Ursula von der Leyen has asked EU Member States to send her two names of candidates for the post of Commissioner in the European Commission, one man and one woman, so that she can create a balanced team. The Czech Republic ignored this request and proposed only Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela for the post of EU Commissioner. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Český rozhlas Plus.
Show moreEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has asked Member States to submit two names instead of one in their nominations for European Commissioners. Her aim is to have a balanced proportion of men and women in the new Commission. But as the request for two candidates is not supported by the treaties, if the Czech Republic offers only Jozef Sikel, there will be no direct consequences, though it may affect the distribution of the portfolios that lays in von der Leyen's hands. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČRo Plus.
Show moreRussian oil from Lukoil still isn’t flowing through Ukraine to Slovakia and Hungary. In June, Ukraine unilaterally decided to ban the transit of Lukoil oil through its territory, as the company was added to its sanctions list. Slovakia and Hungary have turned to the European Commission for help in resolving the issue. What can the EU do about this situation? What role does the Association Agreement with Ukraine play in resolving this dispute? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation.
Show moreThere are relatively few comments from European leaders on Joe Biden's withdrawal from the U.S. presidential campaign, and those that do appear are rather restrained. How significant is Joe Biden's withdrawal for European leaders? Should the European Union prepare for what will happen after the U.S. elections? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, answered for ČRo Plus.
Show moreThe King of the Netherlands inaugurated the new government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof. A former intelligence chief and non-partisan, replaced Mark Rutte, who had been Prime Minister of the Netherlands for 14 years and now faces a high-profile career in NATO. The new governing coalition consists of four parties, including the far right. What can be expected from the new Dutch government at European level? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation for ČRo Plus.
Show moreHungary took over the EU presidency today, giving Budapest, perceived as a troublemaker in the European institutions, a different role for six months. At the same time, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced over the weekend the formation of a new alliance in the European Parliament with the Czech ANO movement and the Freedom Party of Austria. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the formation of the new alliance.
Show moreThe ANO political movement will withdraw from the liberal Renew Europe faction in the European Parliament, as it says it cannot promote the programme it went into the European elections with. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this.
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 moreWho will take a seat in the European Commission for the Czech Republic? What portfolio should he/she focus on? And which government party has the right to nominate a new Commissioner? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the topic for Czech Radio Plus.
Show moreEU citizens elect a new European Parliament. How did the election results turn out in the Czech Republic and other European countries? And do the election results reflect the MEPs work in the last term? Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of EUROPEUM's Brussels office, commented for Czech Radio's special election coverage.
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