Europeum

ČRo Plus | Czech Republic will send only one candidate to the European Commission

July 25, 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has asked Member States to submit two names instead of one in their nominations for European Commissioners. Her aim is to have a balanced proportion of men and women in the new Commission. But as the request for two candidates is not supported by the treaties, if the Czech Republic offers only Jozef Sikel, there will be no direct consequences, though it may affect the distribution of the portfolios that lays in von der Leyen's hands. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČRo Plus.

ČT24 | The Czech candidate for European Commissioner is Jozef Síkela

July 24, 2024

Jozef Síkela has been nominated by the Czech government for the position of European Commissioner. What was crucial for the decision? And why was Danuše Nerudová not nominated, even though Ursula von der Leyen requires both a female and male candidate? What is the timeline now? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, answers these and other questions for ČT24.

CNN Prima News | Who will be the next Czech EU Commissioner?

July 24, 2024

Is Jozef Síkela still the favorite for the post of the Czech EU Commissioner? Which portfolio would be most desirable for the Czech Republic? How likely is it that a defense commissioner position will be created? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for CNN Prima News.

ČTK | Commission President is assembling her team of commissioners, but so far has few candidates

July 19, 2024

After being approved by the European Parliament, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is starting to assemble her team of commissioners. Some countries have already submitted their candidates, but many are still pending, including the Czech Republic. In Czechia, discussions about potential candidates are ongoing, with additional names being proposed alongside those suggested by the STAN political party. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation for Czech News Agency.

ČRo | The European Commission boycotts the Hungarian presidency due to Orban's unexpected visit to Russia

July 16, 2024

The European Commission has announced that, in light of developments since the beginning of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, it plans to boycott informal ministerial meetings and send only senior officials instead of commissioners. Viktor Orbán has come under criticism for his recent trip to Russia, which he described as a peace mission aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and which he did not consult with the leaders of other EU states. This move comments Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute for Czech Radio.

Český rozhlas | Who will be the next Czech commissioner?

June 18, 2024

The Mayor's party, who have the right to nominate a European Commissioner under the Czech coalition agreement, have announced that they will nominate both Danuše Nerudová and Jozef Sikela for the position of the next Czech European Commissioner. The government is due to decide on a candidate by the end of August. Can the Czech Republic get a highly sought-after economic portfolio? What are the advantages for the country if it gets it? And how difficult is the process of questioning candidates in the European Parliament, the so-called grilling? Klára Votavová, researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, answered these and other questions in an interview for Czech Radio.

Czech Radio | Series: Following the Czech footsteps in the EU

June 07, 2024

Performances of previous Czech presidents, the contribution of the Czech EU Commissioner Věra Jourová, roaming and reverse charge and the assessment of the Czech Republic as the country of EU Presidency. The topics of the Czech Radio series on Czech footsteps in the European Union were commented by Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.

ČRo Plus | Internal coalition battles for the Czech Commissioner

June 11, 2024

Who will take a seat in the European Commission for the Czech Republic? What portfolio should he/she focus on? And which government party has the right to nominate a new Commissioner? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the topic for Czech Radio Plus.

Respekt | The European elections are over. Czechia is awaiting the nomination of a European Commissioner

June 10, 2024

Who will become the new Commissioner for the Czech Republic? And what topics should we focus on? According to the Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk, it is necessary to abandon the idea of a strong economic portfolio in the next European Commission. Instead, we should focus on gaining influence and respect through other areas, he commented for the weekly Respekt.

Deník N | Leaders of parliamentary parties debated about candidates for the European Commission

June 07, 2024

On Czech Television, the leaders of all parliamentary parties clashed in a debate full of crucial topics ahead of the European elections. In the end, the discussion focused on key European issues, such as the portfolio of the Czech Republic in the European Commission. The debaters also presented their favorites for candidates to the European Commission. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Deník N.