September 7, 2026

Central Europe Watch

Hungary elects supreme court judge ousted by Orban as new president | Civil Rights News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

Hungary elects supreme court judge ousted by Orban as new president | Civil Rights News– www.aljazeera.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Hungary’s parliament has confirmed Andras Baka, a former Supreme Court chief and critic of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as the country’s next president.

The National Assembly voted in a secret ballot on Tuesday to confirm him as president with 140 votes in favour, six opposing and no abstentions.

He had been nominated on Saturday by the Tisza party, which holds a constitutional majority of more than two-thirds of parliament. During the nomination, Tisza lawmakers said Baka’s experience would represent “a significant asset” as the party lays “the foundations for Hungary’s new constitutional order”.

Opposition party Fidesz – which dominated Hungary’s politics until a landslide electoral defeat in April – boycotted the vote. They accuse Tisza of using authoritarian tactics to reshape the country’s political system, a charge the party denies.

Hungary elects supreme court judge ousted by Orban as new president | Civil Rights News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

Hungary elects supreme court judge ousted by Orban as new president | Civil Rights News– www.aljazeera.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Hungary’s parliament has confirmed Andras Baka, a former Supreme Court chief and critic of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as the country’s next president.

The National Assembly voted in a secret ballot on Tuesday to confirm him as president with 140 votes in favour, six opposing and no abstentions.

He had been nominated on Saturday by the Tisza party, which holds a constitutional majority of more than two-thirds of parliament. During the nomination, Tisza lawmakers said Baka’s experience would represent “a significant asset” as the party lays “the foundations for Hungary’s new constitutional order”.

Opposition party Fidesz – which dominated Hungary’s politics until a landslide electoral defeat in April – boycotted the vote. They accuse Tisza of using authoritarian tactics to reshape the country’s political system, a charge the party denies.

Hungary unveils new ‘clean up’ plan as governemnt takes first steps to unlocking frozen EU funds– www.euronews.com

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

Hungary unveils new ‘clean up’ plan as governemnt takes first steps to unlocking frozen EU funds– www.euronews.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

The Hungarian Integrity Authority is setting up a register of economic operators excluded from public procurement after they were deemed to have committed criminal offences.

This measure, which is essential for the resumption of EU funding, is intended not only to weed out abuses but also to offer a chance for self-cleaning, according to the government.

Budapest argued on Thursday that those who can prove that they have “restored their trustworthiness” should have their names removed from the register.

The Hungarian Integrity Authority is also launching the first registration procedures and will begin keeping a list of economic operators excluded from public procurement.

The primary purpose of operating this publicly accessible database is to ensure that no economic operator can take part in public procurement procedures if its executive officer, member of the supervisory board, managing director or beneficial owner has been the subject to a final court decision for criminal offences as defined in the Public Procurement Act.

The authority stressed that the measure concerns a clearly defined group in legal terms; while making the information public was not about stigmatisation, but about preventing further abuses and ensuring the integrity of public procurement.

Romania summons Russian envoy as it shoots down third intruding drone | Russia-Ukraine war News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser July 28, 2026 0

Romania summons Russian envoy as it shoots down third intruding drone | Russia-Ukraine war News– www.aljazeera.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Romania has summoned Russia’s ambassador as it has reported that it shot down three drones in as many days.

A Romanian plane shot down a drone after an incursion into the country’s airspace on Sunday morning, the Ministry of Defence reported. The incident followed similar interceptions on Friday and Saturday.

Concern that Moscow’s war on Ukraine risks entangling neighbouring NATO states is on the rise. Romania is one of several alliance members to confront repeated stray drones recently, as Russia and Ukraine launch hundreds of the unmanned aircraft daily.

Following Sunday’s incident, Bucharest summoned Russia’s ambassador to complain about the “repeated violations”, Foreign Minister Oana Toiu wrote on social media.

Romania intercepted a Russian drone for the first time on Friday. That followed a similar incident on Saturday. An F-16 fighter jet then shot down an unmanned aircraft over the Black Sea on Sunday.

President Nicusor Dan reported that an investigation had found that Friday’s drone was a “Shahed model, used by the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine”.

EU Loses in Czechia Election

pgnewser October 7, 2025 0

Czechia - Operation World

Babis’ win in Czechia is a huge victory for European conservatives– rmx.news
Source Link
Excerpt:

After four long years in the political wilderness, Andrej Babiš returns to presumably lead the Czech Republic after his blowout victory. In neighboring Hungary, Viktor Orbán was jubilant, celebrating the victory of his ally, while in Slovakia, Robert Fico also toasted to Babis’ huge win.

Orbán and Fico are grizzled veterans of the political wars within their own countries, and now Babis is being welcomed back into the fold. One cannot help but think back to the famous “Hangover” scene.
Orbán, long in the driver’s seat in Hungary, with a tired Fico smiling warily from the backseat, still recovering from an assassination attempt that nearly killed him last year, and Babis fist-pumping from the passenger seat. At least that is one way to imagine Babis’ comeback victory.

Hungarian media is also doing the victory rounds, with Magyar Nemzet writing that Babis’ “return will further strengthen the influence of patriotic leaders in the European Union.” The paper further wrote that “his result could create another opportunity to increase the influence of the V4 and Patriots in Europe.”

Slovaks Rebel Against Russian, Chinese Influence, Government Incompetency

pgnewser September 17, 2025 0

Slovakia country profile - BBC News

Thousands rally across Slovakia against austerity measures and pro-Russian policies– japantoday.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

The rallies took place in 16 major cities and towns, including the capital of Bratislava.

They latest wave of protests has been fueled by a trip by Fico to China where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin for the third time since the Russian all-out invasion of Ukraine. A package of austerity measures recently approved by the government further angered the protesters.

The government says the measures are necessary to cut a budget deficit that at 5.3% of GDP was the second highest last year among the countries using the common European currency, the euro. The deficit is expected to surpass 5% this year, exceeding the limit of 3% required by the European Union.

The measures include increases in health and social insurance, income tax for higher earners, and value added tax on some food products, as well as a possible reduction of national holidays.

Labor unions and other critics charged ordinary people will be hit most while businesses complain the measures do not include anything to boost the economy.

“The Slovaks are fed up with that,” Michal Šimečka, the head of the Progressive Slovakia party told the crowd at the Freedom Square in Bratislava.

Drone neutralised flying over government buildings in Warsaw, PM Donald Tusk says– www.euronews.com

Drone neutralised flying over government buildings in Warsaw, PM Donald Tusk says– www.euronews.com

pgnewser September 16, 2025 0

Drone neutralised flying over government buildings in Warsaw, PM Donald Tusk says– www.euronews.com

Drone neutralised flying over government buildings in Warsaw, PM Donald Tusk says– www.euronews.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Poland’s State Protection Service (SOP) has neutralised a drone flying that was flying over sensitive government locations in Warsaw, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a post on X.

Two Belarusian citizens were detained in connection with the incident and police have launched an investigation into the incident, Tusk said.

The incident comes at a time of heightened regional tensions following a string of airspace violations.

Poland says its airspace was violated in the early hours of Wednesday by a record 19 drones, believed to be from Russia.

In response, the Armed Forces of Ukraine said it would send a team to Poland to provide anti-drone training.

The Polish government has traditionally been a staunch supporter of Ukraine’s war effort.

Total support to Ukraine from Warsaw totals approximately €3.3 billion, in both military and humanitarian assistance.

Serbian Anti-Government Protests Grow

Serbian Anti-Government Protests Grow

pgnewser September 10, 2025 0

Serbian Anti-Government Protests Grow

Thousands rally in Serbia and accuse police of brutality at anti-government demonstrations – The Seattle Times
Source Link
Excerpt:

Thousands of student-led protesters chanted slogans against Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic at a rally in downtown Belgrade on Monday, accusing police of brutality during recent anti-government demonstrations that have shaken his populist rule.

The protesters demanded that police officers responsible for excessive use of force during months of unrest be punished, including for alleged rape threats against a female student.

The protests started in November when a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Serbia’s north, killing 16 people. The disaster ignited an anti-corruption movement led by university students alleging graft-fueled negligence as its cause.

Student Nikolina Sindjelic, who was detained last month during the protests, said she was beaten and sexually harassed during her detention. Sindjelic told the rally that the “entire state system has been directed against its own citizens.”

“They (government) beat us because they are afraid of us,” Sindjelic said in a speech outside the headquarters of a special police unit, whose commander she accused of rape threats. “They have hit us and they will hit us because they know it is all over (for them).”

Conservative MEP says Tusk surrendered on Mercosur deal– rmx.news

pgnewser September 8, 2025 0

Conservative MEP says Tusk surrendered on Mercosur deal– rmx.news
Source Link
Excerpt:

Last week, the European Commission adopted the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, but to enter into force, it must be approved by the EU Parliament and member states in a vote at the EU Council.

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Wednesday that Poland would, of course, vote against it, but he also noted there would be insufficient votes to block the agreement, reports Do Rzeczy.

Ratification of the EU-Mercosur agreement requires the consent of the European Parliament and 15 states representing at least 65% of the EU population. Therefore, to reject the agreement, a so-called blocking minority—a coalition of at least four states representing 35% of the EU population—is necessary.

Law and Justice (PiS) MEP Waldemar Buda says Donald Tusk has simply waved a “white flag” on the matter.