The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is the EU's key instrument for determining the expenditure and revenue components of the common European budget. The negotiations on the long-term budget are among the most important and lengthy at European level. It decides on overall spending in traditional areas such as agriculture and cohesion, but also on new priorities such as defence and competitiveness. The European Commission is expected to present its proposal for the 2028-2034 financial framework by mid-2025, but informal discussions on the shape of the proposal are already taking place at both working and political level - the new European Commissioner for Budgets is now touring Member States and the Commission has launched a public consultation on the subject. The Commission has already presented the broad outlines of the next MFF, including a greater focus on efficiency, added value and simplification. It has also stressed the need for more flexibility to make the budget more responsive to crises. The number of (old) new priorities, including defence, climate and competitiveness, also raises the question of the size of the next European budget and new own resources. The current debate on the Czech priorities for the next MFF is therefore more than appropriate and the Czech Republic should actively enter into negotiations at the European level. The background paper for the round table of the National Convention on the EU was prepared by Josef Bič (FSV VŠE) and Filip Křenek (EUROPEUM).

The National Convention on the European Union has published a new policy paper with recommendations on the topic Czechia and the Priorities of the New Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034. The document is based on the roundtable discussion held on 28 March 2025 and responds to current debates on the shape of the next EU budget in the context of increasing expenditure pressures — for example, in the areas of defence, the reconstruction of Ukraine, or competitiveness. The recommendations focus on the need to clearly define Czech priorities, take new challenges into account, and strengthen the involvement of Czech stakeholders in European programmes. They also reflect the need to streamline budgetary instruments and emphasise the importance of broader public and expert debate on the benefits of the EU budget for the Czech Republic. The expert guarantors of the roundtable were the Institute for European Policy EUROPEUM and the University of Economics in Prague.

The European Union refuses to make energy cheaper by abolishing emission allowances, even though Czech economists and businessmen believe this would bring the greatest relief. Instead, it is coming up with its own plan to lower electricity and gas prices. Filip Křenek, an analyst at the Europeum Institute, commented on the situation for iDnes.

The National Convent on the European Union issued recommendations based on the roundtable held on 28 March 2025 on the topic "The Czech Republic and the Priorities of the New Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034." The discussion focused on the priorities of the next EU multiannual budget, with emphasis on efficiency, added value, simplification, and the need to strengthen European defense spending. The expert guarantors of the roundtable were the Institute for European Policy EUROPEUM and the University of Economics in Prague.

European carmakers have been investing in the US for decades and therefore consider the introduction of tariffs a low blow. Donald Trump's decision to impose 25% tariffs on cars made outside the US has also been criticised by the European car industry association ACEA. According to the manufacturers, the new measure will also indirectly affect the Czech company Skoda and its suppliers. How big a hit this will be depends on the specific list of products to which the duties will apply - which is not yet known. However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade reassures that the impact on the Czech Republic should be rather moderate. Filip Křenek, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation for CNN Prima News.

In Brussels, representatives of the Member States discussed a myriad of issues. One of them is the continuation of further military aid to Ukraine. Twenty-six Member States supported the joint declaration on the continuation of aid, while Hungary opposed it. What weight does this declaration carry if it is not unanimous? Filip Křenek, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for STVR.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is inseparable from European security. Dependence on fossil fuel imports puts Europe in a difficult position, even from a military perspective. Filip Křenek, project coordinator and analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this for portal Obnovitelně.cz.

The European Union responded to the U.S. tariffs of 25 percent on raw steel, aluminum, and products made from them. The EU's decision and the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump were analyzed for TN Live by Filip Křenek, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

Awareness of the European Union is still insufficient and less than it should be. This perception is a reflection of how much we know about the EU. Filip Křenek, analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the podcast Tvoříme Evropu.

What truly matters when choosing how we get around? How do Czechs prefer to travel, and what’s stopping them from switching to electric cars? Join us for a live talk-show-style webinar where we’ll present fresh data on Czech mobility habits. We’ll explore:

The European Commission has presented a clean industrial agreement. Agreement is designed to ensure that the Green Deal's objectives are met while boosting European industry's competitiveness. Filip Křenek, analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Televizní noviny.

Can the strategic plans presented by the European Commission today make a significant contribution to the competitiveness of European industry? Filip Křenek, EUROPEUM Institute analyst commented for Radižurnál.