elections

The European elections are about a month away. Czechs will vote for 21 of the 720 MEPs. This will be the first election since Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic or the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Turnout is expected to be higher than in the last elections five years ago, with right-wing and Eurosceptic parties strengthening. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, described the possible reasons for daily broadcast of Czech TV.

Polls opened in North Macedonia on Wednesday for the first round of the presidential elections. Seven candidates are running for the presidency in a country gripped by political tensions, disappointment with democratic reforms and aspirations to join the European Union. Jana Juzová, a senior researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, analysed the situation in an interview for ČT24.

The remaining two months until the European Parliament elections in June represent a crucial period for political debate and public discussion. What kind of issues will resonate across Europe? And can we expect a strengthening of nationalist parties? EUROPEUM Institute analyst Vít Havelka commented on the upcoming elections for TN.cz.

This year will see the expected renewal of top posts in NATO and, after the European Parliament elections, also in the European Union. These positions are traditionally filled by candidates from the wealthy countries of Western and Southern Europe, and to a lesser extent Northern Europe. The countries of Eastern and Central Europe have so far, even after years of membership, still been overlooked. Poland is the only country from the region to have been awarded one of the bloc’s senior positions in the past with Donald Tusk and Jerzy Buzek leading the European Council and European Parliament respectively. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, spoke about the selections of candidates for Deník N.

The current head of the European Commission has announced that she will run for her second mandate. What are her chances of success? What are her key topics? What is she yet to focus on? And who are the other possible candidates? Klára Votavová, a researcher at the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, explains for ČT24.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, visited the Czech Republic. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, analysed her visit for TN.cz. What does her series of visits to countries of the European Union mean and can it affect participation in the upcoming elections?

The Czech Republic abstained in the vote on the EU migration pact, despite having promoted it so far and participated in its preparation. In addition to criticism of the bureaucratic burden, it may also be a strategic move ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections. Our deputy director Viktor Daněk commented on the Czech Republic's position for the MF Dnes daily.

Belgium is gearing up for several elections this year. In addition to the European elections, Belgian citizens will also vote for the federal and regional parliaments on the same day. Although this arrangement is nothing new in Belgium, it may make it more difficult for voters to distinguish between the different election campaigns. Growing Flemish nationalism may also bring complications. These topics are addressed by Nicolas Rouillard in his new blog.

Although the ANO movement has been part of a very pro-European liberal faction in the European Parliament for the past decade, it has said almost nothing good about the EU in the campaign leading up to the EU elections, says analyst Viktor Daněk.

The Democratic Progressive Party candidate wins Taiwan's presidential election for the third time in a row. The incumbent vice-president, William Lai, whom China describes as a troublemaker and separatist, will become head of state. A rapprochement with Beijing is therefore not expected, quite the opposite. Our researcher Zuzana Krulichová commented for ČRo Plus on what these elections mean, especially from an economic point of view.

Listen to Ziga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office, on the Serbian elections.

The post-election situation in Poland has taken a rather unsurprising turn. Kaczyński's government is ending and Donald Tusk has been elected the new Prime Minister of Poland. Our deputy director Viktor Daněk commented on the situation for RTVS.