Europeum

ČT24 | Síkela to be European Commissioner for International Partnerships, von der Leyen has announced

September 17, 2024

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced the staff of the new European Commission. Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela is to be Commissioner for International Partnerships. This portfolio includes the largest ever Directorate-General, which employs three thousand people and has a large financial envelope. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for ČT24.

Hospodářské noviny | Síkela will help defy China in Brussels. How important portfolio has he been given?

September 17, 2024

The Czech government wanted EU Commissioner nominee Jozef Síkela to be put in charge of the economic portfolio in the new European Commission. Síkela himself preferred energy, but instead he will end up in charge of the "international partnership and Global Gateway strategy" in Brussels, a less influential post than trade, which Prime Minister Fiala was pushing through. Filip Křenek, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny on the post Síkela has been given by Ursula von der Leyen.

ČT24 | Síkela to be EU Commissioner for Energy, says Die Welt

September 03, 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already decided on key positions in her new team. The energy portfolio should go to Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela, the Die Welt website reported citing its sources. Prime Minister Petr Fiala will not comment on the information, a government spokeswoman said. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČT24.

ČRo Plus | Formation of the new European Commission

August 26, 2024

Ursula von der Leyen has asked EU Member States to send her two names of candidates for the post of Commissioner in the European Commission, one man and one woman, so that she can create a balanced team. The Czech Republic ignored this request and proposed only Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela for the post of EU Commissioner. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Český rozhlas Plus.

ČT24 | The government confirmed the nomination of Jozef Síkela to the European Commission

August 21, 2024

Czech government has confirmed the nomination of Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela for the position of Czech EU Commissioner at its meeting. How will the appointment process continue? And what are Síkela's chances of securing a significant portfolio in the European Commission? Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, answers on ČT24 broadcast.

TV Nova | Final stage of EU Commissioners iselection. Fiala meets with von der Leyen in Brussels

August 20, 2024

Petr Fiala met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. This is just two days before the Czech government is due to definitively confirm the nomination of minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Sikela for the post of European Commissioner. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for the main evening broadcast on TV Nova about what they could discuss at the closed-door meeting and how strong the position of the future Czech Commissioner is in Europe.

e15 | European exporters fear a return of Donald Trump. Brussels already has a plan to deal with it

July 31, 2024

If Donald Trump wins the upcoming U.S. presidential election, trade relations between the European Union and the United States could face serious challenges next year. Trump has promised to impose a universal ten percent tariff on all goods imported into the American market. Although his rhetoric is primarily aimed at China, such a tariff would also significantly impact European manufacturers. Is the EU preparing for the possibility that Trump could become president again and implement this measure? How would European companies be affected if the next U.S. president were Democrat Kamala Harris? Kateřina Davidová, a senior researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, comments on this topic for e15.

Deník N | Czech Republic wants an influential post for Síkela. What are his chances?

July 30, 2024

The government of Petr Fiala is sending Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela to the race for an influential portfolio with the aim of filling one of the eco-oriented agendas. These are traditionally filled by representatives of large European countries, but even so, Síkela may not be without a chance. His professional background and the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU will play in his favour. The Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, Viktor Daněk, reflected for Deník N on whether it would not be more important to focus on an agenda where interesting legislative activity can be expected in the coming years.

Czech Radio | Government agrees on Síkela as new Czech EU Commissioner

July 25, 2024

The Czech government has nominated its current Minister of Industry and Trade, Jozef Síkela, for the role of European Commissioner, aiming to secure an economic portfolio. In doing so, they are bypassing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's request to put forward both a male and a female candidate. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, discussed the decision and its implications on Czech Radio.

Journal of European Integration | Emotions and sanctions in EU-China and EU-North Korea policies

July 11, 2024

Tereza Novotná, an Associate Research Fellow at the EUROPEUM Institute, explores the emotional dimensions of EU foreign policy in her article for the Journal of European Integration. The analysis examines how emotional factors shape political decisions and responses regarding EU human rights sanctions against China and North Korea, highlighting differing outcomes in these cases and suggesting that incorporating emotional awareness could enhance policy effectiveness.