Europeum

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.

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.

Seznam Zprávy | "It's cynical." Why ANO party turned the tables in the migration pact debate

February 27, 2024

In light of the debates on the migration pact, which represents the next step in solving the migration issue, the Czech political scene is once again focusing on this topic. However, Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the head of the opposition ANO party Andrej Babiš criticize the agreement, despite their previous positions. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, spoke in the 5:59 podcast about the change in their opinions, the possible reasons that led to it, as well as the content of the pact itself.

ČRo Plus | Another sanctions package against Russia

February 20, 2024

The foreign ministries of Germany, France, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands have summoned Russian ambassadors over the death of opposition activist Alexei Navalnyj. Germany has proposed an approval of another sanctions package against Russia, while the last proposed package has not yet been approved. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, analysed how effective the sanctions are and whether Western countries should continue to push them.

RTVS | Ursula von der Leyen wants to be the President of the European Commission again

February 19, 2024

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will run again for this mandate. The current President's chances are quite good, but the nomination still needs to be approved by the European People's Party. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM, discussed this and other possible candidates who could replace Ursula von der Leyen, live on RTVS.

MF DNES | Czech Republic abstained in the vote on the migration pact

February 13, 2024

The Czech Republic abstained in the vote on the EU migration pact, despite having promoted it so far and participated in its preparation. In addition to criticism of the bureaucratic burden, it may also be a strategic move ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections. Our deputy director Viktor Daněk commented on the Czech Republic's position for the MF Dnes daily.

CNN Prima News | Orban backs down, EU to help Ukraine

February 02, 2024

To the surprise of many experts, Orbán decided not to prolong and complicate the negotiations at the EU summit, which in record time reached a unanimous decision on another aid package for Ukraine. Our senior research fellow Vít Havelka spoke about the situation on air.