European Comission

The European Union is struggling with economic problems and is increasingly looking at the back of the US and in some respects China. According to a report recently commissioned by the European Commission from the former central banker and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the solution lies, among other things, in greater European investment. And to ensure that there is enough money for this and that European investors do not go elsewhere, the European capital market should be strengthened. Filip Křenek, project coordinator and analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Český rozhlas Plus.

Czech government has confirmed the nomination of Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela for the position of Czech EU Commissioner at its meeting. How will the appointment process continue? And what are Síkela's chances of securing a significant portfolio in the European Commission? Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, answers on ČT24 broadcast.

It has now been confirmed by the government that minister Jozef Síkela is headed to the European Commission as the Czech candidate. Although President Ursula von der Leyen called on member states to nominate a pair of candidates, both men and women, the Czech Republic did not comply with this request. The outcome is expected to be decided in September when the portfolios for all new EU commissioners will be announced. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Seznam Zprávy.

Jozef Síkela has been nominated by the Czech government for the position of European Commissioner. What was crucial for the decision? And why was Danuše Nerudová not nominated, even though Ursula von der Leyen requires both a female and male candidate? What is the timeline now? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, answers these and other questions for ČT24.

The next European Commission should have a new Commissioner for Defense. There is speculation that this position could go to the Czech Republic. However, some European politicians, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, are calling directly for the creation of European army. But what are the pitfalls of the project? Vít Havelka, a research fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, talked about the usefulness and possibilities for CNN Prima News.

The director of the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Vladimír Bartovic, was a guest on Studio ČT24. He commented on the EU's approach to the forthcoming Hungarian law against LGBT.

On 12 November 2019, Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the European Union together with EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy and CEBRE - Czech Business Representation to the EU in Brussels organised a high-level lunch debate. The meeting was attended by representatives of European Commission, Member States, MEPs, private sector as well as trade unions and research institutes. The debate focused on assessing the current state of the Single Market based on various survey conducted among businesses earlier this year - and draw recommendations for the new Commission.

Our Martin Michelot was a guest of the French radio station Radio chrétienne francophone. He analyzed the so-called grilling, during which MEPs question future European Commissioners.

We are honoured to invite you to a debate organized by our Brussels office titled 'The Visegrad Four and Germany: which shared priorities in the next Commission?' The event will take place at Fondation Universitaire in Brussels on October 16. You can look forward to 4 expert speakers, including one MEP. Read the whole article to find out their names and get more information.

Vladimír Bartovic commented on the new portfolio of Czech European Commissioner for the news server of Czech Television.

Our Zuzana Stuchlíková talked with the Finnish daily Kauppalehti about the future programme of the European Commission and the role of the member states.

Our Vít Havelka talked with the economic daily E15 about the extraordinary inspections of Polish meat by the Czech authorities and a possible lawsuit against Czechia.