Liam Nolan

Eastern Europe Reporter

Demonstrators in the city of Kosice yesterday evening protest against Prime Minister Robert Fico's government

Why have 60,000 Slovaks taken to the streets?

An estimated 60,000 people took part in demonstrations yesterday across Slovakia to protest against a government plan to close an office that investigates high-level financial crime. Both the Slovak president and the European Parliament have expressed concerns about the proposed reforms.

Europe • 02 Feb 24

Mr Orban is opposed to using the EU's budget to allocate the €50 billion in economic support to Ukraine (file image)

Senior EU official denies plans to cut Hungary funding

A senior EU official has denied a report that the bloc is considering cutting funding to Hungary if it vetoes a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine. EU leaders are set to vote on the deal on Thursday at an EU Council summit.

Europe • 29 Jan 24

Holocaust survivors took part in the ceremony of the 79th anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp liberation

Liberation of Auschwitz remembered on 79th anniversary

Today marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, 79 years since the liberation of the Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. Twenty survivors of the Holocaust were among those to attend this evening's commemoration at the site of the former camp.

Europe • 27 Jan 24

Mr Duda had originally pardoned the two politicians in 2015 (file image)

Polish president pardons jailed former politicians

Polish president Andrzej Duda yesterday pardoned two members of the former Law and Justice government who had started two-year prison sentences for abuse of power. It marks another clash between Mr Duda and the new centrist coalition government.

World • 24 Jan 24

Polish President Andrzej Duda (L) and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (R) shake hands this week at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw

Political power clash between Poland's govt, president

More than one month after Poland's new pro-EU coalition came to power, a number of disputes have erupted between the government and the country's conservative president, Andrzej Duda. The control of public media and the direction of rule-of-law legislation lie at the heart of the clash.

World • 21 Jan 24

Watch: When can Balkan countries realistically join EU?

Six countries from the Western Balkans have applied to join the EU during the past two decades. They include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia.

Europe • 17 Jan 24

The Taoiseach has spent the past two days meeting with leaders in Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia

Taoiseach says EU should admit new members this decade

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met with the leaders of North Macedonia in the country's capital Skopje this afternoon, concluding a two-day tour of three Western Balkans countries.

Europe • 12 Jan 24

The Taoiseach will discuss EU membership, peace and security during his visit to Kosovo (File image)

Taoiseach in Kosovo for talks on EU membership

The Taoiseach is in Kosovan capital, Pristina, to meet the country's leaders and hold discussions on Kosovo's application for EU membership.

World • 11 Jan 24

The collective shelter in Konstancin-Jeziorna, which has accommodated Ukrainian refugees since the start of the war

Poland's collective shelters for Ukrainian refugees

Almost two years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 59% of Ukrainian refugees living in Poland pay for their own private accommodation. But an estimated 70,000 refugees continue to live in collective shelters, many of whom are finding it difficult to make the leap to independent living

Ukraine • 09 Jan 24

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky answers questions during his end-of-year press conference in Kyiv on 19 December

Western support for Ukraine crucial in 2024

Almost two years after Russia's invasion, financial aid packages for Ukraine have run into opposition. Yet, the start of formal EU accession talks with Kyiv in 2024 will provide a morale boost for many Ukrainians and bring the country closer to its long-term goal of European integration.

2023 in Review • 26 Dec 23