EU races to win Belgian backing for โฌ140B Ukraine loan
The European Commission will try on Friday to assuage Belgium’s concerns over the legal and financial risks of repurposing Russian assets.
๐ธ๐ฐ Slovakia
Ukraine war briefing: Bulgaria moves to seize Russian refinery while Poland seeks to be US gas conduit
Lukoilโs Burgas plant is Bulgariaโs only refinery; Slovakia running out of reasons to buy Russian gas as US import deal takes shape. What we know on day 1,352Bulgaria is preparing to seize control of Lukoilโs Burgas oil refinery and sell it to a new ow…
EU countries agree weakened 2040 climate goal and target for COP30ย
The deal avoids the EU going empty handed to the COP30 climate summit starting on Nov. 10.
Czech prosecutor to be EUโs new anti-fraud chief
Petr Klement gets top job at critical watchdog.
Czech populist Babiลก sets sights on EU green rules
Government coalition program says EU Green Deal “is unsustainable in its current form.”
Incoming Czech government signals reversal on EU climate and migration policies
Led by Andrej Babiลก, the new Czech coalition is aligning closer with Hungary and Slovakia, pledging constitutional protection for the crown, state control of energy, and a hardline stance on asylum
Donโt worry, Slovaks, youโre allowed to run for the bus
Slovak police clarifies the 6 kilometers per hour rule for sidewalks will apply mainly to people on bikes, scooters, roller skates and skateboards.
Poland, Hungary and Slovakia defy Brussels as Ukraine trade deal takes effect
The Commission wouldn’t rule out taking the countries to court for banning Ukrainian imports just as the EUโs updated deal with Kyiv takes effect.
No, there is no โspeed limitโ for pedestrians in Slovakia
Many internet users and international news outlets have mistakenly assumed that the law sets a speed limit for pedestrians
Fico faces pressure to tighten Slovakiaโs crime laws
According to the country’s general prosecutor, the new system fails to achieve its deterrent or rehabilitative goals
Slovakia adopts speed limit for pedestrians
Power walking will soon be illegal in Slovakia as law changes to prevent sidewalk accidents.
Hungary worst for rule of law in EU, new report says
While Budapest received the worst marks for justice in the bloc, Russia and the U.S. led a broader global retreat from the rule of law in 2025.
EU plays hardball: If you wonโt seize Russiaโs cash, open your wallets
The idea of joint European borrowing is rejected by most of the bloc’s governments. That’s why the Commission is using it as leverage to get them to approve the use of Moscow’s assets.
Hungary plans anti-Ukraine bloc with Czechia, Slovakia
Budapest wants to boost its political alliances in Brussels, Viktor Orbรกn’s political director says.
Slovakia’s Robert Fico is in talks with Viktor Orbรกn about his party joining Patriots
Viktor Orbรกn’s political advisor, Balรกzs Orbรกn, told Euronews that the two Prime Ministers are holding discussions for his SMER party to join the Patriots for Europe. If Fico joins, the Patriots could add two new Prime Ministers, including Babis from t…
Hungaryโs Orbรกn vows to โcircumventโ US sanctions on Russian oil titans
“The battle is not over yet,” Hungarian prime minister says, teeing up a possible fight with the White House.
Europeans deserve better
The EU has finally approved the 19th package of sanctions against Russia. EU leaders meeting in Brussels for the autumn Council are feeling very self-congratulatory for this achievement, which was held up for weeks by Slovakia. They really shouldn̵…
Trump does what Brussels couldnโt: Kill Russian oil in Europe
New U.S. sanctions will be “catastrophic” for Lukoil’s operations across the continent, warns former company executive.
29 things we learned from the EU leadersโ summit
A packed agenda promised a summit of fireworks. Nothing really took off.
A POLITICO bad boy? Me?! cries Belgian PM De Wever
The Brussels leader was aghast he’d been bracketed alongside Robert Fico and Viktor Orbรกn.
Ukraine and EU cheer Trumpโs sanctions on Russian oil
“The beauty of this decision is its comprehensiveness,” says Ukraine’s sanctions envoy.
11 things to watch at the EU leadersโ summit
From the climate to critical minerals to Russia’s frozen assets, the agenda of Thursday’s European Council is jam-packed.
Slovakia lifts veto on latest Russia sanctions
The decision comes on the eve of a crucial meeting of European leaders that will seek to stress the EU’s support for Ukraine.
EU poised to agree new Russia sanctions, as Slovakia backs down
Slovak PM Robert Fico appears to be satisfied he’s got enough concessions on green laws from his EU counterparts
Czechย foreign minister blasts election winner Babiลกย asย Orbรกnโs โpuppetโ
Jan Lipavskรฝ told POLITICO he’s worried Czechia will be diminished on the world stage under likely incoming PM Andrej Babiลก.
The bad boys who could derail EU summit
Whatcha gonna do when they veto you?
Slovak PM Fico open to backing 19th Russia sanctions package โ with conditions
Fico said he would discuss the issue with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz late on Wednesday evening
Gunman-poet who shot Slovakiaโs Fico handed 21 years in prison
The Slovak PM survived the 2024 shooting after emergency surgery.
Fico shooter sentenced to 21 years for terrorism
As he was escorted from the courtroom, the man described the verdict as โunfairโ
Czechia offers gas lifeline to Slovakia as EU advances Russian ban
Bratislava holds out on Russian gas ban, but Prague says the alternatives are ready
The 3 fault lines emerging on kidsโ social media ban
Countries are not yet on the same page about how to protect children from the harms of the online world.
Ukraineโs allies rush to bolster Zelenskyy amid fears over Trump-Putin deal
After Ukraineโs leader struck out at the White House last Friday, his European friends will try to strengthen his hand before itโs too late.ย
Pour la premiรจre fois, un sommet europรฉen pour enrayer la montรฉe de lโextrรชme droite
Logement, rรฉgulation des rรฉseaux sociaux, immigration, dรฉfense… Autant de sujets sur lesquels vont plancher les responsables politiques pour freiner la progression des populistes.
EU plans next Russia sanctions, while current package is blocked
Hungary says it will not block the 19th package, but Slovakia’s veto remains
EU pushes Slovak PM Fico to lift veto on new Russia sanctions package
The latest conclusions from the upcoming EU summit add more detailed references to energy prices and the automotive sector, the two issues that Slovak PM Robert Fico had raised as condition for lifting his veto.
EU energy ministers back Russian energy ban from 2028
EU ministers voted a European Commission proposal to ban Russian energy products but landlocked countries like Hungary and Slovakia will be exempt over concerns linked to supply security.
European Union to phase out Russian gas imports by end of 2027
The European Union will phase out all Russian gas imports by the end of next year, the blocโs energy ministers agreed on Monday. Although diplomats said that Hungary and Slovakia โ which are diplomatically closer to the Kremlin and still import Russia…
When populists win in Prague, thatโs nothing peculiarly โeast Europeanโ. Itโs the new normal of the western world | Timothy Garton Ash
The likely new Czech government will add one more state opposed to the EUโs green deal and migration and asylum pactIf you open your window on a quiet street in central Prague, the first sound you hear is the trrrrk-trrrrk-trrrrk of carry-on suitcases …
EU countries move to pull plug on Russian gas to Hungary and Slovakia
The two Central European countries have long spurned a phaseout. Now, EU capitals are ready to overrule them.
Here comes the EUโs first anti-far-right European Council
Housing, social media regulation, migration and defense spending are all being used by the political mainstream to curb the march of populists.
The winners and losers of the European Socialistsโ big bash
As the dust settles after the congress of Europeโs second-largest political family, POLITICO takes a look at the successes and failures.
European Socialists expel Slovak PMโs party
Fico accused the Party of European Socialists of intolerance toward his governmentโs social conservatism
European Socialists expel Slovakian PM’s party for values breach
The move was widely expected as Smer was suspended in October 2023 after its leader Robert Fico formed a coalition government with anti-Ukrainian and eurosceptic overtones.
Romanian Foreign Minister backs Trumpโs push to fully wean EU off Russian energy
Neighbouring Slovakia and Hungary are resisting pressure from the Trump administration to suspend their purchases of Russian energy products.
Slovak PM vows to derail key EU summit
Populist leader Robert Fico said he intends to challenge a draft joint statement from the European Council and push for measures on energy prices and carmaking.
Robert Fico vetoes again EU sanctions against Russia, asks for new concessions
Slovakia and Austria have emerged as the remaining obstacles blocking a deal on a new round of EU sanctions against Russia.
Fico โnot interestedโ in Russia sanctions as Slovakia maintains veto on 19th package
The populist leader also expressed his โastonishmentโ that Kyivโs war effort is โbeing treated as the top priority topicโ at next weekโs EU summit
Slovak PM Fico eyes postponing local election, stirring unease among allies
Fico argues that local elections should โreflect what happens in the parliamentary voteโ
Commission names EU countries and partners getting help to plug into blocโs AI training hubs
As well as Belgium, Cyprus, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, and Slovakia, six non-EU countries received so-called “AI Antennas” โ including Switzerland and the UK
Populists win Czech election: Is the EU fractured as Russia asserts itself?
Elections in Europe are a rollercoaster these days. EU elites were relieved when the pro-EU camp won the parliamentary vote in Moldova, but the Czech legislative election turned out quite differently. Andrej Babiลก, a populist and self-proclaimed Trump…
Slovakiaโs anti-LGBTQ+ constitutional reform tests EU red lines
Domestically, the reform has also fractured Slovakiaโs opposition
The 5 tribes giving von der Leyen the biggest headaches
The let-down nature lovers Environmentalists and climate campaigners have been among the most disappointed in von der Leyen since the start of her second term in December. While the last European Commission, from 2019-2024, made the Green Deal โ with policies aimed at cutting emissions, improving biodiversity and transitioning to renewable energy โ a flagship [โฆ]
The EUโs worst nightmare has never looked so real
If the far right gains control of parliament in the EU’s second-largest country, Europe will fundamentally change.
EU pledges to crack down on conversion therapy, LGBTQ+ hate
Brussels wonโt hesitate to take EU countries to court if they breach peopleโs rights, equality commissioner warned.
Slovakiaโs Fico warns against Russian nuclear ban
Bratislava breaks ranks over EU plans to end Russian gas imports by 2028, with Fico calling the move โcomplete nonsenseโ
Commission nixes Slovak plan to subsidise energy bills with EU funds
Opposition lawmakers have accused Ficoโs government of using the subsidies as โpolitical corruptionโ ahead of next yearโs regional elections
Fico โproudโ to be expelled from European Socialists, hails Babiลกโs election win
Fico accused the European Socialists of punishing him for having โa different opinionโ
Ukraine war briefing: Snag for EUโs support of Kyiv after aid opponent wins Czech election
Andrej Babisโs pledge to halt military aid aligns him with PMs of Hungary and Slovakia; Cubans fight in their thousands for Russia, says US. What we know on day 1,321The prospect loomed of the EUโs support for Ukraine being further hampered by some of …
5 key takeaways from the Czech election
The path to the premiership is anything but straightforward for right-wing populist Andrej Babiลก, whose ANO movement won big in the parliamentary vote.
Ukraine war briefing: China providing Russia with intelligence on missile targets, Ukrainian official claims
Ukrainian intelligence official says โevidence of a high level of cooperation between Russia and China in conducting satellite reconnaissanceโ. What we know on day 1,320China is providing intelligence to Russia to enable Moscow to better launch missile…
Populist billionaire Andrej Babiลก wins Czech parliamentary election
With Babiลกโs victory the Czech Republic looks set to join Hungary and Slovakia in refusing support for UkrainePopulist billionaire Andrej Babiลก has won the Czech parliamentary election in a political comeback that puts the country on a course away from…
‘Trumpist’ billionaire Andrej Babis wins Czech parliamentary election
Populist, billionaire and self-proclaimed “Trumpist” Andrej Babis won the Czech parliamentary election Saturday in a political comeback that put the country on a course away from supporting Ukraine and toward Hungary and Slovakia, which have taken a p…
Party of populist Czech billionaire Andrej Babis wins parliamentary elections
Babis’s ANO (YES) movement won about 35% of the parliamentary vote on Saturday, steering the Czech Republic away from support for Ukraine and closer to Hungary and Slovakia’s pro-Russian stance.
EU subsidy fraud isnโt just a Greek problem, itโs everywhere, warns top prosecutor
Farm subsidies represent a third of the EU budget, which makes them a tempting target for corruption schemes.
From Nipple to San Escobar: A brief history of geography gaffes
For goodness sake, someone buy this man an atlas.
How to watch the Czech election like a pro
Here’s everything you need to know about the high-stakes vote that could catapult billionaire tycoon Andrej Babiลก back into office.
How the Czech rust belt echoes Americaโs populist shift
Agriculture tycoon Andrej Babiลก rides voter discontent back toward power in Prague.
Slovak PM Fico pulls out of Copenhagen summit citing post-assassination health issues
In Copenhagen, Fico was scheduled to attend the informal meeting of EU leaders and hold his first bilateral with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Slovakia marks โdark dayโ as LGBTQ+ rights rolled back in parliament
Amendment to constitution stipulates that male and female are the only recognised sexes and makes adoption nearly impossible for same-sex couplesRecent changes to Slovakiaโs constitution mark a โdark dayโ for the country, LGBTQ+ campaigners have warned…
5 things to watch for as EU leaders meet in Copenhagen
From building a โdrone wallโ on the EU’s eastern flank to bypassing Hungaryโs stonewalling of Ukraine, these are the blocโs most pressing priorities.
EU seeks to deploy Russiaโs frozen billions to boost European arms sales
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says a zero-interest reparations loan should be partly used “to strengthen our own defense industry.”
Will pivotal election turn Czech Republic into another anti-EU agitator?
ANO party, led by former PM Andrej Babiลก, is leading polls and may form a Eurosceptic and pro-Russia coalitionVoters in the Czech Republic go to the polls on 3 and 4 October in what protagonists and analysts describe as a pivotal parliamentary election…
Trump is failing Ukraine โ that will only change if he gets tough on Putin
If the U.S. president is serious about a ceasefire, escalatory measures may well be the only way to make it happen.
Germanyโs Pistorius pours cold water on drone wall concept
Repeated Russian incursions are increasing pressure on the EU and NATO to respond.
Slovakia signals possible defence cuts as Kalinak cites fiscal squeeze, downplays Russia threat
Facing questions over military funding, Slovakiaโs defence minister defended possible cuts by insisting the country isnโt at risk โ as long as it stays friendly with Moscow
Leaders press to reshape EU under Putinโs aggressive shadow
Wednesday’s Copenhagen summit is a step toward turning the EU into a military power. But the bloc isn’t united and the risks are great.
Brussels eyes loophole to isolate Hungary, send billions in Russian assets to Ukraine
EU legal experts are studying a way to get round the need for unanimity to send โฌ140 billion to Kyiv.
Slovakia passes law to recognise only two sexes and restrict adoption
Critics are warning the change would make life more difficult for LGBT people.
EU moves forward with drone wall
The European Commission still has to define the scheme’s technical and financial details.
Slovakia enshrines 2 genders in constitution
Fico government’s controversial move sets up clash with EU law.
Slovak PM Fico wins controversial vote on anti-LGBT constitutional changes
The approval of amendments also gives Slovak national law precedence over EU law
Slovak parliament approves constitutional changeย curbing rights of same-sex couples
Lawmakers in Slovakia have passed a constitutional change curbing the rights of same-sex couples and giving national law precedence over EU law. The country’s nationalist Prime Minister Robert Ficoย described the constitutional change as “a dam against…
Slovakia nears vote on constitution rewrite critics say undermines EU law
A planned constitutional rewrite has sparked alarm in Bratislava and Brussels alike, as critics warn a new sovereignty clause could let Slovakia sidestep EU law and international rulings
Top EU diplomat warns Trump that Europe canโt shoulder Ukraine war burden alone
UNITED NATIONS โ Europe alone is not responsible for helping Ukraine bring an end to its war with Russia, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas warned Thursday. That is particularly true when considering President Donald Trumpโs pledge to halt the fighting, she said in an interview on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. โHe was [โฆ]
Slovakia approves controversial fiscal package amid social backlash
Previous consolidation packages have already slowed Slovakiaโs economic growth
EU will propose tariffs on Russian oil amid growing pressure from Trump
Putting tariffs on Russian oil will make it increasingly expensive for Hungary and Slovakia to maintain their energy ties with Moscow.
EU food safety chief wants to fix โKafkaesqueโ rules on natural pesticides
In Germany and Austria, winegrowers can no longer use basic substances such as sodium bicarbonate because it is sold as a โlow-riskโ plant protection product. They are forced to buy the commercial version but at a higher price
Ending Russian energy ties is a political choice, says Lavtian president Rinkฤviฤs
Latvian President Edgars Rinkฤviฤs urged Hungary and Slovakia to โlisten to Trump,โ who is calling on European countries to stop importing Russian gas and oil as part of the EUโs push to end reliance on Vladimir Putinโs energy supplies.
Trump says heโll talk to EU countries about turning screws on Putin
The U.S. president also lambasted the Europeans for their migration policies and purchases of Russian oil.
Slovakia awaits vote on controversial consolidation package amid protests
Slovakiaโs ruling coalition faces mounting pressure as parliament prepares to vote on a sweeping austerity package, triggering rare unity between unions and employers and fuelling fresh street protests
Trump is waging culture war on Europe by promoting rightwing allies, report finds
Study says US president seeks to interfere in elections and โmove the ideological centre of gravityโ in European politicsThe Trump administration is waging a culture war on Europe by aggressively promoting the Maga movementโs political and ideological …
Pro-Russian disinformation swamps Czechia as election nears
If Andrej Babiลก wins he could well side with Putin-friendly EU leaders Orbรกn and Fico.
Brussels proposes 19th Russia sanctions package
Donald Trump wants the EU to โimmediatelyโ stop buying Russian energy
EU vows to deliver delayed 2035 climate target before COP30
Countries on Thursday agreed on a vague statement of intent in lieu of a new plan mandated by the Paris Agreement.ย
Ficoโs Smer vows to respond to looming expulsion from European socialist party
Smer-SD has been suspended from the PES since 2023
Slovak officials fuming at Czech minister for attending Bratislava protest
A Czech ministerโs appearance at an anti-government protest in Bratislava has sparked fury in Slovakia, deepening a diplomatic rift between the once closely aligned neighbours
Europeโs not immune to US-style political turmoil
A political doom loop of deepening polarization, partisan anger and violence seems to beckon โ and it may not be bound to one side of the Atlantic.
EU membership a form of security guarantee, Parliament chief tells Zelenskyy
Europe is stepping up efforts to boost defense spending.
โHe should be known as a film music revolutionaryโ: revitalising the legacy of Czech composer Zdenฤk Liลกka
The electroacoustic pioneer scored dozens of pictures โ and communist propaganda. Too successful to be persecuted by the politburo but largely forgotten when he died, his music is being revived by a new archival seriesZdenฤk Liลกka became one of the eas…
Thousands rally across Slovakia against economic and pro-Russian policies
Thousands of Slovaks rallied on Tuesday in 16 cities, including Bratislava, to protest the economic and pro-Russian policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. The nationwide demonstrations marked one of the largest shows of opposition since his …