In the Media

Europe has a problem compared to other large economies in the world. It is lagging behind. What to do about it? The new European Commission has changed priorities compared to the previous one - more on the economy, less on the climate. How does this suit the Czech Republic and how should it approach it? Deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented for podcast Ranní brífink of Hospodářské noviny.

The new rules on asylum and migration agreed upon by EU member states this year are, according to ANO movement leader Andrej Babiš, "a huge betrayal prepared by the government of Petr Fiala". Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office Žiga Faktor commented on the relationship between the European Union and Tunisia in the wake of the presidential elections for the Slovakian Radio.

The newly elected NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte went on his first working visit to Ukraine. He assured President Volodymyr Zelensky that he wants member countries to continue to support Ukraine and strengthen defense. Experts say they don't expect a change in the direction of the North Atlantic Alliance with the new chief, while warning that under the circumstances it will be the most difficult for him to keep the alliance together. For ČT24 comments Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute Danielle Piatkiewicz.

Rising prices, defence of the country and migration are topics that motivated Czechs to participate in the European Parliament elections this June. Although similar issues have drawn voters to the polls in other EU countries, Czech turnout remains far below average. However, the real impact of European regulations is making more and more Czechs interested in the elections. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for iDnes.cz.

According to the European Commission, the Czech Republic is not complying with EU legislation on combating racial and ethnic discrimination. Brussels has therefore initiated infringement proceedings. It claims that the Czech Republic is not effectively addressing the problem of segregation of Roma children in schools. Deputy director at EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented for Český rozhlas.

Czech Minister of Transport Martin Kupka announced at the end of September, following the example of Italy, that the revision of the end of internal combustion engines should take place earlier than in the originally planned 2026. Rebeka Hengalová, researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Ekonomický deník.

The European Commission sues Hungary over a law protecting national sovereignty. According to Brussels, it violates, among other things, several fundamental freedoms of the internal market or EU data protection laws. Budapest defends the law on the grounds that it is necessary to protect it from foreign political interference. For example, it prohibits political parties standing for election from being financed by anyone from abroad. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for main evening broadcast on TV Nova.

In a comprehensive analysis, renowned economist and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi warned EU countries that if their economies continue to grow as they have been, they are in for "slow agony". Well, stagnation. According to the former chief of the European Central Bank, the EU economies will be as large in 2050 as they are today, mainly because the number of people of working age will fall. The only way to reverse this trend is for EU countries to significantly increase their productivity. However, productivity in Europe has grown much more slowly in recent years than in the United States, for example. Filip Křenek, project coordinator and analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

The far-right Freedom party of Austria won country's parliamentary elections. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of the EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, commented for foreign desk broadcast on ČT24 on the results to the National Council, the lower house of parliament.

The historic success of the Freedom Party of Austria and the dramatic defeat of the ruling People's Party are the results of Sunday's Austrian National Council elections, according to the local media. The Social Democrats are likely to face another reboot and there is no room for small parties in parliament. On Monday night, the Austrian authorities officially published the results of the vote, which are being reported across Europe. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and head of Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute commented for Czech TV.

Austria, led by the right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria, could pose a problem for support for Ukraine, said Žiga Faktor, head of the Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute, in an interview with ČTK. At the same time, he said, it would change the distribution of power within the European Council, specifically, the EU summits, where a strong group of prime ministers from the Patriots for Europe faction would be formed.