Japanese Credit Rating Agency (JCR) confirmed Poland's long-term credit rating in foreign currency at "A" and in domestic currency at "A+", with stable outlooks for both. The agency stated in a report that Poland's economic fundamentals and external liquidity remain strong, supporting the current rating. Poland, the largest economy in Central and Eastern Europe, has a nominal GDP of approximately $1 billion. The ratings reflect the country's developed economic base and solid external liquidity. Over recent years, Poland's economic growth has remained high among EU member states, with real GDP growth reaching 3.6% in 2025. Despite a rising budget deficit and public debt projected to exceed 70% of GDP by 2028, JCR noted that some increase in fiscal burdens could be tolerated. This is because a portion of the growing debt will be financed by long-term loans from the European Union. As a result, JCR maintained the ratings with a stable outlook. The JCR rating scale, from highest to lowest, includes: AAA (highest confidence in debt repayment ability), AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C (very high risk of default), LD (partial default), and D (complete default). Ratings from AA to B can include a "+" or "-" modifier, depending on the strength of the assessment at each level.#european_union #poland #japanese_credit_rating_agency #central_and_eastern_europe #jcr_rating_scale
Should Europe Revert to Nuclear Power? The European Union is considering a renewed reliance on nuclear energy to bolster its power supply. This stance was declared by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a nuclear energy summit near Paris, where representatives from about 40 countries gathered. She described the previous shift away from nuclear power as a "strategic error." The summit also featured discussions on the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), a technology that has sparked debate across Europe. The continent’s media remains divided on the issue. Von der Leyen, who previously served as a senior minister in Angela Merkel’s government, played a key role in accelerating Germany’s nuclear phase-out following the Fukushima disaster. Her return to advocating nuclear energy has raised questions about how quickly this strategic shift will translate into concrete EU policies. Critics are skeptical about the feasibility of reviving the nuclear sector, while others argue that the EU must act swiftly to address energy security concerns. Several Eastern European nations have already embarked on nuclear projects without direct EU intervention. For instance, Poland is preparing its first major nuclear project in Pomerania, while Czechia plans to double its nuclear energy output by building new reactors with South Korea. Bulgaria is also expanding its Kozloduj nuclear plant, and multiple countries have formed an industrial alliance to advance SMR technology since 2024. These efforts suggest that nuclear energy is gaining traction in parts of Europe, even as the EU seeks to coordinate a unified approach. However, skepticism persists.#ursula_von_der_leyen #small_modular_reactors #european_union #zaporizhzhia_nuclear_plant #poland
EU Shifts Back to Nuclear Energy, Expert Criticizes Move The European Union is reversing its previous stance on nuclear energy, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen labeling the earlier abandonment of atomic power as a "strategic error." This shift comes amid growing concerns over energy security, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, Volker Quaschning, a professor of regenerative energy systems at HTW Berlin, argues that Germany’s exit from nuclear energy is both logical and necessary. He describes the technology as "very expensive and risky," dismissing the idea of a nuclear energy revival in the country. Quaschning points out that Germany’s six operational nuclear reactors contributed only three percent to the nation’s total energy supply. He emphasizes that this minimal share would offer little relief during the current oil and gas crisis. To make a significant impact, he estimates that Germany would need to build between 50 and 100 new reactors. Such a plan, he argues, is unrealistic, noting that politicians would struggle to gain public support for such a massive infrastructure project. The expert also questions the feasibility of the EU’s push for small modular reactors, which are intended to be cheaper and more scalable. Quaschning highlights that nuclear energy remains three times more costly than solar and wind power, casting doubt on whether mini-reactors could offer meaningful economic advantages. He further criticizes the idea of relying on nuclear plants to provide continuous power, suggesting that this approach would require curtailing solar energy production during the day. Instead, Quaschning advocates for advancing energy storage solutions to manage surplus solar power generated during daylight hours.#middle_east #ursula_von_der_leyen #european_union #volker_quaschning #htw_berlin
