{"id":1948802,"date":"2026-05-22T07:00:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T04:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1948802"},"modified":"2026-05-22T07:00:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T04:00:19","slug":"watch-why-europes-forgotten-power-bloc-is-making-a-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1948802","title":{"rendered":"Watch: Why Europe\u2019s forgotten power bloc is making a return"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/80\/68\/1200x675_cmsv2_3ea17cd7-f792-540a-9ef2-0a61d2ae41fc-9768068.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895663-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2895663\" data-cid=\"9768537\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895663-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/83\/50\/189x106_cmsv2_16e2ce7c-8415-5acd-a2b7-b58bce2fe1c6-9768350.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump takes part in an event devoted to easing federal regulations on refrigerants in the Oval Office of the White House, 21 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More US troops in Poland &#8211; What does the country have to say about it\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895696-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2895696\" data-cid=\"9768595\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895696-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/03\/189x106_cmsv2_d122a003-e4f1-53d2-9faf-05e61d4e069d-9768503.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Vincent Bollor\u00e9 attends a hearing before a parliamentary inquiry commission at the National Assembly in Paris on Wednesday, 13 March 2024.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hollywood stars sign petition against Bollor\u00e9\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894870-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2894870\" data-cid=\"9768447\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894870-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/40\/62\/189x106_cmsv2_34939c74-5be6-504d-9582-f314923fe331-9764062.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Outside a prison facility\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hunger and overcrowding in Europe&#8217;s prisons: where is your country?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895706-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2895706\" data-cid=\"9768549\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895706-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/49\/189x106_cmsv2_2d7ef565-d803-569d-8407-58a5c563c9fb-9768549.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Flames and smoke rise from an Ebola treatment center in Rwampara, Congo, Thursday, May 21, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Democratic Republic Of Congo<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Angry crowd sets fire to Ebola treatment center in Congo\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895663-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2895663\" data-cid=\"9768537\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895663-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/83\/50\/189x106_cmsv2_16e2ce7c-8415-5acd-a2b7-b58bce2fe1c6-9768350.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump takes part in an event devoted to easing federal regulations on refrigerants in the Oval Office of the White House, 21 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More US troops in Poland &#8211; What does the country have to say about it\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895696-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2895696\" data-cid=\"9768595\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895696-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/03\/189x106_cmsv2_d122a003-e4f1-53d2-9faf-05e61d4e069d-9768503.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Vincent Bollor\u00e9 attends a hearing before a parliamentary inquiry commission at the National Assembly in Paris on Wednesday, 13 March 2024.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hollywood stars sign petition against Bollor\u00e9\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894870-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2894870\" data-cid=\"9768447\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894870-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/40\/62\/189x106_cmsv2_34939c74-5be6-504d-9582-f314923fe331-9764062.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Outside a prison facility\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hunger and overcrowding in Europe&#8217;s prisons: where is your country?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895706-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2895706\" data-cid=\"9768549\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895706-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/85\/49\/189x106_cmsv2_2d7ef565-d803-569d-8407-58a5c563c9fb-9768549.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Flames and smoke rise from an Ebola treatment center in Rwampara, Congo, Thursday, May 21, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Democratic Republic Of Congo<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Angry crowd sets fire to Ebola treatment center in Congo\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe Today<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Watch: Why Europe\u2019s forgotten power bloc is making a return<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative u-max-width-1280 u-margin-x-auto\" data-video=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;xaap9fg&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:2895617,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Watch: Why Europeu2019s forgotten power bloc is making a return&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/44\/67\/23\/00\/SHD_PYR_4467230_20260521183810.mp4&quot;,&quot;programId&quot;:&quot;europe-today&quot;,&quot;player&quot;:&quot;dailymotion&quot;,&quot;geoBlock&quot;:[&quot;&quot;],&quot;sources&quot;:[{&quot;file&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/44\/67\/23\/00\/SHD_PYR_4467230_20260521183810.mp4&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;hd&quot;,&quot;default&quot;:true}],&quot;description&quot;:&quot;Pu00e9ter Magyar's first official foreign trip to Poland wrapped up yesterday. With the diplomatic dust is settling, all eyes are on the sudden resurrection of the Visegru00e1d Four. What this shift actually means for Europe?&quot;,&quot;isLive&quot;:false,&quot;articleUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/video\/2026\/05\/22\/watch-why-europes-forgotten-power-bloc-is-making-a-return&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:138920}\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/80\/68\/1536x864_cmsv2_3ea17cd7-f792-540a-9ef2-0a61d2ae41fc-9768068.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"JJ\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              JJ<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">JJ<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright\">\n      Copyright\u00a0JJ\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspJakub Janas\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1779433219\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-22 09:00:19 +02:00\">22\/05\/2026 &#8211; 9:00 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-partage-commentaire-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        P\u00e9ter Magyar&#8217;s first official foreign trip to Poland wrapped up yesterday. With the diplomatic dust is settling, all eyes are on the sudden resurrection of the Visegr\u00e1d Four. What this shift actually means for Europe?<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>The Visegr\u00e1d Four (V4) was set up in 1991 to guide these post-communist neighbours into the West. But beyond geography, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary are bound by the same massive Central European automotive and manufacturing supply chains and a shared goal to protect billions in EU cohesion funding. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Their most significant political impact came in 2015, when their coordinated resistance forced Brussels to abandon mandatory migration quotas.<\/p>\n<p>But this is no longer the poor relation of Western Europe. Central Europe enters this new chapter with economic strength. <\/p>\n<p>Look at the data: last year, Poland led the continent with a booming 4.1% real household income growth, while Germany lagged at 0.6% and Austria&#8217;s household income even declined. And this wealth flip gives the region confidence.<\/p>\n<p>Magyar is even pitching a bold plan to merge the V4 with Austria, with reports suggesting Vienna is receptive to a Benelux-style alliance. <\/p>\n<p>However, to be more realistic: can this bloc actually deliver anything tangible? <\/p>\n<p>Critics point out that the V4 has historically struggled to look beyond its own internal divisions. In the past, cooperation was derailed by fears of a revived Austrian hegemony, and today, old bilateral disputes between neighbours like Slovakia and Hungary still cause friction.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, acting as &#8220;one voice&#8221; in Brussels won&#8217;t be seamless. And while they aim to cooperate on regional energy and transport infrastructure, geopolitical fault lines remain. Hungary, Czechia, and Slovakia\u2014unlike Poland\u2014 are opting out of the EU&#8217;s ninety-billion-euro loan package for Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Will potential divisions stop this bloc from making a real impact? Only time will tell. However, with Magyar finally in the fold, it turns out the three musketeers were just waiting for their fourth.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Watch the Euronews video in the player above for the full story.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Winners and losers: Real household income growth across Europe in 2025<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Visegr\u00e1d group eyes revival with post-Orb\u00e1n Hungary<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Hungary&#8217;s Magyar seeks EU funds deal &#8216;next week&#8217; in Brussels <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n   Czechia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Visegrad group<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Visegr\u00e1d countries<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Slovakia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Poland<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Hungary<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895639-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895639\" data-cid=\"9768313\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895639-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/01\/320x180_cmsv2_878879e3-02a7-5c5d-a32f-913b2d502944-9768201.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump in his limousine at Andrews Air Force Base, 20 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump to send extra 5,000 US troops to Poland<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895643-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895643\" data-cid=\"9768229\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895643-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/29\/320x180_cmsv2_32c98716-61e1-58e9-93f6-50675f440021-9768229.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The US Capitol building is seen, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Republicans cancel vote on War Powers Resolution that was near passing<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895659-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895659\" data-cid=\"9768345\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895659-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/83\/45\/320x180_cmsv2_8c126a3f-894d-5ca5-bf92-0c90dadef407-9768345.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends at a press conference at the US Embassy in Rome, Friday, May 8, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rubio doubtful diplomatic means would work with the Cuban government<br \/>\n  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class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895649-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895649\" data-cid=\"9768285\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895649-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/85\/320x180_cmsv2_d7e322b0-2c83-5819-807c-35f0a924abbb-9768285.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU to remove remaining barriers as it reviews trade deal with Mexico<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span 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tensions spike<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895473-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895473\" data-cid=\"9767321\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mon Dieu! Agatha Christie&#8217;s Poirot is getting a reboot<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895149-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895149\" data-cid=\"9765467\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine and Hungary move to resolve deadlock over minority rights that has stalled Kyiv\u2019s EU bid<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895436-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895436\" data-cid=\"9767086\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latvia issues warning after detecting UAV in its airspace<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895639-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895639\" data-cid=\"9768313\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895639-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/01\/320x180_cmsv2_878879e3-02a7-5c5d-a32f-913b2d502944-9768201.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump in his limousine at Andrews Air Force Base, 20 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump to send extra 5,000 US troops to Poland<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895643-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895643\" data-cid=\"9768229\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895643-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/29\/320x180_cmsv2_32c98716-61e1-58e9-93f6-50675f440021-9768229.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The US Capitol building is seen, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Republicans cancel vote on War Powers Resolution that was near passing<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895659-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895659\" data-cid=\"9768345\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895659-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/83\/45\/320x180_cmsv2_8c126a3f-894d-5ca5-bf92-0c90dadef407-9768345.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends at a press conference at the US Embassy in Rome, Friday, May 8, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rubio doubtful diplomatic means would work with the Cuban government<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895330-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895330\" data-cid=\"9766562\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895330-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/65\/62\/320x180_cmsv2_7167ed5e-99dc-5b11-b323-855bf88bfbf7-9766562.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - People looking at a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster (2014) sport car, before an auction in Switzerland 29 Sept. 2019. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European countries hand the most income to the ultra-rich?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895649-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895649\" data-cid=\"9768285\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895649-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/82\/85\/320x180_cmsv2_d7e322b0-2c83-5819-807c-35f0a924abbb-9768285.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, May 11, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU to remove remaining barriers as it reviews trade deal with Mexico<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895164-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895164\" data-cid=\"9765542\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Winners and losers: Real household income growth across Europe in 2025<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895435-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895435\" data-cid=\"9767084\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia delivers nuclear warheads to Belarus as NATO tensions spike<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895473-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895473\" data-cid=\"9767321\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mon Dieu! Agatha Christie&#8217;s Poirot is getting a reboot<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895149-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895149\" data-cid=\"9765467\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine and Hungary move to resolve deadlock over minority rights that has stalled Kyiv\u2019s EU bid<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895436-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895436\" data-cid=\"9767086\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latvia issues warning after detecting UAV in its airspace<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">The Visegr\u00e1d Four (V4) was set up in 1991 to guide these post-communist neighbours into the West. But beyond geography, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary are bound by the same massive Central European automotive and manufacturing supply chains and a shared goal to protect billions in EU cohesion funding.Their most significant political impact came in 2015, when their coordinated resistance forced Brussels to abandon mandatory migration quotas.But this is no longer the poor relation of Western Europe. Central Europe enters this new chapter with economic strength.Look at the data: last year, Poland led the continent with a booming 4.1% real household income growth, while Germany lagged at 0.6% and Austria&#8217;s household income even declined. And this wealth flip gives the region confidence.Magyar is even pitching a bold plan to merge the V4 with Austria, with reports suggesting Vienna is receptive to a Benelux-style alliance.However, to be more realistic: can this bloc actually deliver anything tangible?Critics point out that the V4 has historically struggled to look beyond its own internal divisions. In the past, cooperation was derailed by fears of a revived Austrian hegemony, and today, old bilateral disputes between neighbours like Slovakia and Hungary still cause friction.Moreover, acting as &#8220;one voice&#8221; in Brussels won&#8217;t be seamless. And while they aim to cooperate on regional energy and transport infrastructure, geopolitical fault lines remain. Hungary, Czechia, and Slovakia\u2014unlike Poland\u2014 are opting out of the EU&#8217;s ninety-billion-euro loan package for Ukraine.Will potential divisions stop this bloc from making a real impact? Only time will tell. However, with Magyar finally in the fold, it turns out the three musketeers were just waiting for their fourth.Watch the Euronews video in the player above for the full story.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/22\/watch-why-europes-forgotten-power-bloc-is-making-a-return&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/80\/68\/1200x675_cmsv2_3ea17cd7-f792-540a-9ef2-0a61d2ae41fc-9768068.jpg&#8221;] Europe News More US troops in Poland &#8211; What does the country have to say about it Culture news Hollywood stars sign petition against Bollor\u00e9 Europe News Hunger and overcrowding in Europe&#8217;s prisons: where is your country? Democratic Republic Of Congo Angry crowd sets fire to Ebola treatment center in Congo Europe [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1948802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1948802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1948802"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1948802\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1948802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1948802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1948802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}