Political Spotlight on Pope’s Visit while Czech President in Hospital

Polish political scene hits a plateau as opinion polls indicate a stalemate in terms of support for the government versus the opposition. Bulgaria heads into third parliamentary elections this year with its electoral cycle in limbo. Czech President Miloš Zeman remains hospitalized which means the fate of Andrej Babiš being re-elected Prime Minister may be on the line. Politicians like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán use Pope Francis’s visit to the CEE to carve out political dividends while the national agenda of local bishops in the region as well as their lack of conviction in the Pope's conservative credentials carries over tensions from the Vatican.