The Italian government, headed by Giorgia Meloni, is arguing with the courts over the transport of migrants detained in the Mediterranean Sea to Albania. Italy wants to process their asylum applications there. But a court in Rome ruled on Friday to return the first 12 refugees to the Apennine peninsula. It relied on an EU court ruling that has a Czech footprint. The Italian development complicates the efforts that the Czech government had hoped to make from the measure. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Novinky.cz.
Show moreRising inflation, stagnant wages and the housing crisis are fuelling discontent. Meanwhile, the deficit continues to grow without significant investment in long-term economic growth. Klára Votavová, an associate research fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation for Radio Prague International.
Show moreThis week, the Government will discuss in the third reading an amendment to the Emissions Trading Act, which also includes so-called household allowances. Under ETS2, these will charge for emissions from road transport and local heating - so they can help invest in infrastructure, renewable energy and support socially vulnerable groups. EUROPEUM Institute research fellow Rebeka Hengalová and others write.
Show moreLast year, Moldovan intelligence services detected Russian funding worth at least half a billion Czech crowns, which was used to stop the prosecution of illegal political activities, incitement to anti-government protests and corruption. EUROPEUM Institute non-resident associate research fellow Hugo Blewett-Mundy wrote a commentary for Seznam Zprávy.
Show moreMoldova is likely to insert a European identity and a pro-European course into the preamble of its Constitution, according to the preliminary results of yesterday's referendum. The Kremlin, which according to the Moldovan government supported the opponents of the referendum, has already questioned the vote. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, commented for ČRo Plus.
Show moreMoldovans voted in Sunday's referendum to constitutionally anchor EU accession as a goal for the country. After counting the votes cast, voters decided by a narrow majority to support the country's Western orientation. Current pro-EU President Maia Sandu, who won the most votes in the first round of the simultaneous presidential election, accused "criminal groups" of undermining the referendum. The second round of the head of state election will take place on 3rd November. Žiga Faktor, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute and head of Brussels office, commented for ČT24.
Show moreTogether with the Association for International Affairs and EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, the Centre for an Informed Society has prepared a series of Resilient Europe events from 8 to 10 October 2024. This was a forum aimed at strengthening strategic communication and countering disinformation. It aimed to share best practices from different countries and learn from their successes and mistakes in strengthening democratic principles, countering authoritarianism and populism, and uniting society against divisive influences.
Show moreThe European Commission opens a debate on aviation support in the coming years. The new rules should start to apply after 2027. In particular, the guidelines are intended to minimize negative effects on competition and aim to preserve connectivity. Project coordinator and analyst at EUROPEUM Institute Filip Křenek commented for Ekonomický deník.
Show moreThe story of the assignment of the international partnership agenda to Czech EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela, which ended in disappointment for many, teaches one lesson that will be hard to digest in government circles: the Czech Republic still does not know how to play high Brussels politics and it will not get better. Deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented for deník Právo.
Show more PNGThe new rules on asylum and migration agreed upon by EU member states this year are, according to ANO movement leader Andrej Babiš, "a huge betrayal prepared by the government of Petr Fiala". Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny.
Show more