Europeum

RTVS | Elections show Europeans' new priorities

June 11, 2024

After 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.

RTVS | Political Groups in the European Parliament

June 05, 2024

The European People's Party (EPP) in the European elections may face competition from political groups such as the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID). After the elections, negotiations on the structure of the political groups and the future President of the European Commission will commence behind closed doors. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for Slovak radio RTVS.

IEMED | Serbia: The Dilemma between European Accession and Alliance with Russia

May 30, 2024

With Ukraine’s defence against Russia heading toward a stalemate in the second half of the year and increased pressure inside the EU to deliver on its promises to provide the country with needed financial and military support, Serbia’s ambiguous relationship with Russia and the West has been brought increasingly into the spotlight in 2023. The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), ruling since 2012, and President Aleksandar Vučić have been responsible for continued democratic backsliding and have failed to align with the Union’s foreign policy during Serbia’s lengthy EU accession process, pushing the situation closer towards a tipping point in Serbia-EU relations. Senior researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, Jana Juzová, describes this in more detail in her article for the European Institute of the Mediterranean.

ČRo Plus | Spanish and Irish recognition of an independent Palestinian state

May 09, 2024

Spain and Ireland are working closely together on a joint move towards the recognition of an independent Palestinian state. Recognition is expected to take place on 21 May. They see this move as an expression of support for a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this issue for Czech Radio.

Chyba systému | Symbolism during EU accession and our identity in the EU

May 03, 2024

This year, the Czech Republic celebrates 20 years since its accession to the European Union. Klára Votavová, a researcher from EUROPEUM Institute, points out in the political podcast "Chyba systému" by Czech Radio, that the accession wasn't as carefully considered as it might seem. And the idea of returning to Europe may have been overly optimistic. This is now reflected in the attitudes of Czechs towards the EU.

ČRo Plus | EU will regulate fast fashion platform Shein

April 27, 2024

Chinese clothing and accessories company Shein has been included by the European Commission among the large platforms regulated by the EU's Digital Services Regulation. The company now has four months to comply with the stricter rules. Rebeka Hengalová, a researcher at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Czech Radio Plus.

Novinky.cz | Migration Pact: Non-compliance could lead to fines

April 18, 2024

The Migration Pact consists of ten legislative proposals that passed the European Parliament last week. They still have to be voted on in the Council of Ministers. Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to lawsuits and heavy fines. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the Migration Pact for Novinky.cz.

ČT24 | The European Parliament approved new migration rules

April 12, 2024

The package consists of ten legislative proposals. Its support was by no means certain, with the fractions counting every vote. What demands does this comprehensive package place on the Member States? And does the package contain mandatory quotas, as the Czech opposition claims? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, commented on the approval process of the new legislative package for ČT24.

iRozhlas.cz | Pfizergate: Transparency or Privacy Protection?

April 04, 2024

Recent investigation into the purchase of Pfizer vaccines by the EU has revealed the involvement of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, raising questions about transparency and accountability. With the interconnection of several cases, including allegations of undisclosed agreements and legal actions, attention to negotiation processes and financial management within the Commission is increasing. The outcomes of these investigations may influence public trust and future leadership of the EU, highlighting the delicate balance between transparency and privacy protection. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute, offered a commentary for iRozhlas.cz.

168 hodin | Czech and Slovak relations at freezing point

March 25, 2024

Due to the pro-Russian positions of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the Czech cabinet suspended the intergovernmental consultations. Does this turn the former brothers into enemies? Nonetheless, this is not the first time that relations between these two nations, that used to share a common state once, have frozen. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the topic in an investigative piece for 168 hodin broadcast by Czech Television.