Insight Central Europe News

Parliamentary elections in Slovenia

Slovenians are voting this weekend in the fourth general election since the country gained independence in 1991. Over a thousand candidates are vying for 90 seats in parliament, and some 1.6 million citizens are eligible to vote. Polls prior to the election put the centre-left Liberal Democrats, which have ruled the country since independence, just ahead, followed by the right wing opposition Slovenian Democratic Party. The result is expected to be close, and the Liberal Democrats are predicted to lose their overall majority.

New Hungarian Prime Minister appointed

Ferenc Gyurcsany has been appointed Prime Minister of Hungary for the remaining 19 months of the current parliamentary term. His predecessor, Peter Medgyessy resigned amidst a dispute within the ruling coalition over a planned government reshuffle. The new left-of-centre Prime Minister has introduced seven new ministers into his cabinet. Former Premier Medgyessy is to become an 'ambassador at large' promoting Hungarian interests in Europe.

Czech President defends Putin

The Czech President Vaclav Klaus has said that although Russian democracy is young and fragile, he does not believe it is heading for dictatorship. He was reacting to a letter in which a hundred influential figures worldwide called on European Union and NATO leaders to question the policies of the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The letter expresses fears that measures taken by Mr Putin since the Beslan tragedy threaten to undermine Russian democracy, and its signatories include Mr Klaus's predecessor as Czech President, Vaclav Havel.

Polish and German leaders agree to common stance against WW2 property claims

At talks in Berlin the Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder have agreed to devise a common strategy to quash German property claims in Poland. The claims are being made by some of the Germans expelled after World War Two from what is now Polish territory, and have led to an angry response in Poland. Both the German and Polish governments have said that they consider the issues of wartime property losses and post-war compensation to be settled.

Slovakia to embark on major healthcare reforms

The Slovak parliament has passed a package of six laws, aiming at a major overhaul of the country's healthcare system. The reform is one of the commitments made by the right-of-centre government when it came to power two years ago, and the Health Ministry says it will lead to a more efficient and transparent health service.