Insight Central Europe News
Poland remains in political limbo
There is still no solution in site to the political crisis in Poland following the failure of Marek Belka's cabinet to win parliamentary approval last week. The Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said that if the crisis continues, early elections in August may be inevitable, but most parties in parliament have said they would prefer to avoid this option.
Slovak Parliament passes anti-discrimination law
The Slovak Parliament has passed a law banning discrimination. From July 1st is will be illegal to discriminate against anyone on the basis of their sex, religion, nationality, ethnicity disability or sexual orientation. The law brings Slovakia into line with the European Union. Sixteen MPs from across the political spectrum opposed the bill.
Hungarian and Irish PMs have different views on EU reform
The Hungarian Prime Minister, Peter Medgyessy has said that Hungary is not willing to compromise on the principle of one-country-one-vote on the European Commission, as the union tries to agree to reforms to ease the decision-making process. During a visit by the Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern the two leaders disagreed on several reform issues. Mr Medgyessy also rejected an Irish compromise proposal on majority voting in the European Union.
Pilgrims converge on Austrian town
Tens of thousands of pilgrims from across Central Europe have converged for the weekend on the town of Mariazell in Lower Austria for the 'Pilgrimage of the Peoples', one of the highlights of the Central European Catholic calendar. Participants include heads of state from across the region. The archbishop of Vienna said that reconciliation after years of division was the central theme of the event. Mariazell has been a place of pilgrimage since medieval times.
Czech government to halt export of radar system to China
The Czech government has decided to revoke the licences of Czech companies selling an advanced radar system to China. A decision earlier this year to allow the radar to be sold to China met with criticism from the United States and some Czech politicians. The radar is a passive surveillance system, which is said to be able to detect US stealth aircraft.
