After eight years with the MET Group, Legal Director Sandor Zorad reflects on the company’s path to international expansion.

An in-depth look at Balazs Dominek of Szabo Kelemen & Partners Andersen Attorneys covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.

Following the recent election in Slovakia, the newly formed government has shifted its legislative focus. CLS Cavojsky & Partners Partner Peter Cavojsky and Taylor Wessing Partner Andrej Leontiev explore how the government’s priorities have changed in terms of public spending, criminal justice reform, and relations with non-governmental organizations.

Slovakia has undertaken a comprehensive reform of its court system. Peterka & Partners Partner Andrea Butasova and Ruzicka & Partners Partner Sarlota Stosova explore the ambitious restructuring and its consequences, the challenges encountered during its implementation, and its far-reaching implications for legal professionals and the justice system of Slovakia.

With a background in international law firms, Marcela Augustinic transitioned to become the first general counsel at DM Drogerie Markt in Slovakia, where she has been serving for the last eight years. Augustinic shares her strategies for balancing internal and external legal resources to tackle emerging regulatory challenges and drive sustainable growth in the ever-evolving market.

An in-depth look at Viliam Mysicka of Kinstellar covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) has embarked on a transformative journey in its energy sector as both Republika Srpska (RS) and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBH) initiated comprehensive amendments of the energy legislative framework in an effort to reshape the country’s energy sector landscape and align the legislation with Energy Community regulations, EU acquis, and international standards and best practices.

Renewable energy is a key priority within the EU due to its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This has intensified following the energy crisis experienced in 2021 and 2022. Against the backdrop of the post-crisis environment, and driven by the REPowerEU initiative, Croatia is adopting crucial legislation – the Rules on the organization of the wholesale electricity markets (Rules).

The Romanian Energy Regulator (ANRE) recently published a proposal for a new procedure regarding the passporting in Romania of energy or natural gas supply and trading licenses issued in other EU countries, based on ANRE’s confirmatory decisions (New Passporting Procedure).

On December 29, 2023, Law no.429/2023 on amendments of the Law on natural gas no.108/2018 entered into force. The amendment contains some provisions regarding the creation and maintenance of natural gas stocks. Thus, the government will undertake the necessary measures to ensure the use, until November 1 of each year, of the natural gas storage capacity in the storage facilities of other countries that are part of the Energy Community and of the member states of the European Union.

In mid-2023, the Bulgarian Parliament finally formed a steady Government. The Parliament also introduced predictability in the regulatory environment for renewables along with several legislative developments.

As the year 2024 unfolds, Greece stands as a shining beacon of opportunity in the energy sector, particularly in the realm of renewable energy. The Greek energy market has undergone a profound transformation in recent years, embracing a diverse and sustainable energy mix that positions the country as an attractive investment destination.

As always in Slovakia, political changes are accompanied by personnel changes. Thus, having a new government and new deputies to the parliament has initiated the change of the key personnel, including the head of the Regulatory Office for Network Industries (URSO) and of the Slovak electricity transmission system, Plc. (SEPS).

Poland stands out as an EU member state with extremely high reliance on power generated from coal and lignite. In 2023, 63% of its electricity was produced from these resources. Still, this marks the lowest-ever share of coal and lignite-fired electricity in Poland’s annual production thanks to the rapid growth of wind and solar plants.

On February 14, 2024, the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority (MEKH) approved the Network Development Plan 2023 submitted as a result of the coordinated work of the Hungarian TSO (transmission system operator – MAVIR Zrt.) and distribution network operators.

With the introduction of a recent omnibus legislative proposition presented to the Grand National Assembly on January 29, 2024, a significant legislative shift will occur in Turkiye’s renewable energy production sector.

Despite martial law, Ukraine has significantly advanced its renewable energy agenda over the last year. Ukraine’s trajectory in the renewable energy sector is not merely a response to challenges but a proactive and strategic approach to shaping a greener and more sustainable future.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.