The Left in Central Europe: A Wrong Turn
Across the region, the political left is struggling for survival and relevance, but small pockets of potential remain. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Democracy Digest: ‘Hungary’s Watergate’ as Intelligence Operation Alleged Against Opposition
Elsewhere, Brussels clears way for prosecution of Polish far-right MEP; scandal-tainted Kezmarok mayor accuses Slovak coalition of smear campaign; Czech authorities investigate attack on defence company warehouse as terrorism. KAYNAK:…
Who’s Afraid of Rosa Luxemburg? Poland’s Right Exploits History for Own Ends
A fight over a plaque on a building in Zamosc where murdered political activist Rosa Luxemburg was said to have been born shows how the past is being weaponised by…
Democracy Digest: Orban Refuses to Budge on EU Loan to Ukraine
Elsewhere, will JD Vance make an appearance in Budapest? Slovakia’s Arts Fund to withdraw funding for independent cultural centres; Polish government and opposition clash over EU carbon market; and Prague…
Anti-Democratic Trends Mean 65% of CEE Citizens Now Live in Electoral Autocracies: Report
Among the new ‘autocratizers’ are Croatia, Slovakia and Slovenia, says report compiled by V-Dem Institute in Sweden. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Poland’s President Vetoes EU Defence Loan Plan, Escalating Clash with Govt
Nawrocki’s veto has left the financing of one of Europe’s most ambitious military build-ups tied to the next move in Poland’s institutional standoff. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Democracy Digest: Poland’s PiS Names Hardliner as PM Candidate to Shore Up Right
Elsewhere, Hungary and Slovakia see fallout from surging fuel prices; extremist Slovak activist convicted; Czech Television presenter quits over fears about editorial independence; and Orban shelved major plan to overhaul…
Poland’s Military Boom Is Running on Borrowed Money – and Borrowed Time
Poland is financing the “strongest land army in Europe” on debt, shrinking personnel and a repayment schedule that collides with the very years NATO expects the threat from Russia to…
Democracy Digest: Poland in Talks with France on European Nuclear Deterrence
Elsewhere, Hungary’s foreign minister meets Putin just 5 weeks before election; Slovakia’s police inspectorate detains several officers linked to former anti-corruption agency; and Czech PM and far-right ally avoid having…
Democracy Digest: Hungary, Slovakia Step Up Pressure on Ukraine Over Oil Supplies
Elsewhere, Poland’s political cohabitation under strain as institutional clashes meet coalition fragility; Czech lower house to debate lifting parliamentary immunity of Babis and Okamura; Slovak coalition is working on changes…