Europeum

Seznam Zprávy | Surprise from Brussels. Síkela got a different portfolio, but with a huge budget

September 17, 2024

Jozef Síkela will be in charge of the International Partnerships portfolio within the European Commission. This was announced by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Seznam Zprávy.

Hospodářské noviny | Síkela is supposed to look after the ambitious but criticized Global Gateway project for the EU. What awaits him?

September 19, 2024

The new composition of the European Commission and the distribution of portfolios caused puzzlement in Prague. The head of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, entrusted Jozef Síkela with the agenda of International Partnership and Global Gateway – a name that, apart from a handful of insiders in the Czech Republic, few people have heard of, instead of the long-talked about energy sector or international trade. EUROPEUM Institute analyst Zuzana Krulichová commented for Hospodářské noviny.

Rádio Prostor | What influence will Jozef Síkela have in the position of an EU Commissioner?

September 18, 2024

Thanks to his existing reputation in the European Commission, Jozef Síkela has a certain advantage over other upcoming Commissioners. Though it remains to be determined whether he will be able to use this advantage well. Filip Křenek, project coordinator and analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, told Prostor radio what impact the International Partnership portfolio can have on the Czech Republic and what competencies it actually contains.

Aktuálně.cz | A surprising portfolio "swap". The French could have played a role, says expert on Síkela

September 17, 2024

Despite previous speculation, the Czech candidate for the new European Commission and current Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela will be put in charge of the International Partnership portfolio by Ursula von der Leyen. The government sees this as a "mission accomplished", but the opposition as a failure. Experts are not sure whether this is a success for the Czech Republic. Why the Trade portfolio eventually went to Slovakia? Filip Křenek, project coordinator and analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Aktuálně.cz.

Seznam Zprávy | Síkela's portfolio is a loss for the Czech Republic, says analyst

September 17, 2024

Instead of trade or energy, the current Minister of Industry and Trade, Jozef Síkela, will eventually be put in charge of International Partnerships in the European Commission. According to the opposition, this is a failure of the domestic government, but the Prime Minister and other leaders of the five-coalition praise Síkela's portfolio. So how did the distribution of the seats of the European Commissioners work out for the Czech Republic? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for podcast 5:59 of Seznam Zprávy.

Česká justice | What will Síkela be responsible for in the Commission?

September 18, 2024

Disappointment with the negotiations and the weak position of the Czech Republic was voiced when the new composition of the European Commission was announced. The presentation of the post to the Czech nominee Jozef Síkela is accompanied by a debate on how influential the position of Commissioner for International Partnerships is. Experts say that although the government had bigger expectations, much can be achieved even with the portfolio at hand. The current Trade and Industry Minister could help the EU to be a counterweight to Russian and Chinese influence in emerging economies, and could also push for greater raw material security. For daily Česká justice commented Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.

Hospodářské noviny | What awaits Síkela if he gets a trade portfolio in the Commission?

September 13, 2024

Instead of the expected energy portfolio, the Czech nominee for European Commissioner Jozef Síkela could get foreign trade. He would have at his disposal the bureaucratic apparatus of the Directorate General for International Trade, numbering some 700 employees, which is above average by Brussels standards. What could the mandate of the next Trade Commissioner entail? And what obstacles will he have to deal with? Filip Křenek, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

Hospodářské noviny | Síkela will help defy China in Brussels. How important portfolio has he been given?

September 17, 2024

The Czech government wanted EU Commissioner nominee Jozef Síkela to be put in charge of the economic portfolio in the new European Commission. Síkela himself preferred energy, but instead he will end up in charge of the "international partnership and Global Gateway strategy" in Brussels, a less influential post than trade, which Prime Minister Fiala was pushing through. Filip Křenek, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny on the post Síkela has been given by Ursula von der Leyen.

Café Evropa | 20 years in the EU: what has membership given to and taken away from Czechia?

September 15, 2024

Come and discuss at the next Café Evropa debate series! This time we will visit City of Hranice. Are you interested in how the Green Deal will affect the city, how to draw EU subsidies for local projects, the impact of adopting the euro, security or other European topics?

ČT24 | Síkela to be EU Commissioner for Energy, says Die Welt

September 03, 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already decided on key positions in her new team. The energy portfolio should go to Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela, the Die Welt website reported citing its sources. Prime Minister Petr Fiala will not comment on the information, a government spokeswoman said. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČT24.