Slovakia

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Live: Coronavirus Updates

Why Populists Love the Pandemic

In Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and (in a way) the UK, anti-establishment populists now lead governments; in Germany, France, and Italy, they are major components of the parliamentary opposition.

In a country where polls show more than half of people believe conspiracy theories and two-thirds do not trust state institutions, hoaxes and fake news have an infectious power.

Live: Coronavirus Updates

Why Populists Love the Pandemic

Roma: Europe's Neglected Coronavirus Victims

Hungary 'No Longer a Democracy' After Coronavirus Law

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Live: Coronavirus Updates

Don't Leave Roma Out of EU Enlargement Talks

Roma Face Brunt of Western Balkans Demographic Crisis

From the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia to Bulgaria, Romania, Kosovo and Serbia, Roma are often confined to overcrowded neighbourhoods with limited access to infrastructure including clean water and sewage.

AGERPRES Romanian National News Agency celebrates 131 since establishment on 27 March.   Since 1889 until now, AGERPRES has broadcast millions of news items, documentary materials and photographs.   After 131 years since its first news item, AGERPRES has received congratulations messages from partner media organisations and news agencies.

The U.S. House of Representatives will begin debate on a $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid bill on March 27 as virus cases in the country rose to the highest in the world.

Mainland China reported its first locally transmitted case in three days, while India slashed interest rates.   

Deaths, infections

"No other government in Slovak history has ever started in such a complicated situation," President Zuzana Caputova said in a speech on March 19, expressing confidence that the cabinet would lead the country through the coronavirus crisis..

In the semi-democracies of the region, as lives moved from the public to the digital sphere, many freedoms were likewise suspended, while the burden of responsibility for violations fell on citizens as government imposed restrictions that in many cases flouted normal standards of human rights.

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Roma Face Brunt of Western Balkans Demographic Crisis

However, one fundamental failure looks set to be repeated: a blatant refusal to consider the situation facing the Roma minority in the Western Balkans and how Roma people themselves could benefit from a new approach to EU enlargement.

Hungary has become another European country today, announcing drastic restrictions on public life, including border closures and restrictions on movement to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, AFP reported.

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Coronavirus: Live Updates

Tight-Lipped Balkan Governments Scramble to Defend Against COVID-19

The Pandemic Stress Test

In Central Europe, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia have declared states of emergency and Poland has declared a "state of epidemic threat".