The country's EU candidate status and grave security concerns gave rise to far-reaching legislative reform in Moldova, with IPOs and digitalization in full swing, according to ACI Partners Partner Cristina Martin.

The Czech Republic is looking at a promising start to the year, after somewhat of a market slowdown towards the end of 2022, with no dark clouds on the horizon just yet, according to Schoenherr Partner Vladimir Cizek.

Developments in legislation, controversy on the measures dealing with the energy crisis, and interesting M&A transactions are the major talking points in Slovenia, according to Ulcar & Partnerji Managing Partner Matjaz Ulcar.

Much like in other countries in the region, Latvia experienced a strong finish to 2022, with bustling M&A activity being driven primarily by the current geopolitical and economic developments, according to Vilgerts Partner Julija Jerneva.

Poland is experiencing a lot of regulatory and legislative changes, primarily driven by (new) EU directives. The energy, commercial, employment, and consumer protection sectors are all in flux, according to Cezary Zelaznicki, PwC Legal Poland Managing Partner and PwC EMEA Legal Business Solutions Leader.

This is a breakthrough moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina as the country receives the EU membership candidacy status but, still, there are difficulties ahead, according to Miljkovic & Partners Managing Partner Sead Miljkovic.

Estonia’s present and future are linked to information technology, blockchain, and different technology-currency relations, with new regulations on the horizon, according to Hedman Law Firm Partner Toomas Seppel.

Despite missile strikes, businesses and society adapt to the new reality, with some non-war-related transactions in the works, according to Peterka & Partners Partner Taras Utiralov.

The global economic downturn has hit Hungary much like the rest of the region but the country may be on its way to a quick recovery on the wings of diverse and dispersed investor interest, according to BLS-CEE Hungary Partner Erzsebet Szalay.

In Lithuania, M&A transactions are up, litigation procedures are down, and the Competition Council has been handing out hefty fines for cartel infringements, according to Triniti Jurex Managing Partner Vilija Viesunaite.

Despite the constitutional crisis in Montenegro, there is still a steady inflow of diverse foreign direct investments, and the country's GDP is expected to increase, yet Harrisons Head of Montenegro Milan Keker remains cautious.

Controversial consumer loans, unfair competition-related disputes, and changes to long-term agreements due to force- majeure events are all increasingly frequent in Poland these days, according to Wolf Theiss Partner Peter Daszkowski.

Lack of public trust in the legal system together with factors beyond the country's control are adding to the complexity of the challenges in North Macedonia, yet things are going better than expected, according to Polenak Law Firm Managing Partner Kristijan Polenak.

Despite the political stalemate preventing any legislative movements and access to recovery and resilience funds, Bulgaria's markets are humming, according to Kambourov & Partners Partner Angel Rizov. Which is just as well, as the political crisis shows no signs of abating. 

It is a busy time of the year in Romania, according to Bancila, Diaconu si Asociatii Managing Partner Radu Diaconu, with interesting reports of regulatory updates on the ESG, tax, and companies front.

In Slovenia, everything revolves around energy, according to Rojs Peljhan Prelesnik & Partners Managing Partner Robert Prelesnik, with the government capping energy prices for large companies, beefing up subsidies, and considering capital injections for major energy players.

December will be a turbulent month in terms of legislation in Croatia, according to Miskovic & Miskovic Partner Iva Miskovic, as the parliament is addressing considerable changes in the fields of labor and trade law, while the transition to the euro enters into force on January 1.

Immigration from war-afflicted areas, issues with the national energy company, and contentious lithium extraction operations are keeping people talking in Serbia, according to Andrejic & Partners Managing Partner Aleksandar Andrejic.