Domestic Politics
Various opposition groups in Russia are planning to hold an online protest today against the proposed constitutional reforms that would keep President Vladimir Putin in power till 2036. They are also demanding “urgent measures to save people and the country” from the coronavirus-induced crisis. The event will be streamed on YouTube, and several prominent opposition figures will be speaking. [DW]
The Czech Republic has announced that it will open its borders to EU businessmen and university students starting this week. However, all incoming foreigners will have to show certification of a negative test result for the coronavirus in the past four days. The ban on free movement within the country has also been lifted, and people will be allowed to gather outside in groups of up to 10 people. However, other social distancing measures and face masks continue to be compulsory. [BBC]
Russia has announced that it is suspending grain exports–including rye, wheat, barley, and corn–until July 1. The government has introduced export quotas for certain grains until the end of June, but said that these were “fully exhausted”. [The Moscow Times]
International Relations
Hungary and China have signed a loan agreement to finance the construction of a railway link between Budapest and Belgrade. Finance Minister Mihaly Varga said that the loan had a fixed interest rate and an early repayment option, but the exact terms of the deal have not been disclosed yet. [Reuters]
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and US President Donald Trump spoke over the phone on the weekend to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, economic and medical strategies, and the partnership between the two nations. According to Romanian officials, Trump signaled his intention to send ventilators to Romania. [Romania Insider]
Last week, the Justice Commissioner of the European Union, Didier Reynders, voiced the bloc’s concerns about emergency measures in Hungary and the upcoming presidential elections in Poland. However, he did not unveil any actions the body might take. [EU Observer]
Business
After agreeing to slash global oil production in the OPEC+ deal, Russia plans to halve oil exports to 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) from its Baltic and Black Sea ports in May. As Russian oil companies prepare for their biggest output cuts ever, some oil fields could shut down permanently. Under the deal, Moscow agreed to reduce its total output to 8.5 million bpd from a baseline of 11 million. [Reuters]
Law
The Hungarian government is likely to pass legislation that will end the legal recognition of transgender persons by defining gender as “biological sex based on primary sex characteristics and chromosomes”. This will not only make it impossible for people to legally change their gender, but could also target people who have already done so and now live with a gender that does not match their “sex at birth”. [The Guardian]
Image Source: Romania Insider
Eastern Europe in Review: April 28, 2020
Read more about the latest events from Eastern Europe.
April 28, 2020
