Political upheaval has been shaking Slovakia, halting legislative efforts and endangering the country's readiness to face the energy and other crises, according to Havel & Partners Partner Stepan Starha. 

The upcoming tax reform, legislation on FDI control measures, and skyrocketing investments in business premises are the key updates for Slovenia, alongside major mergers in the banking sector, according to ODI Law Partner Branko Ilic.

High levels of market activity despite regional tensions and rising uncertainty relating to the war in Ukraine, an ever-more inclusive financial regulatory framework, and a blossoming energy sector are the hot topics in Latvia, according to TGS Baltic Partner Inese Hazenfusa.

The energy crisis has a pivotal role in Latvia’s political agenda, with the government focusing on investments in onshore and offshore energy projects and legislative packages to mitigate the crisis-related outcomes, according to Ellex Managing Partner Liga Merwin.

Major transactions are taking place in the energy sector in Poland and the country is preparing to address gas shortages for the upcoming winter, while dealing with soaring inflation and high-interest rates, according to Penteris Partner Przemyslaw Kastyak.

Energy is the major topic in Romania, with updated regulations on energy trading and offshore gas production already being in place, and the business sector hoping for a legal framework on hydrogen projects, according to Ijdelea & Associates Managing Partner Oana Ijdelea.

A slowdown in capital market transactions and some M&A activities, a governmental crisis and tensions with the Russian-speaking population, and rising energy prices and inflation were all hallmarks of Estonia’s past six months. While the geopolitical situation and economic situation remain tough, direct investments in Estonia seem to be getting back on track, across a number of sectors, according to Cobalt Partner Marina Kotkas.

Fraught with institutional uncertainty and political instability, times are difficult and uncertain in Montenegro, according to Jovovic Mugosa & Vukovic law office Managing Partner Vanja Mugosa.

A lull in the markets and legislative activity, due to political and global concerns, is offset by high foreign finance confidence and high foreign investor interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with client-driven ESG projects a particularly bright spot, according to Attorney-at-Law Andrea Zubovic-Devedzic, a Partner of CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz.

The new government, looking to implement sweeping tax reform, introduce more socially oriented policies, and reorganize the country’s energy framework, is keeping Slovenian lawyers talking, along with the steady stream of M&A and financing mandates, according to Partner Igor Angelovski of Ketler & Partners, a member of Karanovic.

Potential political switch-up, construction legislation changes, and economic ups and downs are the talk of the town in the Czech Republic, according to Havel & Partners Partner Robert Nespurek.

Influenced by geopolitics and the ongoing state of emergency measures, Lithuania is dealing with high construction prices and a decreasing number of investments, according to Noor Managing Partner Giedrius Murauskas.

The long-awaited Commercial Court finally being functional and the anticipated reforms on minimum wages and the verification and confiscation of unjustified assets are the key talking points in Kosovo, according to Deloitte Kosova Legal Manager Ardian Rexha.

A strong flow of legislative updates, a number of active business sectors, and the upcoming presidential election in the fall – this is what’s in the cards for Austria, according to BMA Law & Tax Attorney at Law Herbert Hildenbrandt.

High levels of migration from Russia and Ukraine have been causing a boom in the real estate sector in Serbia, in a period of overall legislative slowdown, according to Zivkovic Samardzic Partner Branislav Zivkovic.

Several legislative updates will support the legal profession in Bulgaria, according to Gugushev & Partners Partner Dafinka Stoycheva, with the push toward green energy, (another) pending government change, and a landmark CJEU decision also at the top of the agenda for lawyers in the country.

Tax legislation updates are the zeitgeist in Austria right now, according to Taylor Wessing Partner Michaela Petritz-Klar, with the energy sector, cryptocurrencies, and online platforms being at the forefront of overhaul efforts.

Preparedness and adaptability are the Serbian keys to doing business in a changing and challenging environment, according to Partner Andjelka Todorovic of Law Office Miroslav Stojanovic, in cooperation with Wolf Theiss.