Brussels faces the uncomfortable question of how to respond when one member state becomes a safe haven for politicians accused of corruption in another. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has once again stepped in to shield a Polish political ally from possible imprisonment – but this time, the implications are...
Greek lawmakers approve introduction of 13-hour workday
According to the labor minister, this provision will be valid for a maximum of 37 days per year, approximately three days per month and will be voluntary. Greece's parliament approved a government-backed bill allowing people to work 13-hour days, despite fierce objections from trade unions and opposition parties. Unions have...
North Macedonia risks EU funding freeze amid bribe scandal
The opposition warns that the revelations could jeopardize the country's access to €128 million in EU funds, essential for modernizing agriculture North Macedonia’s government is grappling with a deepening crisis after a major corruption scandal erupted at the Agency for financial support of agriculture and rural development (AFSARD). The opposition...
Germany Plans Extra $3.4B Euros in Ukraine Military Aid in 2026
Germany plans to raise its military aid to Ukraine by three billion euros ($3.4 billion) next year to around 11.5 billion euros ($13.2 billion) to support its battle against Russia, the finance ministry said Tuesday. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil “will introduce a further three billion euros in support for Ukraine into the...
A natural phenomenon in Hungary could slightly shrink the country
A striking-and at the same time instructive-natural process is currently taking place in Hungary: a new oxbow lake could soon form at one of the Ipoly River's bends in the Hont region. This change is not only a scenic curiosity but also of geographical significance, as this section of the...
NATO countries to allocate $60 billion to support Ukraine in 2026
The EU is gearing up to extend a bridge loan, aimed at bridging the funding shortfall until a mechanism is finalized for tapping into Russia's froze assets. In 2026, NATO countries will allocate $60 billion to support Ukraine in addition to the so-called NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package provides for several...
Serbia’s Parliament fast-tracks Jared Kushner’s controversial Belgrade luxury project
The real estate investment has been hailed by President Aleksandar Vučić as a "magnificent" boost to economic ties with the U.S. Serbia’s parliament adopted a special law (“lex specialis”) on 7 November, aimed at accelerating the redevelopment of the bombed-out former Yugoslav Army headquarters in central Belgrade into a $500...
Media freedom in the Balkans: in several cases, Brussels warns of “backsliding”
The European Commission’s enlargement reports paint a grim picture for freedom of expression and media across most EU candidate countries. Despite some progress in countries such as Montenegro and Ukraine, the European Commission’s latest enlargement reports paint a grim picture for freedom of expression and media across most EU candidate...
U.S. grants Hungary exemption on Russia sanctions after warm Trump-Orbán meeting
Both leaders pointedly blamed the European Union and the previous U.S. administration for prolonging the war in Ukraine The United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions for using Russian oil and gas, a White House official said on Friday (7 November), after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor...
Sanctioned Magnitsky oligarch engineers Bulgarian parliament probe into Soros
The developments unfold despite the fact that two of the three current deputy prime ministers worked at the Open Society Foundation, founded by George Soros. The Bulgarian parliament has set up a temporary commission to investigate the activities of George Soros, his son Alexander, and their foundations operating in the...