@visegradinsight.bsky.social
‘Being pro-European is not in itself a political strategy,’ argues @susmonika.bsky.social. After 30 years of rapid growth and catching up with Europe, Poland now has the capacity to shape what Europe becomes.
What choices does Poland face? Read the full text of Sus's keynote: shorturl.at/zw18D
What choices does Poland face? Read the full text of Sus's keynote: shorturl.at/zw18D
Poland's Power Needs a Purpose
This text is a transcribed version of Poland’s Vision of Europe’s Future keynote speech delivered by the author during the core programme of the Forum. For most of the past 30 years, Poland’s vision o...
shorturl.at
October 8, 2026 at 1:28 PM
‘Being pro-European is not in itself a political strategy,’ argues @susmonika.bsky.social. After 30 years of rapid growth and catching up with Europe, Poland now has the capacity to shape what Europe becomes.
What choices does Poland face? Read the full text of Sus's keynote: shorturl.at/zw18D
What choices does Poland face? Read the full text of Sus's keynote: shorturl.at/zw18D
CEE has sought greater EU cooperation on military-related financing and industrial build-out, while remaining committed to weapons supplies from the US. Pursuing both has never been as feasible as it is today, writes Lukas Bryant, Junior Fellow at @visegradinsight.bsky.social.
Read the analysis:
Read the analysis:
Buy American, Build European? CEE’s New Defence Strategy
On 9 September 2026 Poland signed a four-billion-dollar financing deal with the United States, bringing total US support to nearly 20 billion dollars. The money was specifically earmarked to buy US mi...
visegradinsight.eu
October 7, 2026 at 7:41 AM
CEE has sought greater EU cooperation on military-related financing and industrial build-out, while remaining committed to weapons supplies from the US. Pursuing both has never been as feasible as it is today, writes Lukas Bryant, Junior Fellow at @visegradinsight.bsky.social.
Read the analysis:
Read the analysis:
Domestic political disputes limit Poland's ability to shape EU decisions on defence, Ukraine and the 2028-2034 MFF, argues Marzenna Guz-Vetter.
Donald Tusk’s government needs to move beyond reactive policy and put forward proposals on defence, cohesion funding and technological competitiveness:
Donald Tusk’s government needs to move beyond reactive policy and put forward proposals on defence, cohesion funding and technological competitiveness:
The Deafening Silence of Poland in Europe
In the fifth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European politicians are giving up on the academic debates on further integration and the functioning of the EU. They are concentrating in...
visegradinsight.eu
October 6, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Domestic political disputes limit Poland's ability to shape EU decisions on defence, Ukraine and the 2028-2034 MFF, argues Marzenna Guz-Vetter.
Donald Tusk’s government needs to move beyond reactive policy and put forward proposals on defence, cohesion funding and technological competitiveness:
Donald Tusk’s government needs to move beyond reactive policy and put forward proposals on defence, cohesion funding and technological competitiveness:
Donald Trump’s MAGA movement is influencing European politics with varying degrees of success.
Last week, PM Kulbergs' United List secured a clear lead over Ainārs Šlesers, aka ‘Latvian Trump’. In Romania, a failed confidence vote prolonged the political crisis.
Read what else is on CEE's agenda:
Last week, PM Kulbergs' United List secured a clear lead over Ainārs Šlesers, aka ‘Latvian Trump’. In Romania, a failed confidence vote prolonged the political crisis.
Read what else is on CEE's agenda:
The Long Shadow of Trump Over Europe's Unity
Latvia delivered a reassuring result on 3 October. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’s United List took about 35 per cent of the vote, more than 20 percentage points ahead of Ainārs Šlesers – aka ‘Latvia...
shorturl.at
October 5, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Donald Trump’s MAGA movement is influencing European politics with varying degrees of success.
Last week, PM Kulbergs' United List secured a clear lead over Ainārs Šlesers, aka ‘Latvian Trump’. In Romania, a failed confidence vote prolonged the political crisis.
Read what else is on CEE's agenda:
Last week, PM Kulbergs' United List secured a clear lead over Ainārs Šlesers, aka ‘Latvian Trump’. In Romania, a failed confidence vote prolonged the political crisis.
Read what else is on CEE's agenda:
As Latvians head to the polls tomorrow, 3 October, 'Latvian Trump' Ainārs Šlesers has a narrow path to the premiership. His populist 'Latvia First' could still enter the government, writes Roberts Kits.
Read what is on the election agenda and what it means for Latvia and CEE: shorturl.at/ZlACn
Read what is on the election agenda and what it means for Latvia and CEE: shorturl.at/ZlACn
Few Reasons to Worry About Latvian Trump
Latvians go to the polls on Saturday to elect the 15th Saeima. Fourteen lists are competing for 100 seats, fewer than the 19 that ran in 2022. The United List (Apvienotais saraksts) alliance led by th...
visegradinsight.eu
October 2, 2026 at 8:13 AM
As Latvians head to the polls tomorrow, 3 October, 'Latvian Trump' Ainārs Šlesers has a narrow path to the premiership. His populist 'Latvia First' could still enter the government, writes Roberts Kits.
Read what is on the election agenda and what it means for Latvia and CEE: shorturl.at/ZlACn
Read what is on the election agenda and what it means for Latvia and CEE: shorturl.at/ZlACn
Hungary has refused to join Ukraine's Carpathian Eight, leaving it as the C7, and rejected a MOL–Naftogaz fuel storage plan, followed by a spat on X.
What is behind the latest Budapest–Kyiv dispute, and is the Zelenskyy–Magyar thaw coming to an end?
Read now: shorturl.at/EPZAR
What is behind the latest Budapest–Kyiv dispute, and is the Zelenskyy–Magyar thaw coming to an end?
Read now: shorturl.at/EPZAR
Hungary-Ukraine Spat Gains a New Dimension – OVERVIEW
János Széky, a Hungarian journalist and translator, described Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s recent Ukraine policy as being ‘determined by the same version of ethno-nationalism that prevailed in the ho...
visegradinsight.eu
October 1, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Hungary has refused to join Ukraine's Carpathian Eight, leaving it as the C7, and rejected a MOL–Naftogaz fuel storage plan, followed by a spat on X.
What is behind the latest Budapest–Kyiv dispute, and is the Zelenskyy–Magyar thaw coming to an end?
Read now: shorturl.at/EPZAR
What is behind the latest Budapest–Kyiv dispute, and is the Zelenskyy–Magyar thaw coming to an end?
Read now: shorturl.at/EPZAR
PESA, a train maker based in Bydgoszcz, was rescued in 2018 by the PFR to become part of Poland's economic diplomacy.
We visited Bydgoszcz during #EuropeFutureForum to see how the strategy works on the factory floor and where it could fail.
Read the full article: shorturl.at/PxwZN
We visited Bydgoszcz during #EuropeFutureForum to see how the strategy works on the factory floor and where it could fail.
Read the full article: shorturl.at/PxwZN
How Poland Wants to Turn a Failing Train Maker into a Geoeconomic Asset
Bydgoszcz is a city in northern Poland whose importance runs well beyond its size. In the streets around its main railway station, PESA builds the trains, trams and locomotives that now run across Cen...
visegradinsight.eu
September 30, 2026 at 8:02 AM
PESA, a train maker based in Bydgoszcz, was rescued in 2018 by the PFR to become part of Poland's economic diplomacy.
We visited Bydgoszcz during #EuropeFutureForum to see how the strategy works on the factory floor and where it could fail.
Read the full article: shorturl.at/PxwZN
We visited Bydgoszcz during #EuropeFutureForum to see how the strategy works on the factory floor and where it could fail.
Read the full article: shorturl.at/PxwZN
The clock is ticking loudly in Prague and Warsaw this week, as both governments face budget battles that will test their fiscal plans and political stability.
Check what else is shaping this week’s agenda across Central and Eastern Europe:
Check what else is shaping this week’s agenda across Central and Eastern Europe:
Political Clock is Ticking on CEE Budgets
In Czechia – still running one of the smallest headline deficits in the EU – the budget bill lands with cuts to public media, one of the region’s key pillars of democratic resilience, and is sent into...
visegradinsight.eu
September 28, 2026 at 10:10 AM
The clock is ticking loudly in Prague and Warsaw this week, as both governments face budget battles that will test their fiscal plans and political stability.
Check what else is shaping this week’s agenda across Central and Eastern Europe:
Check what else is shaping this week’s agenda across Central and Eastern Europe:
'Without Chinese help, Russia would have lost a long time ago', argues Theresa Fallon, Founder and Director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies, ahead of today's meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
Read the full interview:
Read the full interview:
If Russia is the Storm, China is Climate Change – INTERVIEW
Ahead of Trump-Xi meeting, Visegrad Insight spoke with Theresa Fallon, Director of CREAS, about Europe's dependency on China.
visegradinsight.eu
September 24, 2026 at 11:55 AM
'Without Chinese help, Russia would have lost a long time ago', argues Theresa Fallon, Founder and Director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies, ahead of today's meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
Read the full interview:
Read the full interview:
Von der Leyen's 2026 SOTEU Address gave little clarity on how to address unbalanced EU-China relations, write @abachulska.bsky.social and @matejsimalcik.bsky.social.
The EU must show how it will use access to its single market as real leverage: shorturl.at/nQ88j
The EU must show how it will use access to its single market as real leverage: shorturl.at/nQ88j
No Endgame in Von Der Leyen's China Strategy
Political momentum in Brussels is at a historic high, but it is unclear how exactly the bloc intends to rebalance relations with China.
shorturl.at
September 23, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Von der Leyen's 2026 SOTEU Address gave little clarity on how to address unbalanced EU-China relations, write @abachulska.bsky.social and @matejsimalcik.bsky.social.
The EU must show how it will use access to its single market as real leverage: shorturl.at/nQ88j
The EU must show how it will use access to its single market as real leverage: shorturl.at/nQ88j
Reposted
What to do about undersea wars, Russian sabotage attacks, and why #Sweden will never surrender. Listen to another episode of my 🎙 #podcast, #TheGlobalAgora, w/ @elisabethbraw.bsky.social from @visegradinsight.bsky.social #EuropeFutureForum.
▶️ podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/and... #Russia #Putinswar
▶️ podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/and... #Russia #Putinswar
What to do about undersea wars, Russian sabotage attacks, and why Sweden will never surrender by The Global Agora
Elisabeth Braw is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative, and a columnist for Foreign Policy and Politico Europe. We met at the Europe Future Forum in Warsaw and d...
podcasters.spotify.com
September 18, 2026 at 9:50 AM
What to do about undersea wars, Russian sabotage attacks, and why #Sweden will never surrender. Listen to another episode of my 🎙 #podcast, #TheGlobalAgora, w/ @elisabethbraw.bsky.social from @visegradinsight.bsky.social #EuropeFutureForum.
▶️ podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/and... #Russia #Putinswar
▶️ podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/and... #Russia #Putinswar
Romania’s political deadlock may be entering its decisive phase. President Nicușor Dan nominated Siegfried Muresan as PM-designate. However, Mureșan is 64 votes short of a parliamentary majority. This could open the door to political bargains with consequences beyond Bucharest: shorturl.at/E0iGB
Romania’s Make-or-Break Cabinet
Mureșan’s candidacy was announced on 17 September, and Dan said the nomination came from a long consultation with the party leaders. Supported by the PNL, the Save Romania Union and the Democratic All...
visegradinsight.eu
September 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Romania’s political deadlock may be entering its decisive phase. President Nicușor Dan nominated Siegfried Muresan as PM-designate. However, Mureșan is 64 votes short of a parliamentary majority. This could open the door to political bargains with consequences beyond Bucharest: shorturl.at/E0iGB
The transatlantic bargain is over for Europe, says @radek-sikorski.bsky.social, 'Our security cannot be an insurance policy whose premium is paid by somebody else.'
The full transcript of the keynote address, delivered at #EuropeFutureForum in Warsaw, together with the Q&A and the audio version:
The full transcript of the keynote address, delivered at #EuropeFutureForum in Warsaw, together with the Q&A and the audio version:
Those Who Do Not Learn from This War Risk Losing the Next – Radosław Sikorski
During the core programme of the Europe Future Forum 2026, Poland's foreign minister delivered a keynote address, 'Poland, Europe. The Next Defining Moments'.
visegradinsight.eu
September 18, 2026 at 9:29 AM
The transatlantic bargain is over for Europe, says @radek-sikorski.bsky.social, 'Our security cannot be an insurance policy whose premium is paid by somebody else.'
The full transcript of the keynote address, delivered at #EuropeFutureForum in Warsaw, together with the Q&A and the audio version:
The full transcript of the keynote address, delivered at #EuropeFutureForum in Warsaw, together with the Q&A and the audio version:
Europe likes to discuss its future in the conditional tense. This week leaves little room for that, as the future is already happening, and so does the Europe Future Forum organized by
@visegradinsight.bsky.social.
Read the special edition of the Weekly Outlook to see what shapes the agenda:
@visegradinsight.bsky.social.
Read the special edition of the Weekly Outlook to see what shapes the agenda:
Europe's Future Week - Special Edition
Europe likes to discuss its future in the conditional tense. This week leaves little room for that as the future is happening already today. On Sunday, a delegation of European leaders who were coming...
visegradinsight.eu
September 14, 2026 at 6:59 AM
Europe likes to discuss its future in the conditional tense. This week leaves little room for that, as the future is already happening, and so does the Europe Future Forum organized by
@visegradinsight.bsky.social.
Read the special edition of the Weekly Outlook to see what shapes the agenda:
@visegradinsight.bsky.social.
Read the special edition of the Weekly Outlook to see what shapes the agenda:
The EU is expected to present its new Security Strategy soon. Ahead of von der Leyen’s SOTEU address, @visegradinsight.bsky.social asked 14 experts and Fellows what the strategy should include, what it can change and how it should address the concerns of CEE: visegradinsight.eu/what-the-new...
What the European Security Strategy Should Be About?
Ahead of the annual State of the EU address, we asked experts and Fellows what the EU security grand strategy should contain.
visegradinsight.eu
September 10, 2026 at 10:55 AM
The EU is expected to present its new Security Strategy soon. Ahead of von der Leyen’s SOTEU address, @visegradinsight.bsky.social asked 14 experts and Fellows what the strategy should include, what it can change and how it should address the concerns of CEE: visegradinsight.eu/what-the-new...
The Western Balkans will become super-aged within the next decade, while income and productivity remain well below EU levels.
‘Within the next decade, at least one in five people in the region will be over 65, while GDP per person remains only 41% of the EU average,’ writes Jovo Rabrenovic:
‘Within the next decade, at least one in five people in the region will be over 65, while GDP per person remains only 41% of the EU average,’ writes Jovo Rabrenovic:
The Western Balkans Are Ageing Before Getting Rich
Western Balkans' ageing demographics are a constraint on economic growth, public finance and EU convergence. Enlargement should deal with it.
visegradinsight.eu
September 9, 2026 at 12:36 PM
The Western Balkans will become super-aged within the next decade, while income and productivity remain well below EU levels.
‘Within the next decade, at least one in five people in the region will be over 65, while GDP per person remains only 41% of the EU average,’ writes Jovo Rabrenovic:
‘Within the next decade, at least one in five people in the region will be over 65, while GDP per person remains only 41% of the EU average,’ writes Jovo Rabrenovic:
A new investigation into the collapsed Zondacrypto exchange shows how access to Viktor Orbán’s inner circle was marketed as a financial lifeline. The case also points to an alleged market for influence, security-service connections and proximity to public institutions in Poland: shorturl.at/ocyYR
A Polish Crypto Rescue Priced on Orbán Staying in Power
For nine months a retired Polish anti-corruption officer billed the head of a crypto exchange 15,000 euros a month. Part of what he sold was Hungary. He told his client that Orbán’s people would buy t...
shorturl.at
September 9, 2026 at 7:59 AM
A new investigation into the collapsed Zondacrypto exchange shows how access to Viktor Orbán’s inner circle was marketed as a financial lifeline. The case also points to an alleged market for influence, security-service connections and proximity to public institutions in Poland: shorturl.at/ocyYR
Afd’s landslide victory in Saxony-Anhalt has energised CEE's sovereigntists and prompted strong reactions from their opponents.
Debate is also playing out through invitations and withdrawals as the event season opens across CEE. Read what is shaping CEE’s agenda this week:
Debate is also playing out through invitations and withdrawals as the event season opens across CEE. Read what is shaping CEE’s agenda this week:
AfD Victory Polarises CEE
Alternative for Germany (AfD) taking 43.8 per cent in Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September adds fuel to another debate shaping this week – over the line-up of important visits across CEE. While the biggest at...
visegradinsight.eu
September 7, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Afd’s landslide victory in Saxony-Anhalt has energised CEE's sovereigntists and prompted strong reactions from their opponents.
Debate is also playing out through invitations and withdrawals as the event season opens across CEE. Read what is shaping CEE’s agenda this week:
Debate is also playing out through invitations and withdrawals as the event season opens across CEE. Read what is shaping CEE’s agenda this week:
Poland’s parliament has approved Maciej Berek’s candidacy for a seat on the Constitutional Tribunal.
Earlier this week, Visegrad Insight spoke with @jarasjarasy.bsky.social to find out what this means for Poland’s constitutional order ahead of the election year: visegradinsight.eu/berek-consti...
Earlier this week, Visegrad Insight spoke with @jarasjarasy.bsky.social to find out what this means for Poland’s constitutional order ahead of the election year: visegradinsight.eu/berek-consti...
Donald Tusk's Tribunal Gambit
Lack of budget allocation to the Constitutional Tribunal is a strategic gambit by Donald Tusk ahead of the vote on Maciej Berek.
visegradinsight.eu
September 4, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Poland’s parliament has approved Maciej Berek’s candidacy for a seat on the Constitutional Tribunal.
Earlier this week, Visegrad Insight spoke with @jarasjarasy.bsky.social to find out what this means for Poland’s constitutional order ahead of the election year: visegradinsight.eu/berek-consti...
Earlier this week, Visegrad Insight spoke with @jarasjarasy.bsky.social to find out what this means for Poland’s constitutional order ahead of the election year: visegradinsight.eu/berek-consti...
Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal is at the centre of a new dispute between PM Tusk’s government and President Karol Nawrocki. What could it mean for Poland’s constitutional order ahead of the 2027 election? And what are the calculations on both sides? Find out in a new op-ed: shorturl.at/Fa1qC
Donald Tusk's Tribunal Gambit
Lack of budget allocation to the Constitutional Tribunal is a strategic gambit by Donald Tusk ahead of the vote on Maciej Berek.
visegradinsight.eu
September 3, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal is at the centre of a new dispute between PM Tusk’s government and President Karol Nawrocki. What could it mean for Poland’s constitutional order ahead of the 2027 election? And what are the calculations on both sides? Find out in a new op-ed: shorturl.at/Fa1qC
How long can Péter Magyar’s public-support honeymoon last? What comes after it?
@wojciechprzybylski.bsky.social speaks with Péter Krekó, assessing the TISZA government's first 100 days in office and the limits of what a new government can achieve in such a short period: shorturl.at/C0ruh
@wojciechprzybylski.bsky.social speaks with Péter Krekó, assessing the TISZA government's first 100 days in office and the limits of what a new government can achieve in such a short period: shorturl.at/C0ruh
Is Hungary a Spin Democracy? – CONVERSATION
Péter Magyar's first 100 days in office brought a wave of change. But how long can the honeymoon last? Wojciech Przybylski & Péter Krekó
visegradinsight.eu
September 2, 2026 at 8:16 AM
How long can Péter Magyar’s public-support honeymoon last? What comes after it?
@wojciechprzybylski.bsky.social speaks with Péter Krekó, assessing the TISZA government's first 100 days in office and the limits of what a new government can achieve in such a short period: shorturl.at/C0ruh
@wojciechprzybylski.bsky.social speaks with Péter Krekó, assessing the TISZA government's first 100 days in office and the limits of what a new government can achieve in such a short period: shorturl.at/C0ruh
September starts with budget talks, and EU President António Costa continues his CEE tour. Having begun in more amenable countries, he will face the toughest negotiators – including Poland – in the weeks ahead.
Read what's else is on the CEE agenda in the full Weekly Outlook: shorturl.at/UdnZ4
Read what's else is on the CEE agenda in the full Weekly Outlook: shorturl.at/UdnZ4
Costa EU Budget Trip With Easy CEE Countries
This time the CEE countries are in the spotlight, and the difference between policy executives versus policy advisors is apparent. Mario Draghi’s so-called Rhine Group to revive Europe’s competitivene...
shorturl.at
August 31, 2026 at 11:09 AM
September starts with budget talks, and EU President António Costa continues his CEE tour. Having begun in more amenable countries, he will face the toughest negotiators – including Poland – in the weeks ahead.
Read what's else is on the CEE agenda in the full Weekly Outlook: shorturl.at/UdnZ4
Read what's else is on the CEE agenda in the full Weekly Outlook: shorturl.at/UdnZ4
At Campus Poland of the Future, @wojciechprzybylski.bsky.social moderated a discussion with former Lithuanian FM @glandsbergis.bsky.social and Polish MEP @gasiukpihowicz.bsky.social on where power lies in the EU and how smaller states can build their influence amid geopolitical pressure:
European Council Has Fewer Success Stories Than Failures
Who sets the direction of Europe? Is it the European Commission and Parliament, or do national governments play a more important role? This was the opening question raised by Wojciech Przybylski to th...
visegradinsight.eu
August 28, 2026 at 12:29 PM
At Campus Poland of the Future, @wojciechprzybylski.bsky.social moderated a discussion with former Lithuanian FM @glandsbergis.bsky.social and Polish MEP @gasiukpihowicz.bsky.social on where power lies in the EU and how smaller states can build their influence amid geopolitical pressure:
What makes fuel in Poland the cheapest among the V4 states?
Last week, Poland’s government again took steps to reduce prices at the pump, cutting VAT on motor fuel. The future of this relief remains uncertain, as does its long-term cost for consumers and the public budget: shorturl.at/NGD9p
Last week, Poland’s government again took steps to reduce prices at the pump, cutting VAT on motor fuel. The future of this relief remains uncertain, as does its long-term cost for consumers and the public budget: shorturl.at/NGD9p
Why Fuel Is Cheapest in Poland and Who Pays for It
Petrol cost about 1.48 euros per litre and diesel 1.69 euros thanks to VAT reduction on fuels in CPN. But how sustainable is the strategy?
shorturl.at
August 25, 2026 at 11:45 AM
What makes fuel in Poland the cheapest among the V4 states?
Last week, Poland’s government again took steps to reduce prices at the pump, cutting VAT on motor fuel. The future of this relief remains uncertain, as does its long-term cost for consumers and the public budget: shorturl.at/NGD9p
Last week, Poland’s government again took steps to reduce prices at the pump, cutting VAT on motor fuel. The future of this relief remains uncertain, as does its long-term cost for consumers and the public budget: shorturl.at/NGD9p
Czechia's Senate has rejected the government’s proposal to abolish the president’s power in diplomatic appointments. 'By undermining the unifying role of President Pavel, PM Andrej Babiš is diverting public attention from his own massive conflict of interest', says Jiri Schneider: shorturl.at/ufmXr
August 24, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Czechia's Senate has rejected the government’s proposal to abolish the president’s power in diplomatic appointments. 'By undermining the unifying role of President Pavel, PM Andrej Babiš is diverting public attention from his own massive conflict of interest', says Jiri Schneider: shorturl.at/ufmXr