Europeum

Aktuálně.cz | Von der Leyen is almost certain to secure a second nomination, but she may face challenges in the European Parliament

May 28, 2024

The campaigns for the European Parliament elections are not only relevant to Czech politicians but also to those from other countries. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, spoke with Aktuálně.cz about the chances of the current President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. How did she perform in the previous electoral term? And what points should she focus on in her campaign?

TN.cz | Up to a third of Czech voters do not know the EU Commissioner Věra Jourová

May 24, 2024

Czech Commissioner Věra Jourová has been Vice-President of the European Commission for the past five years, as well as Commissioner for Values and Transparency. EUROPEUM Institute has assessed her tenure and popularity in the Czech Republic in cooperation with STEM. The results of the survey were presented to TN.cz by EUROPEUM analyst Vít Havelka.

ČT24 | Representatives of two factions absent from the Spitzenkandidaten debate

May 24, 2024

Five candidates for the post of President of the European Commission faced each other in the Spitzenkandidaten debate. Two factions did not send a representative at all. Moreover, these are the very factions that could be significantly stronger in the European elections than in the previous period. Missing were representatives of the far-right Identity and Democracy group, of which the SPD is a member for the Czech Republic, as well as the European Conservatives and Reformists, on which the Czech ODS sits. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČT24 about whether they were significantly absent from the debate.

RTVS | Does von der Leyen have a clear opponent after the Spitzenkandidaten debate?

May 23, 2024

Five candidates for the post of European Commission chief clashed in a Europe-wide debate on Thursday. Two factions did not field a candidate. The system of spitzenkandidaten, i.e. the leading candidates of each group for the post of president of the European executive, was created as an effort by MEPs to increase transparency in the filling of the highest posts in the European Union, which clearly includes the president of the Commission. Who will be the one who will form the majority after the elections and does the current head of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, have a significant opponent among the other spitzenkandidaten? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, analysed the debate for RTVS.

TN.cz | Candidates' debate for the post of European Commission chief

May 23, 2024

With less than two weeks to go until the European Parliament elections, voters can choose their representatives with the help of a Europe-wide debate of candidates for the post of the future President or President of the European Commission. Five candidates, including the current head of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who is seeking her second mandate this year, met in the debate on Thursday. Topics discussed included defence and security, the environment and the importance of democracy. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, spoke to TN.cz about the importance of the debate for Czech voters and the outcomes of the individual candidates.

TV Nova | Analysis of Czech MEPs. What influence do they have on European issues?

May 22, 2024

EUROPEUM Institute examined the influence of MEPs on addressing european issues in the Czech Republic, and their activity in Brussels. How did Czech candidates fare? What will be the most important topics for the upcoming five-year term of the European Parliament? Researchers Vít Havelka and Rebeka Hengalová from Institute EUROPEUM discussed the ranking of the most active MEPs for the main broadcast TV Nova.

BLOG | Unforeseen Dilemmas: The EU-Tunisia Migration Deal in Light of Human Rights Concerns. Was it a mistake?

May 16, 2024

Tunisia has become the main exit point for asylum seekers and refugees, especially those from sub-Saharan Africa. The EU, faced with a surge in arrivals to Lampedusa, has bolstered its cooperation with Tunisia, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with President Kais Saied. However, questions arise over the EU's handling of human rights abuses in Tunisia, reminiscent of past agreements with Turkey. Nargiz Mustafazade, a trainee in the Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute, writes about this topic in her blog.

168 hodin | EU yes, euro no

May 05, 2024

Czech public is afraid of the European currency and politicians listen to their voters. Businesses are calling for the euro the most. Czech crown is disadvantageous for businesses, they lose millions every year due to the constant conversion between the currencies and expensive loans in crowns. But now they have a strong ally. Czech president Petr Pavel has called for accepting euro, as we once pledged to do, on the anniversary of the Czech accession to the EU. But will it be enough? What is the mood in society? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation for Czech TV's investigative programme 168 hodin.

Televizní noviny | Do the EU elections have the potential to change the support of Ukraine?

May 02, 2024

There have been opinions that call for changes of the EU including defense cooperation or foreign policy. The topic that should stay important even after the EU elections is the support of Ukraine. Do the EU elections have the potential to change the intensity of the EU's support of Ukraine? Vít Havelka, a senior researcher at EUROPEUM Institute answered for the main evening broadcast of TV Nova.

RTVS | Proposal for the position of Commissioner for Defense

May 02, 2024

The current President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposes the creation of a new position: Commissioner for Defense in the future Commission. Is this proposal feasible? When could this position be established? And who would fill it? How would enhanced EU defense operate alongside NATO was addressed by Vít Havelka, Senior Researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, in a commentary for the Slovak television RTVS.