The primary drivers of the Albanian economy are centered around two main sectors – real estate and energy – with increasing shortages of qualified workers emerging as a key hurdle, according to Hoxha, Memi & Hoxha Partner Andi Memi.

Despite the war still impacting the Hungarian market, there are also opportunities in the green economy and energy, as well as the Hungarian start-up scene, according to Bird & Bird Head of Energy & Utilities and Competition & EU Daniel Aranyi.

Croatia's labor market is experiencing an intense early 2023, as a new set of various amendments – including regulations prohibiting retail work on Sundays and public holidays – is about to take effect, according to Babic & Partners Partner Marija Gregoric.

As the Albanian government seeks to utilize the energy crisis as a catalyst for encouraging energy investments and production, significant changes are expected in the country's overall legislation – in light of the negotiation process – to comply with EU standards, according to Deloitte Legal Local Legal Partner Sabina Lalaj.

The major discussion points in Turkey have been drastically different – before and after the earthquake – with the upcoming elections gaining new importance, according to KP Law Managing Partner Onur Kucuk.

Polish lawyers are actively discussing two legislative acts – one regulating family foundations and the other focused on remote work – set to impact their practices, according to KWKR Konieczny Wierzbicki & Partners Managing Partner Michal Konieczny.

The real estate market in Lithuania is in flux, facing significant challenges and, at the same time, providing numerous opportunities to explore, according to Fort Legal Partner Ruta Radzeviciute-Meizeraite.

The Hungarian government is actively shaping the market and there are both positive and negative effects on many levels, according to Wolf Theiss Managing Partner Zoltan Faludi.

Finding its balance after a general election, Estonia is looking at a year of potential IT sector labor force shake-ups, a likely uptick of reorganization and bankruptcy procedures, as well as a potential real estate sector slowdown, according to Magnusson Estonia Managing Partner Jaanus Magi.

A massive government bond program, an exciting local start-up exit to Google, and several recent and upcoming legislative updates are high on Croatian lawyers' agendas, according to Vukmir & Associates Managing Partner Tomislav Pedisic.

The Russian invasion is still ongoing, affecting all areas of life in Ukraine, but there are slivers of hope and reasons to stay positive and optimistic, according to Kinstellar Partner Alla Kozachenko.

Amidst a wave of reorganizations and restructurings in the country, new businesses are looking to enter Slovakia – but have to face its new FDI screening mechanism. Despite the slight economic downturn, there is yet reason to hope for better days, according to DLA Piper Country Managing Partner Michaela Stessl, especially given the prospects of the automotive sector.