Commentary
Economic Security
Lazy Economic Models Are Security Risks. Lessons on Economic Statecraft from CEE
4 June 2026
22 November 2018
In Central Europe, the last few days have offered insight into the all too common and unfortunate problems shared by the former communist countries.
A corruption scandal broke out in Poland when it was revealed that the Chairman of Poland’s Financial Supervision Authority had supposedly solicited a troubled bank-owner for a bribe in order to avoid severe financial penalties.
In Slovakia, the police summoned the organisers of anti-government demonstrations for questioning after receiving an anonymous “tip” that informed authorities about a planned coup, supposedly assisted by none other than George Soros, of course.
Viktor Orbán’s diplomats smuggled the former Macedonian Prime Minister out of his country to avoid a criminal trial; he had been under house arrest after allegations of corruption had been brought against the politician. Instead of facing the charges, he has now applied for asylum in Budapest.