With Hungary taking over the EU presidency in July 2024, many are questioning the EU's ability to promote its values in its member states. Indeed, the EU is about to hand over its presidency to a state that has been criticised for its actions that threaten the rule of law and is subject to the procedure set out in Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), writes Maxime Painot in his blog.

Energy communities are an effective means to decentralize and renew our energy systems with sustainable solutions as they are usually based on renewable energy. They have already started emerging in 1970´s, yet there has been a significant increase in their development only in recent years, also in terms of their introduction into the EU legislation. Especially in Western and Northern European countries the concept already enjoys vast popularity. On the other hand, in Central and Eastern European countries (further referred to as CEE) energy communities are only beginning to emerge. The policy brief (based on literature and interviews with various stakeholders ) examines the benefits energy communities may bring, and more importantly, the main obstacles remaining in their way for greater evolution in the CEE region – and especially Visegrad countries (V4). As these initiatives progress, sharing the best practices will ensure the success of the community energy in the energy transition. Writes Alžbeta Gavalcová.

In December 2023, the Hungarian Parliament passed a law establishing the Office for the Protection of the Sovereign, a state agency that now has unlimited access to personal data to search for and prosecute alleged foreign agents among the Hungarian population. Our researcher Henry Barrett, a Fulbright-Schuman Grantee, writes about this topic in his blog.

During the fifth debate of the third edition of the EU-Pacific Talks, organised by EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, participants focused on the importance of the Global South and the events taking place there that require attention. In the debate, participants stressed the importance of recognising regional differences, showing respect for the countries in the region and actively engaging in listening to their views. Read what our guests discussed in the report written by Adéla Jehličková.

This policy brief analyses the prospective changes in the European Parliament (EP) composition following the 2024 elections. It reflects on the evolving political environment since 2019, highlighting shifts in party dynamics within the EP, such as the fragmentation of traditional party dominance and the emergence of new political alignments. Additionally, it explores potential reconfigurations in top EU positions post-elections and examines ongoing concerns regarding geographical representation within EU institutions, particularly the European Commission. Writes Tomasz Zając from the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM).

Belgium is gearing up for several elections this year. In addition to the European elections, Belgian citizens will also vote for the federal and regional parliaments on the same day. Although this arrangement is nothing new in Belgium, it may make it more difficult for voters to distinguish between the different election campaigns. Growing Flemish nationalism may also bring complications. These topics are addressed by Nicolas Rouillard in his new blog.

Can Ukraine take lessons from the Czech approach to the recovery plan? Alina Boiko focuses on the Czech implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which could help the Ukrainian authorities improve their ability to implement new policies.

The Sahel faces interconnected challenges like poverty, food insecurity, conflicts, terrorism, and climate change. Recent military coups indicate ongoing political instability. Europe, concerned for over a decade, recognizes potential threats to its security, leading the European Union to actively address the region's issues through a comprehensive approach. Writes Hanga Horváth-Sántha, Research Fellow at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA).

In the next debate of the EU-Pacific Talks series, hosted by EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, the guests explored the relationship between cooperation and competition in overcoming technological frontiers in the context of pressing climate and industrial demands. Guests explored insights on fostering technological innovation, tackling climate change and promoting sustainable development. Read what our guests discussed in the report written by Simona Růžičková.

The EU didn't manage to communicate well regarding the Hamas attack on Israel. This blog delves into the shortcomings of the EU's response, shedding light on the complexities and challenges faced in handling the aftermath of this sensitive geopolitical situation. Written by Adam Horry.

During the next debate in the EU-Pacific Talks series organised by EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, participants engaged in a lively debate covering various aspects of the Russian attack on Ukraine. They also discussed the potential impact on the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region and the ability of allies and partners to navigate their Indo-Pacific commitments. Read what our guests discussed in this report by Zuzana Augustova.

Even in the most developed countries in the world of today, there is still inequality between men and women, especially in the top public positions. One way of tackling this problem is gender quotas, which the European Union has now taken up in a business context. You can read about the adopted directive and the EU's overall strategy to address the under-representation of women in our intern Natálie Hendlingerová's new blog.