Europeum

Hospodářské noviny | To finally have influence in Brussels. The government is pushing the maximum number of Czechs into the new European Commission

September 30, 2024

According to Politico, two thousand people have sent their CVs to the future head of the EU's common foreign policy, Kaja Kallas. This way they are applying for a place in her cabinet, i.e. in the team of her closest collaborators. Including assistants, there are usually up to 20 people in the cabinets of individual commissioners. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, and Filip Křenek, EUROPEUM analyst, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

Seznam Zprávy | Síkela's portfolio is a loss for the Czech Republic, says analyst

September 17, 2024

Instead of trade or energy, the current Minister of Industry and Trade, Jozef Síkela, will eventually be put in charge of International Partnerships in the European Commission. According to the opposition, this is a failure of the domestic government, but the Prime Minister and other leaders of the five-coalition praise Síkela's portfolio. So how did the distribution of the seats of the European Commissioners work out for the Czech Republic? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for podcast 5:59 of Seznam Zprávy.

ČRo Plus | Czech Republic will send only one candidate to the European Commission

July 25, 2024

European 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.

STVR | The first plenary session of the European Parliament in its new composition

July 17, 2024

The first session of the European Parliament after the elections is beginning. MEPs will elect the presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission. How does the plenary session proceed? And what will be crucial during it? Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of the Brussels office at EUROPEUM Institute, responds for Slovak STVR.

Blesk.cz | What is happening to the EU?

July 02, 2024

The political helm of Europe is taking a new direction. And according to political analysts, not a favourable one. The results of the elections in France showed this, with the far right winning 37 seats and the left-wing coalition 32. What is more, since the weekend it has been known that a new faction is to be created in the European Parliament - one that is more focused on national interests. One of the three founders is the head of Czech ANO movement, Andrej Babiš. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of the Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for Blesk.cz.

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.

The Parliament Magazine | From military support to EU membership: What the new European Parliament means for Ukraine

June 19, 2024

The results of the European elections are favorable for Ukraine; the center-right European People's Party (EPP) won the most seats, thereby strengthening the position of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a strong supporter of Ukraine. On the other hand, while some groups to the right of the EPP also had successes, their support for Ukraine is mixed. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office of EUROPEUM Institute, commented the situation for The Parliament magazine.

ČRo Plus | Internal coalition battles for the Czech Commissioner

June 11, 2024

Who 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.

ČT24 | Czechs voted for the European Parliament. How was the campaign?

June 09, 2024

For the fifth time Czech voters choose their representatives to the European Parliament. Almost 700 candidates competed for 21 seats. What did they offer and what was the campaign like? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, comments for Czech Television's investigative programme 168 hodin.

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.