European Commission

With less than two weeks to go until the European Parliament elections, voters can choose their representatives with the help of a Europe-wide debate of candidates for the post of the future President or President of the European Commission. Five candidates, including the current head of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who is seeking her second mandate this year, met in the debate on Thursday. Topics discussed included defence and security, the environment and the importance of democracy. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, spoke to TN.cz about the importance of the debate for Czech voters and the outcomes of the individual candidates.

With the upcoming elections, political parties are expressing their views on potential candidates for EU commissioner and their chances. Among the most frequently mentioned names are Danuše Nerudová, Jozef Síkela, and Marcel Kolaja. What experiences are most important for potential new members of the European Parliament? And is it better for them to have a narrow specialization or a broader overview? These questions are answered by Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, for newspaper Mladá fronta Dnes.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in the Czech Republic. She met with President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The visit was part of the campaign ahead of the European Parliament elections in June. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on Ursula von der Leyen's arrival in the Czech Republic.

Twenty years ago, the European Union underwent its biggest enlargement with the addition of ten Central and Eastern European countries. According to Vít Havelka, Senior Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, this is enough time for all accession countries to learn how to navigate the EU institutions and its decision-making process.

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.

Military industry in Europe is not able to cover the needs related to the supply of ammunition to Ukraine. The situation of the long-neglected EU weapons industry is now being addressed by the European Commission with financial support of 500 milion of euro. But is the decision on financial support coming too late? And how long before the industry can be renewed? Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation for TN.cz.

The European Parliament is now taking the European Commission to the Court of Justice of the EU over the controversial release of EU funds to Hungary. Why do some MEPs consider the release of funds to be the result of blackmail by Hungary? Why have MEPs taken the matter to court? What could the lawsuit cause comments Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute for Czech Radio.

The head of our Brussels office, Žiga Faktor, spoke to EURACTIV.cz about the departure of Dutchman Frans Timmermans from the European Commission. The influential vice-president of the European Commission was lured by the prospect of the prime minister's chair in the Netherlands, and his boss, Ursula von der Leyen, has to manage without him. But her difficulties do not end there, a year before the European elections.

Germany and the European Commission resolve a dispute over internal combustion engines. Synthetic fuels get an exemption. However, the details of the new agreement have not yet been made public. Our researcher Vít Havelka tells TA3 what this means for motorists and the economy.

In September 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a new media regulator - the European Media Freedom Act. Slovenia is one of the most struggling EU countries in terms of media freedom and independence. In the summer of 2020, the Janša government proposed a media-focused law that would increase the state's influence over Slovenia's national press agency and limit its funding of the public broadcaster RTV. Has Slovenia's new law put the European Commission ahead of the game? That is what our intern Klára Landová discusses in her blog.

The head of our Brussels office – Žiga Faktor, commented for DVTV news service on the vaccination process in Serbia and journey of the Czech PM into the country.

Our associate research fellow Zuzana Stuchlíková commented on the start of vaccination against the new type of coronavirus. Vaccination in the EU shall begin shortly after the Christmas holidays. The European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen even declared the period between 27-29 December as “vaccination days.”