Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic are most exposed among Central and Eastern European (CEE) sovereigns to a sudden cessation of Russian gas supplies to EU countries, Fitch Ratings says. Poland, Lithuania and Romania appear least exposed.A sudden cessation is not Fitch’s base case, but is a risk. Bulgaria and Poland have already been cut off and supplies to other EU members have been reduced. Supply and infrastructure constraints mean it could take the EU more than three years to offset a full loss of Russian gas supply.Fitch has constructed a vulnerability matrix showing EU countries’ reliance on Russian gas imports. We have also considered EU and national policy responses, holding discussions with national authorities, usually energy ministries of all CEE EU members. These responses would probably involve supply- and demand-side management and centralised price-setting. We also look at mitigating factors for the 11 Fitch-rated CEE sovereigns.The region would face a significant macro shock, including in many cases negative growth and higher inflation: energy generally has a higher weight in the harmonised consumer price basket in CEE than in Western European countries). But differences in mitigating factors mean the impact would vary widely. Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic combine high reliance on Russian gas with a lack of viable short-term alternative energy supplies. In contrast, Poland, Lithuania and Romania have largely secured alternative supplies or have significant domestic production. Assessing mitigants and understanding policy responses is key to understanding the potential rating implications of cessation: important offsetting factors are not always visible in the vulnerability matrix.The impact on public finances from the macro shock and potential offsetting measures could pressure sovereign ratings, particularly where credit metrics are already weak relative to rating peers. The Negative Outlook on the Czech Republic’s ‘AA-’ rating since May partly reflects risks from its dependence on Russian energy.
Over a third of Romanians, around 35%, would vote for the opposition party Alliance for the Union of Romanians, or AUR, according to data from a CURS survey published on Sunday, November 2. A further 24% of votes would support the governing Social Democratic Party, or PSD. The two other parties included in the current […]
The Romanian government and one of the most important European arms manufacturers, Rheinmetall, signed a cooperation agreement regarding the construction of a powder factory on Monday, November 3. The value of the investment is EUR 500 million, and Romania may be able to secure EU funding for it through the Security Action for Europe program, which […]
More than twenty years after launching Flavours Group, Romanian entrepreneur Raluca Țeposu continues to shape Romania’s modern food and hospitality landscape through a mix of creativity, consistency, and care. What began in 2002 as a small catering company built on the simple idea that “food should be about joy, connection, and good energy” has evolved […]
North Bucharest Investments (NBI), a real estate investment and management company, reports a transaction volume of €161 million as of the end of October 2025. By the end of the year, the company anticipates a 25% increase compared to the average level of the reporting period, driven by sustained investor interest and new investment packages […]
Cambridge School of Bucharest (CSB), one of Romania’s leading British international schools, is delighted to announce its Open Days for Admissions for the 2026–2027 academic year, to be held on Wednesday, 19 November, and Friday, 21 November 2025, at its modern campus in Pipera. The Open Days provide prospective families with the opportunity to explore […]
Romania signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding military cooperation with Egypt on Sunday, November 2. The understanding includes exchanges of expertise, joint exercises, and concrete projects in the field of defense. After the signing, defense minister Ionuț Moșteanu said that among the topics discussed with counterpart Abdel Mageed Ahmed Abdel Mageed Saqr were the security […]
