On July 17, 2024, Wolf Theiss announced that Altor’s acquisition of an 80% stake in Kommunalkredit Austria (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on February 10, 2023) is closed.

Wolf Theiss, working with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, Gorrissen Federspiel, and Hengeler Mueller, has advised Software AG on the carve-out and sale of its Super Integration Platform as a Service business to IBM. Binder Groesswang, working with Cravath, Swaine & Moore, advised IBM.

Wolf Theiss, working with Ropes & Gray, has advised American Industrial Partners on its investment in Austin Powder. Jones Day reportedly advised Austin Powder.

RTPR has advised Vectr Holdings on the indirect acquisition of the company that owns The Landmark office building in Bucharest from funds managed by Revetas Capital and affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management. Wolf Theiss advised Revetas Capital and Cerberus.

Last week was full of exciting news in relation to AI in Romania. First, the long-awaited AI Act was published in the EU’s Official Journal on 12 July, becoming Regulation (EU) 2024/1689. The AI Act is an essential part of the EU’s extensive digital strategy, alongside the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. The EU digital strategy aims to establish a thorough regulatory framework that tackles the diverse challenges and opportunities of the digital economy. Secondly, the Romanian Government approved the National Strategy regarding Artificial Intelligence (“AI Strategy”) on 11 July. The AI Strategy aims to contribute to Romania’s adoption of digital technologies in the economy and society, while respecting human rights and promoting excellence and trust in AI.

Wolf Theiss has advised the owners of Kecskemeti Konzerv on the sale of the company to Granit Group's subsidiary Agrar-Finance. Jalsovszky advised Granit Group.

The announcements made by the Hungarian Government on 8 July 2024 envisage a number of new and higher payment obligations, as well as other public taxes and restrictions, that will include a defence contribution, increased administrative fines, extra profit tax, changes to social contribution tax on entering the labour market, transaction and currency exchange levies

Wolf Theiss has advised Bob W on its entry into the Austrian market via a long-term lease agreement with Viennese developer Peter Pilz & Partner Projektentwicklungs, reportedly advised by Puschner Spernbauer Rosenauer.

On 5 June 2024, the Czech government introduced a proposal to the Czech Parliament that brings fundamental changes to fleet insurance in the Czech Republic. This proposal provides additional obligations on fleet policyholders. Please see the details below.

Wolf Theiss, working with Wiersholm, has advised the Schibsted group on the separation of its business into two companies – Schibsted Media and Schibsted Marketplaces.

The Act on Restrictive Measures (OG No. 133/2023, the “Act“) entered into force on 15 November 2023 (with the application of certain main provisions as of 15 May 2024). The Act establishes more effective due diligence and reporting procedures and mechanisms, which will enable the Republic of Croatia to implement new and more complex sanctions regimes from the European Union and United Nations.

A recent legislative amendment to Law no. 17/2014, concerning certain measures regulating the sale of extra muros agricultural land, which also amends Law no. 268/2001 on the privatisation of companies managing public and private state-owned agricultural land and the establishment of the State Domains Agency (“Law 17”), has been proposed in the Romanian Senate. This amendment aims to introduce a new category of pre-emptors: owners of land adjoining extra muros arable land, regardless of the location within or outside city limits and regardless of the land use category.

Wolf Theiss has advised Bulgarian-American Credit Bank on its issuance and listing of EUR 15 million 8.00% 2024-2034 subordinated tier 2 notes.

Bulgaria has outlined a procedure for electronic labour records (ELR) in a draft Ordinance published for public consultations on 21 May 2024. The switch to ELR will take effect on 1 June 2025, as stipulated by recent amendments to the Labour Code. This represents a significant step in the long-awaited digitalisation of employment records.

AP Legal has advised Raiffeisen Banka Belgrade on its issuance of MREL-eligible bonds on the Serbian market and their listing on the Belgrade Stock Exchange.

Wolf Theiss has advised the German bank NORD/LB on financing the purchase of the Format office building in Gdansk by Greenstone Format.

Linklaters, Freshfields, Bittera, Kohlrusz & Toth, and Herbert Smith Freehills have advised AviAlliance and co-shareholders on the sale of Budapest Airport to a consortium consisting of Hungarian state-owned Corvinus Zrt and French co-investor Vinci Airports for a total purchase price of EUR 3.1 billion and net debt of EUR 1.2 billion. CMS advised Corvinus. Kinstellar, working with Orrick, advised Vinci Airports. Wolf Theiss, working with Latham & Watkins, advised the lenders on financing the transaction.

On 27 April 2024, the Law of Ukraine, titled “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On State Regulation of Capital Markets and Organised Commodity Markets’ and Certain Other Statutory Acts of Ukraine Concerning Regulation and Supervision of Capital Markets and Organised Commodity Markets” (the Law), came into effect.