In the Media

Robert Fico has been Slovakia's Prime Minister again for a little over a year. As premier, he pursues autocratic ambitions and maintains close contacts with Russia. Is the country on the same path as Hungary? Project manager Kristína Chlebáková from the EUROPEUM Institute commented for the Hannoversche Allgemeine.

In Moldova, citizens have voted in a referendum to join the European Union as a constitutional goal. The results were close. Martin Vokálek, executive director of EUROPEUM Institute, discusses the issue live on TV Nova.

Moldova is likely to insert a European identity and a pro-European course into the preamble of its Constitution, according to the preliminary results of yesterday's referendum. The Kremlin, which according to the Moldovan government supported the opponents of the referendum, has already questioned the vote. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, commented for ČRo Plus.

Moldovans voted in Sunday's referendum to constitutionally anchor EU accession as a goal for the country. After counting the votes cast, voters decided by a narrow majority to support the country's Western orientation. Current pro-EU President Maia Sandu, who won the most votes in the first round of the simultaneous presidential election, accused "criminal groups" of undermining the referendum. The second round of the head of state election will take place on 3rd November. Žiga Faktor, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute and head of Brussels office, commented for ČT24.

Just two days after Italy sent the first refugees to its two migration centers built in Albania, a court in Rome ruled that they must return to Italy. It concluded that the migrants from Bangladesh and Egypt did not come from safe countries, as the migration authorities claim, and therefore did not meet the conditions for transfer to Albania. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČRo Plus.

The contrast between the old and the new is visible in the streets of Chișinău. Brutalist skyscrapers stand next to places like the Digital Park, a technological hub and symbol of the desire for the modern and innovative. This contrast is also deeply rooted in the political debate about Moldova's identity and future. EUROPEUM Institute analyst Jana Faktor Juzová commented for RTS Serbia.

The European Union seems to have turned the wheel in the area of migration in a direction that no one would have expected a few years ago. The issue has also dominated the European Council. Several Member State representatives agreed that we need to toughen up and come up with new solutions. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the main evening news broadcast on TV Nova.

At the summit in Brussels, the European Union heads of state and government agreed to speed up the return of failed asylum seekers back to their countries. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Radio Prostor.

Moldova is rushing to the EU, but how fast? Can it stumble? Sunday sees a referendum on enshrining EU membership in the constitution and the first round of presidential elections, in which the pro-EU Maia Sandu will again stake her mandate. There is a long way to go behind these elections. EUROPEUM analyst Jana Faktor Juzová commented for Courrier des Balkans.

The EU Summit started in Brussels this morning and one of its key points is to be further assistance for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky is in attendance and has presented a "victory plan" which includes strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities. A particularly heated discussion is expected around adjustments to EU migration and asylum policy. Shortly before the start of the summit, representatives of several countries, including the Czech Republic, were due to hold an emergency meeting to reconcile their positions in this area. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the current events on Czech Radio broadcast.

KLDR has closed all roads connecting the country with South Korea. It accuses it of escalating tensions and has officially designated it as an enemy state. South Korea, on the other hand, warns the KLDR against reckless steps that could lead to the end of its authoritarian regime. Tereza Novotná, associate fellow of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Slovakian Radio STVR.

North Korea is cutting off all contact with the South and dictator Kim Jong-un's sister is threatening a "terrible catastrophe". Pyongyang's policy is more aggressive than ever. One of the keys to understanding this historic shift lies in Russia. Researcher Tereza Novotná commented for die Welt.