European Commission in an attempt to challenge Bulgaria’s new obsession of burning waste in coal...
Zelenskiy signals government reshuffle as experts warn against reform backpedal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signaled a potential reshuffle of his government on Wednesday (26 February) that local media said could include axing Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk in favor of businessman and veteran politician Serhiy Tihipko.
Poroshenko fights selective justice ‘at the orders of Zelenskiy’
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is fighting a court decision to have him brought in by force for questioning by the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI). Poroshenko's lawyers and his party said this latest development illustrates what the West calls “selective justice” in Ukraine.
Ukraine to change law on bank insolvency in bid for IMF loans
Ukraine is finalising changes to legislation on bank insolvency in consultation with the International Monetary Fund as part of efforts by Kyiv to secure a new loan programme, a senior state official told Reuters.
Media-shy Czech mogul buys TV empire spanning five EU countries
The PPF investment group owned by Petr Kellner, who keeps a low profile despite being the Czech Republic's wealthiest man, said Monday (28 October) it had sealed a deal for the CME media group running 30 TV stations in five Central European states.
Ukrainian oligarch linked to Zelenskiy suffers blow in London court
Ukraine’s new President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hardly expected to become a protagonist in a possible impeachment of his US colleague Donald Trump. On top of that, his name has now also appeared in the press in relation to a London court case of possible financial malpractice involving billions of dollars.
Zelenskiy’s Ukraine: Greenhorn challenge
Balázs Jarábik looks into the stakes of Sunday’s (21 July) Ukraine parliamentary elections, in which President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party rides high. Uncertainty prevails as to how he will deliver once he gets to power, Jarábik writes.
Thousands in Tbilisi demand Georgia’s de-oligarchisation
Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied on Monday (24 June) in the Georgian capital for the fifth consecutive day as the increasingly unpopular ruling party's promise of sweeping reforms failed to appease mass demonstrations.
Georgian protesters slam ‘Putinism’, raise pressure on ruling oligarch
Several thousand anti-government protesters took to the streets of the Georgian capital Tbilisi for a fourth day on Sunday (24 June) as tensions rose between Moscow and its ex-Soviet neighbour.
EU should prevent any disruption of Ukrainian elections
Incumbent Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s supporters are trying to portray opponent Volodymyr Zelenskiy as pro-Russian. But there is no evidence of his “pro-Russianness”, and he has explicitly backed plans to join NATO and the EU, writes Oleg Sukhov.
Comedian takes centre stage in Ukraine’s presidential race
In a popular Ukrainian TV series, comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy plays a president who is scrupulously honest and outwits crooked lawmakers and shadowy businessmen who try to stand in his way.
EU and Ukraine in tug of war over Naftogaz unbundling
The European Commission has repeated its insistence on breaking up the Ukrainian national gas and oil monopoly Naftogaz, separating transmission from production and supply, which the country had agreed to as a condition for receiving massive Western financing.
Cyprus to cap its ‘golden visa’ program
Stung by criticism it has been selling European Union passports for cash, Cyprus has tightened vetting procedures in a scheme that grants Cypriot citizenship to investors, the finance minister said yesterday (22 May).
Gazprom CEO Miller says proud of inclusion on US sanctions list
The CEO of Russia's Gazprom , Alexei Miller, said on Friday (6 April) he was proud of having been included on a new US sanctions list and that the company's policies were right.
Russian oligarchs create political party in Cyprus
Russian oligarchs who have acquired Cypriot citizenship have created a new political party in Cyprus, which supports further UN talks on the future of the divided island and aims to take part in the next European elections in 2019.
Three risks and three scenarios for Ukraine
Between 2014 and 2017, Ukraine's leadership failed to transform the country's old post-Soviet Russia oligarchic system into a European and Western-style democracy. The transformation is inefficient and slow, and this entails risk, writes Roman Rukomeda.
Billionaire Czech politician leading polls rules out joining euro
The Czech Republic should not adopt the euro because it would "bring nothing good," former finance minister Andrej Babis, the front-runner in October's general election, said in an interview today (1 June).
Russian activist: If Putin regains Ukraine, the Baltics are next
Vladimir Putin's strategy is to install pro-Moscow politicians in Ukraine. If Europe consents, his next stop will be the Baltic countries, with NATO incapable of defending them, which will put an end to the organisation, Ilya Yashin told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.
Euronews journalists, technicians clash with management
Euronews journalists passed a no-confidence vote in the broadcasters’ management and adopted a statement saying that their media could no longer be seen as an independent and balanced voice.
Billionaire Czech minister’s party warns government coalition could end
The second-biggest party in the Czech government warned its partners yesterday (21 March) that the ruling coalition could crumble if deputies support legislation aimed at limiting politicians' ownership in private companies.