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Seznam Zprávy | Which Side Will He Take? After Orbán’s Fall, Babiš Faces a New Reality
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14. 4. 2026
14. 4. 2026Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Hungary marked a turning point; the end of the Orbán era is redrawing the European map. What does the loss of an ally mean for Andrej Babiš, and what are the implications of Péter Magyar’s victory for the European Union? Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Seznam Zprávy.
Voxpot | A Traitor Speaks. Hungary’s “Snitching” to Lavrov Will Transform the EU
More info 31. 3. 2026
31. 3. 2026The revelation that Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó shared confidential information from EU negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed what many had suspected: Hungary is an unreliable partner that other EU member states do not trust. How will this scandal affect the future functioning of the European community? Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Voxpot.
Teraz.sk | The EU Is Reaching the Limits of Its Decision-Making Capacity in Times of Crisis and War
More info 20. 3. 2026
20. 3. 2026The summit of European Union member state leaders in Brussels has cast the bloc in a realistic light—it knows what steps it wants to take, but at the same time is reaching the limits of its decision-making capacity amid several parallel crises and two wars with a direct impact on Europe. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the summit’s topics for TASR. According to him, the key point is that the EU is no longer trying to maintain unity at any cost.
ČT24 | European Union finance ministers discussed how to address rising oil prices
More info 10. 3. 2026
10. 3. 2026Eurozone finance ministers met in Brussels to discuss the impact of oil prices and the uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute and head of its Brussels office, commented on ČT24 on the subsequent meeting of finance ministers from all European Union member states, where, in addition to energy, the financing of Ukraine and efforts to further integrate European financial markets were also discussed.
ČRo Plus | European leaders' response to US-Israeli attack on Iran is cautious but unified, expert sums up
More info 2. 3. 2026
2. 3. 2026Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, summarized European leaders' responses to events in Iran for ČRo Plus.
voxpot | Diplomacy or bazooka? How will Europe respond to Trump’s threats?
More info 21. 1. 2026
21. 1. 2026U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated pressure on Europe through tariff threats and explicit challenges to Greenland’s sovereignty. The European Union is now weighing a response that balances diplomacy with tougher countermeasures, including the potential use of its so-called economic “bazooka.” Experts warn that without a confident and united stance, Europe risks further weakening transatlantic relations and its own global standing. Commented on by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.
Deník N | Fico spent less than an hour with Trump. The photos show how the visit unfolded.
More info 19. 1. 2026
19. 1. 2026Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago did not yield any official results, yet Fico presented it at home as a significant diplomatic success. Analyst Martin Vokálek comments on the meeting, considering Fico's foreign policy unreasonable and claiming that "Slovakia risks being torn apart in all four directions."
Teraz.sk | Analyst: EU should respond with unity and reject Trump's pressure
More info 19. 1. 2026
19. 1. 2026Martin Vokálek, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, points out that the European Union should respond unanimously to Donald Trump's statements regarding possible pressure on Denmark in connection with Greenland. He believes that the EU should confirm its common position at the upcoming summit and send a signal that it rejects the use of economic threats as a tool of political pressure. At the same time, he emphasizes that the Union should prioritize dialogue but be prepared to use legal instruments to protect its interests if pressure is actually exerted.
“The situation is not catastrophic.” The top ten geopolitical risks and opportunities for Ukraine in 2026. Spoiler: Ukraine itself generates some of the risks.
More info 2. 1. 2026
2. 1. 2026The prospects for ending the war in Ukraine in 2026 remain uncertain, shaped by global geopolitical dynamics from Washington to Beijing. While risks include wavering U.S. commitment, European political fragmentation, and growing Russia–China cooperation, Ukraine also faces important opportunities, particularly through deeper integration with the European Union and a stronger role in Europe’s security architecture. Commented by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.
“Wary Brussels: Babiš’s solution to the conflict of interest may not be enough.”
More info 18. 12. 2025
18. 12. 2025Although Andrej Babiš claims to have resolved his conflict of interest by transferring Agrofert into a trust structure, Brussels remains cautious. The European Commission has so far refrained from issuing a clear position, waiting to see whether the proposed solution genuinely addresses the legal and political risks related to the use of EU funds. Commented by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.
Forbes Ukraine | “To Save Face for Belgium.” Five reasons why Belgium is blocking the reconstruction loan for Ukraine. Is it possible to break the veto? Forbes Ukraine analysis
More info 13. 12. 2025
13. 12. 2025The proposed reparations loan for Ukraine, backed by frozen Russian assets, has encountered resistance within the EU, mainly due to Belgium’s firm stance. While legal concerns play a role, the blockade is also shaped by domestic political considerations and fears over fiscal stability. Despite these obstacles, a compromise may still emerge ahead of the December European Council summit, particularly if risk-sharing mechanisms are clarified and pressure from other member states increases. Commented by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.
Denník N | Fico sent a vulgar message about Ukraine to Brussels. Meanwhile, EU countries have already agreed on how to bypass a potential Slovak and Hungarian veto
More info 12. 12. 2025
12. 12. 2025EU member states have taken the first significant step toward releasing frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. Despite opposition from Slovakia and Hungary, they approved a mechanism ensuring that the funds will not depend on sanctions or the decisions of individual countries, allowing them to help Kyiv obtain the necessary financial support. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels office of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this for Denník N.