The project (Re)uniting the East and West: Reflections on the 2004 EU enlargement (REWEU) is focused on the commemoration of the 2004 “big bang” EU enlargement at the occasion of its 20th anniversary in May 2024. This event had numerous positive effects on shaping Europe as we know it today, boosting its security, economic potential, and spreading democracy, good governance and European values across the European continent.
Show moreThis year's summer school of the Center for an Informed Society is over! In Horka nad Moravou, it offered students a unique opportunity to meet and discuss current issues of security and European politics. The event was held in cooperation with the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Eurocentrum Olomouc and EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy.
Show moreDisappointment 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.
Show moreWith another heatwave expected this week following record temperatures in July, cities in Central Europe are belatedly taking action – but politics keeps getting in the way. Katarina Svitkova, an Associate Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute specializing on climate change, urbanism and sustainability, comments for Balkan Insight.
Show moreA poll for Czech Television shows that only 17 percent of Czechs are content with their political representation. Public discontent has intensified due to recent austerity measures intended to address the public deficit, with significant concerns over inflation, increasing living costs, energy price policies, and the government's poor communication. Klára Votavová, an Associate Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, spoke to Czech Radio about the roots of this distrust and how Fiala's government plans to respond ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections.
Show moreZ průzkumu pro Českou televizi vyplývá, že pouze 17 % Čechů je spokojeno se svou politickou reprezentací. Nespokojenost zesílila zejména po nedávných úsporných opatření, která měla řešit státní deficit, nepomáhá pak ani inflace, zvyšující se životní náklady, cenová politika v oblasti energií či špatná komunikace vlády. Klára Votavová, výzkumná spolupracovnice Institutu EUROPEUM, pro Český rozhlas rozebrala původ této nedůvěry a jak na ni chce reagovat Fialova vláda před parlamentními volbami v roce 2025.
Show moreMEPs from the Patriots for Europe, including representatives of the ANO movement, face isolation in the European Parliament. They are unlikely to secure key positions, significantly limiting their influence on the legislative process. Other political groups are attempting to isolate far-right parties through a so-called cordon sanitaire, a measure already felt by Klára Dostálová, who was not elected Vice-President of the EP. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation for Novinky.cz.
Show moreAccording to the Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute Martin Vokálek European topics will be more frequently discussed in the public sphere. The reason for this are the newly elected MEPs, who met for the first time this week at a plenary session in Strasbourg. Their ranks include not only "traditional" politicians but also prominent figures with unconventional approaches. What challenges and changes can we expect from the new European Parliament? Listen to the Czech Radio podcast Bruselské chlebíčky.
Show moreMEPs from 14 right-leaning parties have joined the political group Patriots for Europe in the European Parliament. From the Czech Republic, they were joined by MEPs from the ANO movement and two MEPs from the Přísaha a Motoristé party. They could become the third strongest political group in the European Parliament. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this.
Show moreFormer Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has announced the formation of a new alliance Patriots for Europe for the European Parliament. For the time being, in addition to the ANO movement, it consists of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz and Herbert Kickl's Austrian FPÖ party. Martin Vokálek, executive director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments on its formation and importance.
Show more