Europeum

Policy paper | Czechia and NATO: Building a more capable, connected and credible European pillar

July 17, 2024

CEE allies are key to building the capabilities-based, European Pillar NATO needs to enact genuine burden shifting and secure the alliance’s future. Dr Benjamin Tallis shows how Czechia can build on recent progress in defense procurement and increase its influence by prioritising the six elements Euro-NATO needs: core national war-fighting capabilities, logistics, military mobility, strategic enablers, air defence and long-range strategic strike.

Policy paper | Managing imperial decline: a new EU policy towards Russia

July 16, 2024

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has shattered the post-Cold War international order built upon East-West interdependence and cooperation. The European Union (EU) - which had tried to pursue a strategic relationship with Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 - must now adapt to the geopolitical reality of Russian neo-revisionism. Hugo Blewett-Mundy, an Associate Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, identifies four areas where the EU's policy towards Russia could evolve to confront this emerging security situation in Europe.

Policy Brief | Prospects for changes in the composition of the European institutions after the 2024 elections

February 22, 2024

This policy brief analyses the prospective changes in the European Parliament (EP) composition following the 2024 elections. It reflects on the evolving political environment since 2019, highlighting shifts in party dynamics within the EP, such as the fragmentation of traditional party dominance and the emergence of new political alignments. Additionally, it explores potential reconfigurations in top EU positions post-elections and examines ongoing concerns regarding geographical representation within EU institutions, particularly the European Commission. Writes Tomasz Zając from the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM).

Policy Brief | Vyhlídky na změny ve složení evropských institucí po volbách v roce 2024

February 22, 2024

Publikace analyzuje možné změny ve složení Evropského parlamentu po volbách v roce 2024, zamýšlí se nad vývojem politického prostředí od roku 2019 a poukazuje na posuny ve stranické dynamice, jako je roztříštění tradiční stranické dominance a vznik nových politických uskupení. Kromě toho zkoumá možné změny v obsazení vrcholných pozic v EU po volbách a zabývá se přetrvávajícími obavami ohledně geografického zastoupení v institucích EU, zejména v Evropské komisi. Píše Tomasz Zając z Polského institutu mezinárodních vztahů (PISM).

Policy Brief | Preparing for EU35+: The View from Central Europe

July 08, 2024

Despite the historical support of EU enlargement policy by the Visegrad Four (V4), these Central European states are now faced with the challenge of reconciling their stances with the new realities of the process. As Ukraine and Moldova opened their accession negotiations, the EU seems to be torn on the questions associated with the future enlargement(s) - institutional reforms and changes within the EU budget. Transitioning from economic beneficiaries to potential contributors, the V4 states must evaluate the potential political and economic impacts of new members on both the EU and their domestic levels. Writes and proposes recommendations Vladislava Gubalova from GLOBSEC.

ČT24 | Who will get the top jobs in the European Union?

June 29, 2024

EU leaders nominate Ursula von der Leyen to lead the European Commission again. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, known for her support for Ukraine, is to lead EU's foreign policy. Both women have yet to be confirmed in top jobs by the European Parliament. In addition to the majority, support may also have to be sought from the conservatives or the Greens. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for ČT24.

RTVS | EU Enlargement: Initiation of Accession Negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova

June 25, 2024

The European Union has initiated accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. What does this mean for its inhabitants? How do the accession talks proceed? And what must the countries fulfill? Jana Juzová, a senior researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, comments for Slovak RTVS Television.

Policy Brief | Were Czech industrial policy interests reflected in EU 2024-2029 strategic agenda discussions?

June 27, 2024

In light of the recent return of industrial policy to the global and EU stage, this policy brief outlines how Czech interests in this policy were reflected in the debates leading up to the adoption of 2024-2029 EU strategic agenda. First, it strives to define Czech industrial policy interests, outlining two alternative approaches to how they can be perceived. The liberal approach follows the long established consensus, according to which Czechia – as a very open, export oriented economy – should promote above all a seamless Single Market and free trade. Writes EUROPEUM Institute researcher Klára Votavová in her Policy Brief.

Český rozhlas | Who will be the next Czech commissioner?

June 18, 2024

The Mayor's party, who have the right to nominate a European Commissioner under the Czech coalition agreement, have announced that they will nominate both Danuše Nerudová and Jozef Sikela for the position of the next Czech European Commissioner. The government is due to decide on a candidate by the end of August. Can the Czech Republic get a highly sought-after economic portfolio? What are the advantages for the country if it gets it? And how difficult is the process of questioning candidates in the European Parliament, the so-called grilling? Klára Votavová, researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, answered these and other questions in an interview for Czech Radio.

Respekt | The European elections are over. Czechia is awaiting the nomination of a European Commissioner

June 10, 2024

Who will become the new Commissioner for the Czech Republic? And what topics should we focus on? According to the Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk, it is necessary to abandon the idea of a strong economic portfolio in the next European Commission. Instead, we should focus on gaining influence and respect through other areas, he commented for the weekly Respekt.