Central Europe Monitor
?? Country: Poland
?Record-breaking cold temperatures in Poland
?? Date: February 17, 2025
Although most of winter is behind us in Central Europe, this February has brought exceptionally cold weather to the region. Poland was no exception, as the country recorded its lowest temperature ever measured. In the Polish section of the Tatra Mountains, a temperature of -41.13°C was detected early Monday morning. The previous record low, -41°C, was registered 85 years ago in 1940 in the city of Siedlce.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 5
?? Mentions Over Time:
?? Breakdown by Media Type:
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)
Microsoft launches a $700 million investment in Poland
?? Date: February 17, 2025
Brad Smith, Vice Chairman of Microsoft, announced the American software giant’s latest investment in Poland alongside Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The project will primarily expand the data center that opened in 2023, aiming to leverage artificial intelligence more effectively and strengthen cybersecurity. The investment is valued at $700 million (2.8 billion PLN), with completion expected by the summer of 2026.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 7
?? Mentions Over Time:
?? Breakdown by Media Type:
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)
?? Country: Slovakia
Slovak Railways introduces surcharge to encourage online ticket purchases
?? Date: February 17, 2025
Starting in March, Slovak Railways (?SSK) will introduce a surcharge for tickets purchased at ticket offices and onboard trains. The measure, effective from March 15, aims to encourage passengers to buy tickets online, reducing printing costs. Passengers will pay an additional €1 at ticket offices and €3 onboard compared to online purchases. The move reflects changing ticket-buying habits: five years ago, 70% of tickets were purchased at ticket counters, whereas today, 45% of all tickets are sold online.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 2
?? Mentions Over Time:
?? Breakdown by Media Type:
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)
Cyberattack targets Slovakia’s Ministry of Transport website
?? Date: February 17, 2025
On Monday morning, visitors to Slovakia’s Ministry of Transport website were greeted with an advertisement for a Thai casino instead of official information. The site was hacked, allowing an illegal advertisement to be displayed. However, IT specialists quickly restored the original content.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 1
?? Mentions Over Time:
?? Breakdown by Media Type:
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)
?? Country: Romania
Employers and entrepreneurs reaffirm commitment to Romania’s Euro-Atlantic orientation
?? Date: February 15, 2025
Ilie Bolojan, who currently serves as interim president of Romania’s Senate, invited representatives of employers and entrepreneurs to the Cotroceni Palace. During the meeting, they reaffirmed their commitment to Romania’s Euro-Atlantic orientation and emphasized the importance of political and governmental stability.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 1
?? Mentions Over Time:
?? Breakdown by Media Type:
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)
?? Country: Bulgaria
Sofia International Airport renamed after Vasil Levski
?? Date: February 17, 2025
On Monday, February 17, Sofia International Airport was officially renamed after Vasil Levski, the national hero and revolutionary. The renaming ceremony took place one day before the 152nd anniversary of his death. The initiative was originally proposed by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in 2017 and was later supported by local authorities and the relevant ministries. President Rumen Radev formally announced the name change.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 0
?? Mentions Over Time: 0
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)
European Commission: Bulgaria ready to adopt the euro in 2026
?? Date: February 18, 2025
Bulgaria’s euro adoption process has been delayed for years, mainly due to extreme political instability (the country held seven parliamentary elections in four years). Following the October elections, the newly formed coalition government prioritized adopting the common currency. The European Commission views the planned January 1, 2026 adoption positively. According to Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, some tasks remain, but Bulgaria is on track to join the eurozone. The Bulgarian lev has been pegged to the Deutsche Mark and later the euro since 1997.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 4
?? Mentions Over Time:
?? Breakdown by Media Type:
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)
Foreign visitor numbers in Bulgaria increased by nearly 9% in 2024
?? Date: February 17, 2025
According to the National Statistical Institute (NSI), the number of foreign tourists visiting Bulgaria in 2024 increased by 8.8% compared to the previous year. A total of 5,793,225 foreign arrivals were recorded, with 3 million visitors coming from other EU countries. The highest number of tourists—over one million—came from neighboring Romania.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 3
?? Mentions Over Time:
?? Breakdown by Media Type:
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)
?? Country: Croatia
Consumer boycott extends to banks and the telecommunications sector
?? Date: February 17, 2025
In recent weeks, Croatia (along with several neighboring countries) has witnessed consumer boycotts due to high prices. Encouraged by the boycott of retail chains, the activist platform "Halo, Inspektore" has extended the movement to banks and telecommunications companies. Organizers called for a protest outside the National Bank on February 20 to express dissatisfaction with dominant firms in these sectors.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 0
?? Mentions Over Time: 0
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)
Osijek-Baranja County named European Wine Capital of the Year
?? Date: February 18, 2025
On Monday morning, Mario Kordi?, the mayor of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and last year's titleholder, officially handed over the "European Wine Capital" title to Mato Luki?, the prefect of Osijek-Baranja County. Since 2012, the European Network of Wine Cities (RECEVIN) has awarded this prestigious title to regions and cities renowned for winemaking, giving them a platform to showcase their gastronomic and cultural heritage.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 1
?? Mentions Over Time:
?? Breakdown by Media Type:
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)
?? Country: Slovenia
Croatian police officers assist on Slovenian ski slopes during the season
?? Date: February 18, 2025
Two Croatian police officers are assisting their Slovenian colleagues on the country's ski slopes until March 2. In eastern Slovenia, next week marks the winter school break for primary and secondary school students, leading to increased visitor numbers at ski resorts. The rise in visitors also results in more skiing injuries, although over 90% of them are minor.
?? Media Coverage in Hungary:
?? Total Mentions: 0
?? Mentions Over Time: 0
(Source: OBSERVER Media Monitoring)