EU elections

According to the Eurobarometer survey, 91% of young people aged 15-24 believe that participation in European elections is important. How does this attitude translate into practice? Does this mean that there will be an increase in voter turnout among young people? What advantages and opportunities does the European Union offer to younger citizens? Can Brussels effectively explain the benefits of EU membership to young people? These are the questions addressed by Klára Votavová, a research fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, for the Horizont programme on Czech TV.

What are the reasons for the rise of the far-right in the upcoming European elections? Can we say that the far-right still holds anti-European views? What would the agenda of the European Parliament look like if the far-right gained more support? How likely is it that the European People's Party and Liberals would cooperate with the Conservatives? Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, provided live answers on the program "Předvolební Evropa" on ČT24.

In the forthcoming European elections, projections suggest that the European People's Party and the Socialists will likely hold their ground. However, a competitive scenario arises for the third spot as liberals confront rising of Eurosceptic and far-right parties. What drives voter behavior towards these political parties? Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, answered for main evening broadcast Události at Česká televize.

One of the most criticised politicises, that was agreed on in Brussels in this term. The critics argue that it decreases the competitiveness of Europe, while environmentalists think it should be stricter. Is it possible to cancel Green Deal? Or at least to modify it? For the main evening broadcast Televizní noviny on TV Nova, Kateřina Davidová, a researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this issue.

Russia has a significant interest in influencing European elections, which raises awareness in the European Parliament. The issue of Russia's interference will also be addressed in the plenary session. Measures such as restricting visits to the Parliament building or holding events on its premises are being considered. Nevertheless, member states still play a crucial role in foreign and security policy of EU, as commented Jonáš Syrovátka, a researcher at the EUROPEUM Institute, for main evening news broadcast on TV Nova.

Interest in the European Parliament elections remains low, and increased turnout is not expected this year either. The Czech perception of the European Union is partly shaped by political expressions, influencing a rather eurosceptic public perception. Although Czech MEPs have the potential to contribute significantly within the Parliament, the public has only limited awareness of their work and influence. Speculations about future positions within the ECR faction and possible commissioner positions are still premature. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, opened these topics on the evening broadcast 90’ on ČT24.

According to a new survey by the Ipsos agency for Euronews, ANO party has the highest support leading up to the June elections, followed by the SPOLU coalition, with Mayors and independents (STAN) holding third place. ANO party could potentially gain up to nine seats, while STAN also show increased support. On the other hand, the SPOLU coalition is not expected to achieve the anticipated level of support. The decision to participate in the elections as part of this coalition could benefit Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-ČSL), but it may harm TOP 09. Deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented on the survey for iDnes.cz.

Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the current government's and opposition leader Andrej Babiš's stance on the migration pact for the newsletter Ředitelé Evropy of Hospodářské noviny.

Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the current events in Wednesday's press for the morning broadcast of ČRo Plus. Among other topics, he discussed the rise of the far right in Europe and the US presidential election.

The report from the project ''Save the European elections'', which we launched together with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Prague this May, is now available.