In the Media

How is the draft of the next EU budget set up, including from the perspective of Czechia? The situation was commented on for ČRo Radiožurnál by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.

The European Commission has proposed a budget of €2 trillion (49.21 trillion CZK) for the period 2028 to 2034, according to Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin. The financial plan places emphasis on economic competitiveness and defence, while also aiming to reform rules on subsidies for agriculture and economic development. In the coming months, one of the most complex negotiations in Brussels is set to begin. The situation was commented on for ČT24 by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.

Families are expected to pay significantly more in just a year and a half for heating with gas boilers or coal, as well as for petrol and diesel. Households are rejecting the idea, according to data from the STEM agency for the Institute for European Policy EUROPEUM. Analyst Rebeka Hengalová from EUROPEUM commented on the issue for Novinky.cz.

The European Commission prepares a proposal for a multiannual budget for the period 2028-2035. In addition to investments in agriculture, defence and climate goals, Brussels is increasingly talking about the need for greater flexibility - and how to prevent the misuse of funds in countries that violate the EU's fundamental values. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation for ČT24.

The Slovak representative was instructed to request a postponement of the EU vote on sanctions against Russia. Viktor Daněk, Executive Deputy Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation for Czech Radio PLUS.

While the United States and the European Union seemed close to a trade deal, US President Donald Trump suddenly announced 30% tariffs on European goods. The decision comes as negotiations are almost at an end, with European diplomats speculating whether this is a definitive break-up or a pressure tactic by Washington. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation for ČT24.

The government wants to protect consumers from rising fossil fuel prices, but at the same time refuses to be part of the European ETS 2 emissions trading scheme, the proceeds of which are supposed to help households with the costs. Rebeka Hengalová, an analyst at the Europeum Institute, commented on the situation for Seznam Zprávy.

The European Commission is preparing a proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028-2035. This budget will determine how much money will be spent on different EU policies - from agriculture to digitalisation - and what the Union's priorities will be in the next decade. Alongside debates on the level of contributions, there is also expected to be an emphasis on greater control over who is entitled to European money. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation for Radiožurnál.

The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has survived a vote of no-confidence triggered mainly by far-right MEPs over the Pfizer affair. Although the key majority in Parliament remains, the balance of power is changing and the Commission may be more dependent on the conditional support of left-wing factions in the future. Filip Křenek, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation for CNN Prima News.

The European Commission faced a vote of no confidence after President Ursula von der Leyen refused to disclose text messages exchanged with the Pfizer CEO during the pandemic. The motion to dismiss the Commission, initiated mainly by right-wing MEPs, ultimately failed. However, it highlighted the Commission's weaker support on the right wing of the European Parliament. Analyst Filip Křenek from the EUROPEUM Institute commented on the situation for TV Nova.

The vote of no confidence in the European Commission was commented on for CNN Prima News by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.

Návrh na odvolání v Evropském parlamentu neuspěl ani ve frakci, která jej předložila. K situaci se pro RTVS vyjádřil Viktor Daněk, výkonný zástupce ředitele a vedoucí pražské kanceláře Institutu EUROPEUM.