Permanent “State of Danger” in Hungary

Fidesz paves the way for enveloping Hungary in the permanent “state of danger”, and nuclear investments continue to shape energy strategy in the region. Controversial former Czech PM Babiš announces his presidential campaign while Moldova is facing the worst energy crisis in its history. 

This week on Visegrad Insight:

• The November Monthly Foresight focusing on energy security will be out tomorrow.
• Magda Jakubowska writes about the importance of a more unified EU policy for Ukrainian refugees.
• Miles Maftean will be exploring how the upcoming US elections can affect Central Europe and the Ukrainian war effort.

EU/REGIONAL

• The European Central Bank raised the interest rate by 0.75 points to 2 per cent. 
• German chancellor Olaf Scholz wants the “Marshall Plan” for Ukraine to help with the postwar reconstruction of the country and also told a business forum to invest in Ukraine. Reconstruction plans have been called for by a number of Central European countries including Czechia which used its EU Presidency to advocate for an EU-backed push to help Ukraine rebuild.
• The EU strives to speed up efforts to combat climate change. This includes fast-tracking the law banning the sale of new fossil fuel cars by 2035 or further raising the target to cut down the block’s net emissions from the current target of 55 per cent by 2030, from the 1990s levels.
• Rishi Sunak has become the youngest British prime minister in a century after Liz Truss resigned last week over a series of economic blunders making her the country’s shortest-serving prime minister. Sunak will face what he described as a “profound economic crisis”.
• In Brazil, left-wing Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, “Lula” defeated far-right incumbent Jair Boslonaro in a tight race. 
• Prague Digital Council conference will host Commissioner Věra Jourová on November 2 who will speak on the future of the internet.
• Chinese Cosco in Germany. Criticism grows over Beijing’s investments in the EU’s largest national economy. A German spy has also warned against the Chinese influence in the takeover of the Elmost chip production, Politico reports.
• Energy price cap in Germany in sight. German economy minister Robert Habeck told the media that state help from high energy prices should be in place by January.
• A court in the German city of Hamburg issued a 4000 euro fine for displaying the letter “Z” in support of Russia.  
• Warm weather boosts the EU in an energy war with the Kremlin. Energy prices are falling down after weeks of dramatic growth to their lowest prices in months, but analysts are torn between celebrating the end of the energy crisis and others warning that complacency will only lead to a similar situation in the months to come.

Ukraine backed by world leaders as Russia blackmails global south with grain shortages

UKRAINE