Europeum

ČT24 | Candidates for the European Parliament elections

April 02, 2024

Historically, there has been relatively low interest in elections to the European Parliament, and the same is likely to be true this year. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, this interest is the lowest compared to other European countries. The main reason for this is the long-neglected debate on the European Union in the Czech Republic. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the issue and European elections for ČT24.

ČRo Plus | European leaders meet on the EU strategic agenda

April 02, 2024

Petr Fiala will discuss the future direction of the European Union with other European leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania. At an informal working dinner the new strategic agenda is the main topic. The strategy is always defined in the context of the European Parliament elections and before the appointment of each European Commission. In an interview for ČRo Plus Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, spoke about both the Czech and EU priorities.

TV Nova | European elections: Defense, security and domestic issues dominate amongst Czech voters

March 26, 2024

According to surveys a record turnout of Czech voters is expected in this year's elections to the European Parliament. Compared to the elections in 2014, it could be almost double the number, and so far about 33 percent participation is expected. Defense and security will be key topics, as well as war in Ukraine. Domestic issues of individual countries will play an important role as well. The executive director of the EUROPEUM Institute, Martin Vokálek, spoke to TV Nova about possible changes in the composition of the Parliament.

iDnes.cz | New survey for the June European Parliament Elections

March 21, 2024

According to a new survey by the Ipsos agency for Euronews, ANO party has the highest support leading up to the June elections, followed by the SPOLU coalition, with Mayors and independents (STAN) holding third place. ANO party could potentially gain up to nine seats, while STAN also show increased support. On the other hand, the SPOLU coalition is not expected to achieve the anticipated level of support. The decision to participate in the elections as part of this coalition could benefit Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-ČSL), but it may harm TOP 09. Deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented on the survey for iDnes.cz.

Deník N | Will the rotation in NATO leadership involve the Czech Republic and Eastern Europe?

March 11, 2024

This year will see the expected renewal of top posts in NATO and, after the European Parliament elections, also in the European Union. These positions are traditionally filled by candidates from the wealthy countries of Western and Southern Europe, and to a lesser extent Northern Europe. The countries of Eastern and Central Europe have so far, even after years of membership, still been overlooked. Poland is the only country from the region to have been awarded one of the bloc’s senior positions in the past with Donald Tusk and Jerzy Buzek leading the European Council and European Parliament respectively. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, spoke about the selections of candidates for Deník N.

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.

RTVS | The Future of the Visegrad Group

February 29, 2024

Differences on key issues between the leaders of the Visegrad Four countries are now being widely discussed in the context of the ongoing summit in Prague. How the relations between the countries will develop, whether we are heading towards the disintegration of the V4 or whether this is an eternal partnership of reason, was analysed by Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office, for the RTVS podcast Z prvej ruky.

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.

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.

TN.cz | Head of the European Parliament in Prague. Prime minister Fiala discussed security and farmers' protests with EP President

February 15, 2024

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, visited the Czech Republic. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, analysed her visit for TN.cz. What does her series of visits to countries of the European Union mean and can it affect participation in the upcoming elections?