In the Media

The head of our Brussels office, Žiga Faktor, provided a commentary to the news portal iDnes.cz on the topic "One-day vignette from 2024. The price will be determined by the increased annual vignette". Since 2017, a proposal for a mandatory toll system in the EU has been in the works, so that trucks would pay only according to the number of kilometres driven. However, the changes also affect cars, specifically by introducing a one-day vignette. The price of the one-day vignette has not yet been set, but according to European regulations it must not exceed nine percent of the annual toll. The final price of the one-day vignette therefore depends on the annual motorway toll. Its implementation can be expected in 2024.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been going on for half a year. Despite constant fighting and pressure from Russia on Ukraine, the Russian Federation has failed to conquer Kiev. On the surface, it may appear that the war has stalled, but this is merely a deliberate tactic by Ukraine not to engage in major operations, but to wear down the Russian army. Western unity may be affected by new leadership in Italy and the UK, for example. However, the Czech Republic can play an important role, as it currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Our researcher Danielle Piatkiewicz also commented on the topic.

Our senior researcher Jana Juzová wrote an article for VISEGRAD/INSIGHT on "The Czech Republic and Slovakia in the lead". Since July, the Czech Republic has held the presidency of the EU Council and Slovakia the presidency of the Visegrad Four. Although the V4 is now in the shadow of Czech and Slovak foreign policy, this does not mean that it is less important or that it is falling apart. However, the V4 crisis triggered by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán may be an opportunity for the Czech Republic and Slovakia to determine the direction of the Visegrad Four.

Our Senior Research Fellow Jana Juzová commented on the current tensions between Serbia and Kosovo on RTVS Radiožurnál. The Serbian president urged NATO to take care of the Kosovo Serbs and threatened that Serbia would take matters into its own hands if NATO did not. Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo are also gaining momentum in the context of Serbia's efforts to enforce new border rules. Compromises between Serbia and Kosovo have only resulted in an agreement to extend the registration changes until early September. And how does this conflict contribute to Russia?

Our senior research fellow Kateřina Davidová commented for the weekly magazine Euro on the topic "Uncertain heating season opens the return of coal". In her commentary, she discusses Europe's energy self-sufficiency and, among other things, the current and future state of the Czech energy sector without coal.

The head of the Brussels office Žiga Faktor commented for EURACTIV. What are the chances of reforming the electoral system in Bosnia? How should parties work on it and what should it include? According to Žiga Faktor, it must not only reflect political proposals and ambitions, but it is necessary to think about what citizens themselves want and how the reform will affect them.

Our research fellow Michal Hrubý commented for the news server E15.cz on the German government's preparations for energy shortages during the coming winter. He also comments on Germany's temporary return to nuclear power.

Our researcher Michal Hrubý commented for the news portal iDnes.cz on the long-awaited Euro 7 emission standard. In his commentary, he mentions the circumstances of its negotiation and talks about its potential entry into force.

In a news report on Radio Zet, our researcher Michal Hrubý spoke about the shutdown of the Druzhba pipeline and the current situation with the payment of fees that have not been processed due to sanctions. The fees have been paid and supplies should resume in the coming days.

Our researcher Michal Hrubý spoke about the current state of the Czech automotive industry and the government's attitude towards its future reform for the Dutch daily Het Financieele Dagblad. Are we acting fast enough? And what position should we take now?

Our research fellow Michal Hrubý is the co-author of a blog dealing with a currently much discussed topic - electromobility. In this article, the authors ask a fundamental question. What cars are now worth producing in the Czech car industry so that we don't cry over the profits?

The return of coal as a source of electricity production is a direct consequence of the Russian aggression in Ukraine. The resumption of coal-fired power stations in Europe means an increase in harmful emissions, jeopardizing the EU's climate targets. EUROPEUM Institute researcher Kateřina Davidová spoke in detail about the energy crisis in Europe, the measures that Brussels is taking to prevent countries from turning to sources of electricity such as coal, and the compensatory measures taken by member states.