After the June European elections, Slovakia will have its weakest representation in the largest political group of the European Parliament - the European People's Party - since joining the EU in 2004. The only MEP in the EPP faction will be Miriam Lexmann from the Christian Democratic Movement. For the Slovak News Agency commented Žiga Faktor, head of the Brussels office and deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute.
Show moreThe Italian League, led by Matteo Salvini, will join new European Parliament party announced by the ANO movement, along with Viktor Orbán's Fidesz and the Freedom Party of Austria. They have identified the sovereignty of countries, the fight against illegal migration and the revision of the Green Deal as priorities. The alliance, called Patriots for Europe, now intends to invite other parties, and the group must be made up of MEPs from at least seven countries. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for ČT24.
Show moreVisegrad sovereigntists. This is the name given by European circles to the upcoming new faction of the European Parliament, which is expected to include seven MEPs from the Czech ANO movement. The leader of the Czech opposition, Andrej Babiš, who led his MEPs out of the influential liberal Renew Europe, is working with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to establish the new group. Martin Vokálek, director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments on its formation.
Show moreThe European Union and Ukraine concluded a comprehensive security agreement in Brussels. This builds upon the EU's longstanding support for Ukraine. What did the politicians agree upon? What is new in the new treaty? Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for the Slovak RTVS.
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 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.
Show moreHow do the results of the European Parliament elections reflect the mood in society? Have predictions about the new composition of MEPs being predominantly right-wing been fulfilled? And what skills are essential for the success as a Member of the European Parliament? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments in an interview for TN.cz.
Show moreThe European elections ended with the success of far-right parties. Nevertheless, they will probably not have a decisive influence in the European Parliament and there will probably be no significant shift in the European agenda. What will the new MEPs do about the Green Deal or further support for Ukraine? Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of EUROPEUM's Brussels office, comments for the 5:59 podcast of Seznam Zprávy.
Show moreAfter the European Parliament elections, the two largest factions retained their positions. However, far right parties has made gains at the expense of the Liberals and Greens. It was significant in France, Germany, Austria and other Member States. Why more and more young people vote for them? Will the right-wing groups in the EP join forces? And how can they influence migration policy, support for Ukraine or the Green Deal? For RTVS programme Z prvej ruky comments Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of the EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office.
Show moreThe luxury Alpine hotel Bürgenstock on the shores of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland will host the largest peace conference on Ukraine to date this coming weekend. Leaders and diplomats from nearly 90 countries will be there to seek ways to end the worst armed conflict in Europe since the Second World War. The ambitious event has been accompanied by criticism over the non-participation of Russia, China and US President Joe Biden. Even so, experts say the summit could be an important first step towards peace. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of the Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute, describes the possibilities the conference will offer for e15 journal.
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