Economic risks rising in central Europe: IMF

London

THE worst of the economic slump in Russia may be over, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday, but warned that possible eurozone stagnation and shifting politics make central Europe's prospects increasingly uncertain.

The IMF's twice-yearly regional outlook for Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) said the rise of populist parties in some countries as well as limp global growth and ageing populations were all aggravating the strains.

Using forecasts produced last month, it said growth in the central channel from Poland down to Turkey would remain as healthy as 3-4 per cent this year, whereas Russia and most of its former Soviet nei…