In the Media

By the end of 2026, the European Union will introduce a unified digital identity for citizens and businesses. The EU Digital Identity Wallet will allow users to store official documents, sign contracts, and verify their identity across member states with just a few clicks. The initiative aims to reduce bureaucracy, cut costs, and remove barriers within the single market, while also raising concerns about data protection and the potential pressure to make the system widely mandatory. The article was commented on by Filip Křenek, analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

U.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.

Prime 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."

Martin 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 Chinese electric vehicle market is slowing down as government support is gradually being reduced and domestic demand weakens. Chinese manufacturers are increasingly seeking to export their vehicles abroad, including to Europe, which may influence future EV prices and intensify competition for European carmakers. However, analysts stress that this does not indicate a collapse of the Chinese market, but rather a consolidation in which only the strongest players will survive, giving Europe time to adapt its electric mobility strategy. The article was commented on by Filip Křenek, analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

The 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.

Despite high energy prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and growing international competition, the Czech automotive industry remains in relatively strong shape. Production levels in 2025 remain high, with Czechia recording one of the strongest year-on-year growth rates in Europe. The sector’s resilience is driven by its flexibility, high factory utilization, and growing success on European markets, particularly in electric vehicles. The article was commented on by Filip Křenek, analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

Although 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.

The European Commission has softened its original plan to ban the sale of cars with internal combustion engines after 2035. Under the new proposal, CO₂ emissions from new vehicles would have to be reduced by 90 percent compared to 2021 levels, rather than eliminated entirely as initially planned. For ČT1, the situation was commented on by Filip Křenek, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

A kind of “Christmas bonus” awaits German companies: the governing coalition will secure them significantly cheaper electricity. Czech industry, by contrast, will pay at least 30 percent more, which for companies such as Třinecké železárny means cost differences running into billions of crowns compared to their German competitors. For iDNES, the situation was commented on by Filip Křenek, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

The 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.

EU 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.