Europeum

ČRo | The European Commission boycotts the Hungarian presidency due to Orban's unexpected visit to Russia

July 16, 2024

The European Commission has announced that, in light of developments since the beginning of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, it plans to boycott informal ministerial meetings and send only senior officials instead of commissioners. Viktor Orbán has come under criticism for his recent trip to Russia, which he described as a peace mission aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and which he did not consult with the leaders of other EU states. This move comments Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute for Czech Radio.

TA3 | Questions about the Hungarian Presidency

July 03, 2024

Make Europe Great Again is the motto of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Hungary has set seven priorities, including fighting illegal migration and strengthening European defense. But the next six months raise many questions about the direction the Union will take under Budapest's leadership and what it will mean for Ukraine. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of the Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute, explains the situation for Slovak TV TA3.

RTVS | Expansion of the Patriots for Europe political group

July 02, 2024

Hungary takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from Belgium. However, a new European platform, which was founded in Vienna on Sunday, is more widely discussed on the Hungarian political and media scene. According to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, many will be surprised at how quickly it will grow. Vít Havelka, senior research fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, comments for RTVS on the formation of the European political alliance and its expansion.

RTVS | Hungary takes over the Presidency of the EU

July 01, 2024

From this day Hungary holds the Presidency of the EU. It takes over the Presidency from Belgium and will set the European agenda until the end of the year. The Hungarian Presidency says it wants to find real solutions to real problems. But some analysts fear that important issues, including support for Ukraine, could take a back seat. Martin Vokálek, executive director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for RTVS.

BLOG | The Use of Article 7 as a Protection Tool for the Rule of Law and European Values

April 19, 2024

With Hungary taking over the EU presidency in July 2024, many are questioning the EU's ability to promote its values in its member states. Indeed, the EU is about to hand over its presidency to a state that has been criticised for its actions that threaten the rule of law and is subject to the procedure set out in Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), writes Maxime Painot in his blog.

TV Nova | Is democracy in Europe at risk?

January 17, 2024

"Democracy in the West is under threat and Europe must prepare for an existence without the United States of America," the Belgian prime minister told MEPs. He was referring to the possible return of Donald Trump to the White House. Is democracy in Europe really under threat? Our executive director Martin Vokálek commented on the topic in an interview with TN Nova.

E15 | Europe is terrified of Orbán at the head of EU institutions. It must speed up the selection of a new "EU president"

January 13, 2024

The first media storm around the European Parliament elections was unleashed by the head of the European Council, Charles Michel, when he unexpectedly announced last weekend that he was going to run for the European Parliament himself in June and, if successful, would resign early from his current post. However, this means that unless the EU27 quickly agrees on his successor, the powers of the "European president" will pass to EU troublemaker Viktor Orban, whose Hungary will hold the EU presidency from the summer. Our head of the Brussels office, Žiga Faktor, commented for E15 on the likelihood of this happening and what it would mean for the functioning of the EU.

Právo | President of the European Council pleases Orbán

January 09, 2024

Charles Michel announces that he will not stay on as President of the European Council until the end of his mandate and will run for a seat in the European Parliament in June. Such a move could make Viktor Orbán, as head of the presidency, the EU's top representative for a time. You can read about, what will happen if the Union does not find Michel's successor in time, in a commentary by our deputy director Viktor Daňek.

Deník N | EU leader's move could hand power to Orbán. What will happen if a successor is not elected in time?

January 09, 2024

Could the newly announced candidacy of European Council President Charles Michel for the European Parliament play into the hands of Orbán and the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council? Our deputy director Viktor Daněk provided his expert commentary for Deník N.

ČRo Plus | Belgian Presidency

January 05, 2024

Belgium takes over the EU Presidency from the Spanish. What challenges does Belgium face in this role and how does it plan to achieve its objectives? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, explains.