Articles Archive

MEPs will elect the new leadership of the European Parliament at the inaugural session in Strasbourg. Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola from the European People's Party is once again running for the position of president. On Thursday, they will also choose the head of the new European Commission, with most leaders supporting the current president, Ursula von der Leyen. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČT24.

After the June European elections, Slovakia will have its weakest representation in the largest political group of the European Parliament - the European People's Party - since joining the EU in 2004. The only MEP in the EPP faction will be Miriam Lexmann from the Christian Democratic Movement. For the Slovak News Agency commented Žiga Faktor, head of the Brussels office and deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute.

According to the Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute Martin Vokálek European topics will be more frequently discussed in the public sphere. The reason for this are the newly elected MEPs, who met for the first time this week at a plenary session in Strasbourg. Their ranks include not only "traditional" politicians but also prominent figures with unconventional approaches. What challenges and changes can we expect from the new European Parliament? Listen to the Czech Radio podcast Bruselské chlebíčky.

Last week the discussions about the political groups of the European Parliament finalized. What exactly are they and what are their tasks? And what role will Czech MEPs play in them? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute answered these questions on the morning show of CNN Prima News.

Czech cities could take inspiration in combating high temperatures from cities in southern Europe, such as Barcelona, which has effective plans and is well-adapted to extreme heat. Barcelona boasts over two hundred climate shelters in publicly accessible institutions like museums, galleries, offices, and libraries, providing drinking water, air conditioning, and informational services. According to Katarína Svitková, an Associate Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, Czechia lacks action plans and responds to heat only at the last minute. Preparedness for tropical days is crucial for protecting the population, especially seniors and young children, for whom summer days are the most demanding.

Czech cities can draw inspiration from southern Europe in combating heat, such as Barcelona, which has effective plans and is better adapted to high temperatures. For instance, the city boasts over two hundred "climate shelters" in publicly accessible spaces like museums, galleries, offices, and libraries, providing drinking water, air conditioning, and informational services. However, the Czech Republic is unprepared for heatwaves. Associate Researcher Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute Katarína Svitková commented for the Czech News Agency.

Tereza Novotná, an Associate Research Fellow at the EUROPEUM Institute, explores the emotional dimensions of EU foreign policy in her article for the Journal of European Integration. The analysis examines how emotional factors shape political decisions and responses regarding EU human rights sanctions against China and North Korea, highlighting differing outcomes in these cases and suggesting that incorporating emotional awareness could enhance policy effectiveness.

ANO movement leader Andrej Babiš recently co-founded a new group in the European Parliament with Viktor Orbán. Patriots for Europe, considered an extreme right-wing bloc, now include parties of Marine Le Pen and Geert Wilders among others. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala labeled it as pro-Russian oriented. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on Babiš's actions for Czech Radio.

The ANO movement has joined the new group Patriots for Europe, which it co-founded to promote national interests in Europe more effectively. Now it is third-largest in the European Parliament and includes, among others, the French National Rally of Marine Le Pen, and the Hungarian Fidesz of Viktor Orbán. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute talked in the podcast 5:59 of Seznam Zprávy how this affiliation could affect the perception of the Czech Republic abroad.

MEPs from 14 right-leaning parties have joined the political group Patriots for Europe in the European Parliament. From the Czech Republic, they were joined by MEPs from the ANO movement and two MEPs from the Přísaha a Motoristé party. They could become the third strongest political group in the European Parliament. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this.

EP groups reach a preliminary agreement on the division of committees in the new European Parliament. The strongest European People's Party Group would like to claim 7 of them, for example for foreign affairs, industry or agriculture. Listen to the comments of Viktor Daňek, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.

The new group in the European Parliament, Patriots for Europe, is about to hold its inaugural meeting. They need 23 MEPs from at least seven EU member states. So far, it looks like they will meet that requirement. Comments Viktor Daňek, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.