The abrupt resignation of one leader, a shock election defeat for another and tens of thousands of anti-government protesters flocking to the streets in one of the region’s capitals.
Central Europe is used to the odd political earthquake, but few have come together to threaten the order as much as in the past few days. And as Chancellor Angela Merkel steps down next door in Germany, the developments could prove critical for the European Union’s backyard.
The most seismic was in Austria, where Chancellor Sebastian Kurz resigned over a corruption scandal. He denies all allegations against him and will still wield influence, but it’s a decisive setback. Elections in the neighboring Czech Republic dealt an unexpected blow to billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who is now reliant on an ailing president to give him a shot at clinging to power.
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