EU accession

Moldovans 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.

The contrast between the old and the new is visible in the streets of Chișinău. Brutalist skyscrapers stand next to places like the Digital Park, a technological hub and symbol of the desire for the modern and innovative. This contrast is also deeply rooted in the political debate about Moldova's identity and future. EUROPEUM Institute analyst Jana Faktor Juzová commented for RTS Serbia.

Moldova stands at a critical juncture that will determine its position within Europe. In the elections on Sunday, the incumbent president Maia Sandu is seeking a second term and a positive result in the EU accession referendum to reaffirm her country’s path towards Europe. But the hybrid threat facing Moldova from Russia will not dissipate, particularly as next year’s pivotal parliamentary elections approach in the tiny former Soviet republic. Hugo Blewett-Mundy, a non-resident associate research fellow from EUROPEUM, analyses the current situation in Moldova and provides an outlook for the country in 2025.

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.

Our researcher Jana Juzová, in collaboration with Nikola Burazer from Centar Savremene Politike, has written a handbook for reporting on EU accession. The handbook is intended for those reporting on Serbia's EU accession process, either as representatives of the media or civil society.