Articles and Publications

Even though the vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has already taken place — and some countries are now stepping back from the contest — the core dilemma remains unchanged. This piece breaks down how Eurovision found itself at the center of global politics — and why the debate over Israel is only one chapter in a longer struggle over neutrality, reputation, and the future of the contest. Perfect for anyone trying to make sense of what’s unfolding now.

This policy paper explores how the image of the European Union is shaped on Armenian social media amid growing political uncertainty and shifting expectations. It analyses key online narratives and actors, as well as the tension between hopes invested in the EU and frustration over limited outcomes in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

This policy paper examines how Ukraine’s prospective EU accession has been turned into a tool of domestic political mobilisation in Hungary. It traces how Viktor Orbán and government communication frame Ukraine as a threat and embed the issue into a broader anti-Brussels narrative built on fears of war, loss of sovereignty, and “foreign values” in the run-up to the 2026 elections.

Platform work in the V4 and Western Balkans is rapidly expanding but remains weakly regulated, creating risks for workers and social systems. Authored by Silke Maes, a research fellow at the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, and financed by Stiftung Mercator, this final report calls for region-specific reforms to strengthen legal frameworks, enforcement, worker protection, and data collection, supported by broader cooperation at national and EU levels.

The analysis assesses the evolution of transatlantic relations in 2025 in the context of Donald Trump’s return to office and changes in the U.S. approach to security guarantees. It examines the implications of these shifts for European security, collective defence, strategic autonomy, and the resilience of democratic institutions. The text also addresses issues of geopolitical stability in the Arctic and the MENA region, as well as climate and energy policy, trade relations, and technological competitiveness. Drawing on discussions from the Transatlantic Policy Forum, it formulates key recommendations for strengthening transatlantic cooperation in the areas of security, the economy, and strategic coordination.

Na konci listopadu 2024 učinil Evropský parlament významný krok, když přijal nařízení 2024/3015, které zakazuje uvádění výrobků vyrobených za použití nucené práce na trh EU. Tento zákaz, jenž vstoupí v platnost v prosinci 2027, se vztahuje na celý dodavatelský řetězec. Vymáhání nařízení bude probíhat prostřednictvím vnitrostátních orgánů členských států a Evropské komise v případech mimo území EU. Ačkoli má opatření globální rozsah, čelí celé řadě výzev – zejména v souvislosti se Sin-ťiangem. Praktiky nucené práce v tomto regionu byly opakovaně zdokumentovány a potvrzeny jak Mezinárodní organizací práce (ILO), tak Organizací spojených národů (OSN). Zároveň je Sin-ťiang klíčovým dodavatelem solárních panelů, kritických surovin, hliníku, PVC a bavlny, přičemž nucená práce zde často probíhá formou státem organizované mobilizace mimo detenční zařízení, což její odhalení výrazně ztěžuje. Jak upozorňuje Jan Švec, výzkumný pracovník Ústavu mezinárodních vztahů v Praze, prosazování tohoto nařízení bude představovat jeden z nejsložitějších úkolů obchodní politiky EU.

In 2009, Liesbet Hooghe and Gary Marks argued that public opinion in the European Union had shifted from permissive consensus to constraining dissensus, giving mass politics a stronger role in integration than traditional theories assumed. This sparked debate about the EU’s democratic deficit – a contested concept, but one with real political effects. The gap between citizens and EU institutions has long been visible in European Parliament elections, traditionally seen as “second-order” contests with low turnout and protest voting. However, the 2019 and especially the 2024 elections broke with this pattern: turnout increased, EU issues became more politicised, and party positions more polarised. These shifts suggest that a new transnational cleavage is emerging, marking a turning point for democratic engagement in the EU, writes Csaba Stefán, a Research Fellow at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, in his policy brief.

How can the Czech Republic strengthen its competitiveness without undermining social cohesion? This question was at the centre of the roundtable of the National Convention on the EU, held on 21 November 2025 and focused on the role of the social dimension in the context of the Draghi Report. The discussion explored the sustainability of the European social model and examined which EU instruments the Czech Republic could use to support its economic, social, and regional development. The background paper and recommendations on this topic were prepared by Klára Votavová and Carlos Gómez del Tronco.

Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) – Challenges and Opportunities, co-organized on November 17th, 2025, by the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute, the International Visegrad Fund, and the Slovak Permanent Representation to the EU, opened with reflections on 17 November—a symbolic date for Central Europe marking the pursuit of freedom, democracy, and systemic transformation. The conference brought together policymakers and experts to discuss the key strategic priorities of the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034. The event offered an in-depth examination of issues including competitiveness, cohesion policy, innovation, and funding for science. It also underscored the importance of the EU budget in supporting Ukraine’s recovery and integration.

The transatlantic relationship is entering a pivotal moment. With the United States turning inward, global rivalries intensifying, and trust across the Atlantic under strain, Europe faces growing pressure to rethink its approach to security, energy, and technology. This paper explores where transatlantic cooperation continues to thrive, where it is weakening, and how Europe can translate strategic ambition into tangible action—before the next crisis tests the resilience of the alliance. An insightful read for anyone engaged in global policy and transatlantic affairs.

On October 22, 2025, the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy held a roundtable discussion in Prague on the future of Czech Automotive Industry. The meeting of representatives from the sector, government, and research confirmed that despite European challenges, the Czech automotive industry remains in good shape, with record production of 1.45 million vehicles in 2024.

The EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy published a press release on 31 October 2025, presenting an analysis of material flows and recycling in the Czech automotive industry and highlighting the need for collaboration between automakers, steel producers, and recyclers to achieve low-carbon and circular solutions.