The refugee crisis and related organizational adjustments are the major challenges faced by Poland, according to DWF Country Managing Partner Michal Pawlowski."Times are extremely challenging and turbulent," Pawlowski begins. "The COVID-19-related situation was finally becoming normalized, after different strains, restrictions, and vaccination-related public discourse. However, since late February, we are facing an even more extreme situation, that is, the Russian invasion in Ukraine."

Slovakia’s biggest challenges, in light of the ongoing war in the neighboring country, are dealing with sanctions and seeking alternative sources of supplies for its automotive industry, and implementing renewable energy projects, according to Eversheds Sutherland Managing Partner Bernhard Hager.

Recent cyber-attacks, the emergence of AI services, and a new Ministry of e-Government are among the widely discussed issues in Bulgaria, according to PPG Lawyers Managing Partner Irena Georgieva.

The Hungarian economy is performing well, despite all the turmoil Europe finds itself in currently, according to Kinstellar Budapest Managing Partner Kristof Ferenczi.

As Ukraine’s neighboring country, the war has added extra complexity to Slovakia’s existing economic challenges, according to Dentons Partner Patricia Gossanyiova.

War-related concerns have put the new government’s plans and a number of business transactions on hold, according to Schoenherr Local Partner Ilko Stoyanov.

The current primary focus of the Czech government is to help Ukrainian refugees and deal with the various issues surrounding sanctions against Russia, according to Kinstellar Partner Jan Juroska.

The Lithuanian government seems to be jumping from one fire to another between war-related crises, high inflation rate and fuel prices, and a lack of commodities, according to Magnusson Managing Partner Ligita Ramanauskaite.

With a new government firmly in place, Romania is finding new economic stability, although there are issues surrounding the ever-increasing prices of energy, according to Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii Deputy Managing Partner Bogdan Stoica.

In light of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections and a relatively inactive legislative phase, Serbia’s potential free trade agreement with China is one of the major economic topics in the country, according to Bojovic Draskovic Popovic & Partners Partner Vuk Draskovic.

ESG, compliance, laws incentivizing companies to run their offices in Poland, and the tax "Polish Deal" are among the most debated legislative issues in the country, says B2RLaw Partner Aleksandra Polak.

The promise of a return to normal, considerable public debt, a controversial WWII compensation ruling, AML-linked blockages, and a potential real estate bubble are the main discussion topics among lawyers in Latvia according to Reihmanis & Partners Partner Karlis Reihmanis.

With the economy returning to pre-pandemic levels, and digital transformation being a priority, Russia is on the right track for a good 2022, according to Liniya Prava Managing Partner Dmitriy Chepurenko.

Following a major political change in the country six months ago, Moldova is in the process of sweeping legislative reforms seeking to elevate the country’s business landscape, according to Brodsky Uskov Looper Reed & Partners Partner Ivan Turcan.

The biggest story in Croatia, according to Kovacevic Prpic Simeunovic Partner Martina Prpic, is the preparatory work for the upcoming switch to EUR as the official currency, complemented by EU-driven updates impacting consumer protection, agriculture, and the upcoming tourist season.

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the pandemic’s legal implications, and energy are the hottest topics in Romania right now, with public procurement being a common thread, according to Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii Litigation Partner Dan Cristea.

Economic optimism in the face of adversity, the introduction of English law instruments, and some new potential for growth are the highlights in Belarus, according to Aleinikov & Partners Senior Partner Denis Aleinikov.

Recent legislative proposals aimed at combatting corruption and reforming the judicial system, including the establishment of a commercial court are the factors, that could lead to more favorable conditions for foreign investments in Kosovo, according to RZZ Law Partner Engjell Rexhepi.