In France, final preparations for the July summer Olympic Games are underway, but according to surveys, less than half of the French believe the country can ensure a their smooth course. Confidence in current political leaders has also been undermined by the European elections, where the opposition scored a significant victory. The opposition far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen no longer wants to leave the EU; they want to influence it. However, they need allies for that. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office at EUROPEUM Institute, comments on this for Respekt magazine.
Show moreIn the autumn, regional council elections will be held. The existence of 14 regions in the Czech Republic, however, does not have a long tradition – they were only established in 2000, partly due to the anticipated entry into the European Union. This arrangement is now heavily criticized for their fragmentation, low and duplicative administrative capacities, and the associated negative impacts on the state budget. Klára Votavová, a researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, presents in her commentary on research on the capacities of the state and regions to draw from the Just Transition Fund, using the examples of the Karlovy Vary and Moravian-Silesian regions.
Show moreThe results of the European elections are favorable for Ukraine; the center-right European People's Party (EPP) won the most seats, thereby strengthening the position of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a strong supporter of Ukraine. On the other hand, while some groups to the right of the EPP also had successes, their support for Ukraine is mixed. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office of EUROPEUM Institute, commented the situation for The Parliament magazine.
Show moreNegotiations on the EU leadership positions will continue next week. On Thursday, leaders and presidents are due to make their final decision at a summit in Brussels. Vladimír Bartovic, President of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on whether Ursula von der Leyen will defend her post as President of the European Commission.
Show moreTwo weeks after the publication of the European Parliament election results, it is unclear whether Ursula von der Leyen will remain at the head of the European Commission and the EPP party, which is expected to vote for her confirmation by the European Parliament, is weakening. The Renew Europe party has also weakened, losing its MEP's from Czech ANO movement. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČT24.
Show moreThe ANO political movement will withdraw from the liberal Renew Europe faction in the European Parliament, as it says it cannot promote the programme it went into the European elections with. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this.
Show moreViktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny's newsletter Directors of Europe on the future of the Green Deal after the recent European Parliament elections.
Show moreAfter the European Parliament elections, the elected national political parties have to split into different factions. This process is ongoing, with question marks surrounding the ANO party. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for TV Nova.
Show moreAfter the European elections, institutions in Brussels are facing personnel changes. Who is likely to assume the most important positions, namely the the head of the European Council, the European Commission, and the European Parliament? Vít Havelka, senior researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this in the main evening broadcast on TV Nova.
Show moreOn Monday 17 June, the leaders of the European Union Member States headed to Brussels for their first joint meeting after the European Parliament elections. They discussed the distribution of key posts at the head of the EU institutions - the President of the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament. Filip Křenek, project coordinator and analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the likely distribution of forces for ČRo Plus.
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