Europeum

MF DNES | Cooldown in relations between the Czech Republic and Slovakia

March 11, 2024

The Czech government has suspended intergovernmental consultations with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's cabinet over differing views on the war conflict in Ukraine. Our project manager Kristína Chlebáková commented on the move for MF DNES.

Respekt | Is the veto fulfilling its function in EU or has it become a tool for blackmail?

March 11, 2024

Although Viktor Orbán didn't make good on his threat to veto the EU aid proposal for Ukraine, his actions have opened a debate on the need for a veto in the EU. Does it still make sense or has it become a blackmail tool? Even now, the veto isn't the only way to block a proposal. In addition to it, unanimity may be threatened by the so-called blocking minority, in which a group of at least four states representing at least 35% of the EU population can prevent a proposal from being presented. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the Czech Republic's position in the EU and the possible reform of the approval mechanisms for the weekly Respekt.

Euractiv | Strengthening ammunition production through the new European Defence Industrial Strategy

March 07, 2024

The new European Defence Industrial Strategy primarily responds to the Ukrainian need for ammunition supplies due to Russian invasion. It includes measures such as support for collective procurement of defense systems, focus on the involvement of European firms in public tenders, support for national budgets in transitioning to new weapon systems, and the development of stronger ties with Ukraine and NATO. Zuzana Krulichová, a researcher specializing in European defense policy at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the funding of the new strategy for Euractiv.

Hospodářské noviny | Do critics of the migration pact have a better solution?

March 01, 2024

Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the current government's and opposition leader Andrej Babiš's stance on the migration pact for the newsletter Ředitelé Evropy of Hospodářské noviny.

ČRo Plus | Czech government opposition reaction to EU migration pact

February 29, 2024

The EU Migration Pact has long been the subject of heated debate between the Czech government and the opposition. From the latter there are opinions that it is a monstrous agreement masking refugee quotas or fears that illegal migration will destroy the Czech Republic. But the government says it is a step in the right direction, despite the Czech Republic's abstention in the vote on the pact. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the change of their position for ČRo Plus.

ČRo Plus | Why Martina Dlabajová was not appointed as EU's small and medium-sized enterprises Envoy

February 28, 2024

Czech MEP Martina Dlabajová had applied for the post of EU's small and medium-sized enterprises Envoy last fall, but at the end of January Markus Pieper was appointed to this role. He is Ursula von der Leyen's running mate, who came third in the open competition behind the winning Dlabajová. The anti-corruption organisation Transparency International, among others, has called for an investigation into the selection procedure. Viktor Daněk, the deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this for Czech Radio.

RTVS | Summit of V4 Prime Ministers in Prague

February 28, 2024

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met separately ahead of the Visegrad Group summit in Prague, where the main points of discussion were the war in Ukraine and energy security. Vít Havelka, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the position of the Hungarian or Slovak Prime Minister and the overall direction of the Visegrad Group for Slovakian television RTVS.

ČRo Plus | Vít Havelka comments on STEM survey on European integration

February 26, 2024

How much people in the Czech Republic trust the European Union and what does this tell us about the mood in society? Why is economic prosperity and security so important to the Czechs? Vít Havelka comments on the STEM sociological survey for Czech Radio Plus.

ČRo Plus | Czech Republic would embarrass itself by withdrawing from the Green Deal

February 22, 2024

The Green Deal, a strategy towards greener technologies and climate protection, has recently been a major topic of discussion on the European scene. The Green Deal is also fiercely debated in the Czech Republic, with many farmers calling for its withdrawal in the streets in recent days. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the farmers' protests and their demands for Czech Radio Plus.

ČTK | Czech president is perceived very positively in the European Union, says analyst

January 21, 2024

In a short time, President Petr Pavel has become a respected politician at the international level and is perceived very positively in the European Union. Žiga Faktor, head of the Brussels office of the EUROPEUM Institute, said this in an interview with ČTK. He said Pavel has a clear pro-Western and pro-European outlook.