Articles and Publications

The phenomenon of illiberalism, cornerstone to the increasingly popular concept of illiberal democracy, has steadily gained all the more traction in the global policy discussion. In the European Union (EU), the consolidation of majoritarian, nativist leaderships is leading to many Member States’ backtracking on progressive agendas and openly pursuing policies that undermine the rights of minorities and the liberal-democratic system of checks and balances. Writes Alejandro Esteso Pérez, visiting fellow at EUROPEUM Institute.

The Faroe Islands, located in the North Atlantic, have long relied on fishing as the corner-stone of their economy, shaping their economic and social identity. However, the decline in em-ployment in this sector in recent decades, coupled with the global problems of overfishing, un-derlines the fragility of this dependence. Writes intern Bára Auerová in her blog.

On December 10th, Think Visegrad in Brussels organised an expert discussion on Reassessing EU-US relations after the EP and US elections: Views from Central Europe (and beyond). The debate examined the potential implications of Donald Trump’s re-election for the EU and the transatlantic relationship. Attended by experts, policymakers, and academics, the session explored critical challenges and opportunities across political, security, and economic dimensions. The debate aimed to foster an in-depth understanding of how the policies of the Trump administration might reshape the EU’s strategic choices and influence EU-US relations.

This paper contextualizes and analyzes data pertaining to democratic participation, institutional trust, and integration of the Visegrád Group—Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—into the European Union twenty years since accession. This paper explores the history and functionality of the Visegrád Group as a political collective both before and during EU membership. A representative survey across the four countries provides substantive insights into the current state of EU cohesion during a critical period for the community. Writes Henry Barrett in his Policy Paper.

With the ongoing debate on EU enlargement, the question of Treaty revision to ensure the EU’s actionability in the future is on the table. While some member states believe that the current state of the Treaties is fitting for a Union of 35+ members, others call for Treaty revision before enlargement. In 2022, the European Parliament took the discussion a step further by passing a resolution suggesting far-reaching revisions to the Treaties. Writes Marek Jankovský, an intern at EUROPEUM's Brussels office.

The result from the 2024 Presidential elections has, once again, shook the foundations of the Transatlantic relationship – but to what degree, remains the question. This policy paper compiles the key insights and deliberations from the Forum, which adhered to the Chatham House Rule to protect participant confidentiality. Based on the engaging discussions, this paper offers a comprehensive set of takeaways, including actionable recommendations and a strategic “To-Do list” for the transatlantic alliance in the coming years. Writes researcher at EUROPEUM Institute Danielle Piatkiewicz and senior analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs Mateusz M. Piotrowski.

The problem of disposable electronic cigarettes, also known as vapes, is the subject of a blog by Zuzana Augustová. In it, the author describes the negative health effects, noting the easily addictive nature, especially for young people. She also looks at the environmental impact of these products, as they are made up of materials that cannot be easily recycled, and throwing them in the garbage can cause fires and leaks of harmful substances. It then uses the example of the UK to show how the government is attempting to tackle the problem through legislation, including a planned ban on their sale.

On December 11th, the Brussels Office organised Geopolitics First: Perspectives of CEE on the EU's Global Challenges in the Next Political Cycle. The aim of this expert discussion was to broaden the perspective of the Central European region on key geopolitical challenges, such as the foreign policy influence of Russia and China.

As the Czech Republic celebrated 25 years of NATO membership, this paper examined the country’s journey within the Alliance—its achievements, challenges, and growing responsibilities in collective security. From its early integration to its evolving strategic role, the Czech Republic contributed to NATO’s missions, strengthened transatlantic ties, and adapted to new security threats. Part of the project “Celebrating 25 Years of Czech Republic’s NATO Accession,” this analysis reflected on key milestones, policy developments, and the broader significance of NATO membership for the nation’s defense, diplomacy, and global engagement.

Namibia has the largest gender gap in Africa. This blog analyses the European Union's development policy focusing on the gender dimension. Critics argue that the European Union's focus on gender equality in development policy is superficial; the blog also examines whether this criticism remains valid. Simona Krammerová in her blog also highlights key issues facing women in Namibia.

The blog focuses on the impact of internal combustion engines on transport emissions and the transition to electromobility as a key measure to reduce emissions. The transport sector is the second largest CO2 emitter in the EU, with passenger cars accounting for 60% of emissions. The European Union has decided to end the sale of new vehicles with internal combustion engines by 2035 and is promoting the switch to electromobility as a means to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. In the blog, Zuzana Valachová, an intern at EUROPEUM's Prague office, discusses the benefits and challenges of the plan, including its environmental, economic and social impacts, as well as the reactions of the automotive industry and concerns about competitiveness.

The European security environment has changed fundamentally over the past decade in response to growing geopolitical risks. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the growing influence of authoritarian powers such as China and Russia, and escalating tensions in key regions such as the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific are reshaping the way Europe views its security and defence. These challenges are leading to a deepening of defence cooperation within and outside the EU, which includes the development of new policies, structures and initiatives, and cooperation with NATO also underlines the need for strategic alignment between European and transatlantic partners. Written by EUROPEUM Institute researcher Zuzana Krulichová and research associate fellow Tereza Novotná.