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.
Show moreThe 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.
Show moreThe European Commission plans to abolish the current exemption from customs duties on cheap goods from Chinese e-shops. Until now, a 150-euro limit has applied to parcels from outside the EU. The forthcoming amendment is part of a package that aims to simplify and digitalize EU customs policy. In an interview with CNN Prima News, EUROPEUM Institute researcher Rebecca Hengal spoke about the issue.
Show morePoliticians and companies should start putting more emphasis on prevention and education about active and healthy lifestyles, because the health of the population has a major impact on the competitiveness of companies and the national economy. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this issue.
Show moreThe essential components needed to grow the modern economy include chips and semiconductors, solar panels and batteries for electric cars. All of these are imported into Europe from Asian countries instead of manufacturing capacity being built here. Viktor Daňek, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, said it is necessary to open a debate on the reform of the common budget and new revenues.
Show moreHow to improve the EU enlargement process? How to ensure that the democratising effect of the accession process is sustained beyond the eventual accession to the EU? And are EU institutional reforms a necessary condition for EU enlargement? Answers to these and other questions are offered by the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy's contribution to the National Convention on the EU's roundtable on Balkans, Turkey or Ukraine: the future of enlargement policy in the context of institutional settings.
Show moreThis year, the Czech Republic celebrates 20 years since its accession to the European Union. Klára Votavová, a researcher from EUROPEUM Institute, points out in the political podcast "Chyba systému" by Czech Radio, that the accession wasn't as carefully considered as it might seem. And the idea of returning to Europe may have been overly optimistic. This is now reflected in the attitudes of Czechs towards the EU.
Show moreLast August, a decision was made that may be one of the most important steps in the fight against climate change this decade. Relatively unnoticed, the United States Congress voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. This is a massive investment package that could fundamentally affect the way Europe and other countries have approached the green transformation to date.
Show moreThis is the second time the delivery company's couriers have gone on strike since the beginning of the year. Our researcher Klára Votavová explained the reasons for the strike on Český Rozhlas Plus. The couriers are bothered by the drop in earnings and describe the remuneration system itself as non-transparent. The European Parliament is also concerned with increasing the protection of couriers and so-called platform workers in response to the emergence of a new market segment.
Show moreAn emergency meeting of EU ministers will be held today to discuss the dramatic rise in energy prices. The gas price cap is unlikely to happen, but other proposals are expected to be approved. Our research fellow Michal Hrubý commented on the situation.
Show more