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CEE ON THE FRONTLINE A REGIONAL DEFENCE OVERVIEW JUNE 2025

The recently held 2025 NATO Summit marked a pivotal moment for the Alliance, with leaders agreeing to a historic increase in defence spending - raising the target from 2% to 5% of GDP by 2035. Prompted by renewed U.S. pressure and escalating global security threats, the summit emphasized the urgent need to scale up defence production, foster innovation, and deepen transatlantic defence industrial cooperation. These efforts aim to deliver a strategic leap forward in NATO’s collective defence capabilities. In sum, the CEE region is rapidly evolving into a cornerstone of European defence. While political divergences persist - particularly regarding the war in Ukraine- the overarching trajectory is one of increased investment, modernisation, and alignment with NATO and EU security objectives. The region’s ability to sustain this momentum will depend on…Read More →

GRAYLING’S CEE OUTLOOK FOR 2025 Key highlights and outlook for CEE markets

A year has passed since the election frenzy took place in the CEE region. More than 10 elections, covering local and national frameworks, have taken place and only now the political dust is beginning to settle. On top that, we have the administration change in the U.S. which is calling for tariffs against the EU (and the whole world in that regard) and the new political situation in the EU with signs that green demands might be loosening in the period ahead, as the EU is facing lack of competitiveness compared to its peers. In this year’s edition, the CEE Outlook brings you key details and insights for 2025 and beyond. Grayling’s public affairs teams have focused on what matters to businesses and what to expect from policy makers.Read More →

Kaos. Panic, anger and confusion ahead of Romanian parliamentary elections

The surprise raise of the far-right, pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu in presidential elections sent Romanian society into a spiral of panic, anger and confusion ahead of key parliamentary elections scheduled Sunday. Georgescu (62), running as independent, came from nowhere to win the first round of presidential elections, with some 23% of the votes. He was followed by centrist, progressist Save Romania Union (USR) candidate Elena Lasconi and incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, a Social Democrat (PSD), both at 19%. The first two are expected to face voters again in a runoff, Dec. 8.Read More →

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