Europeum

Czech Radio | Jozef Síkela is to be Commissioner for International Partnerships. The opposition considers the portfolio weak and invisible

September 17, 2024

Czech Industry Minister Jozef Síkela is to be the Commissioner for International Partnerships in the new European Commission. EU chief executive Ursula von der Leyen announced this today at a press conference in Strasbourg. Political analysts are divided on Síkela's portfolio. They say the government expected more. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Czech Radio.

Hospodářské noviny | What awaits Síkela if he gets a trade portfolio in the Commission?

September 13, 2024

Instead of the expected energy portfolio, the Czech nominee for European Commissioner Jozef Síkela could get foreign trade. He would have at his disposal the bureaucratic apparatus of the Directorate General for International Trade, numbering some 700 employees, which is above average by Brussels standards. What could the mandate of the next Trade Commissioner entail? And what obstacles will he have to deal with? Filip Křenek, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

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.

Café Evropa | 20 years in the EU: what has membership given to and taken away from Czechia?

September 15, 2024

Come and discuss at the next Café Evropa debate series! This time we will visit City of Hranice. Are you interested in how the Green Deal will affect the city, how to draw EU subsidies for local projects, the impact of adopting the euro, security or other European topics?

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.

STVR | Last day to announce EU Commissioner candidates

August 30, 2024

25 of the 27 EU Member States have already nominated candidates for the new European Commission. So far, 17 are men and 7 are women. According to the President of the European Commission Ursula von den Leyen, only Bulgaria has nominated both a man and a woman. The President also confirmed that there will be a new position of European Commissioner for Defense. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Slovakian STVR.

ČT24 | Von der Leyen knows almost all the candidates for EU Commissioners

August 30, 2024

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen already knows almost all the candidates for her future team. The deadline for member states to make their views known ends on Friday, August 30. In July, the EU chief executive asked member states to propose both, a man and a woman so that she will have an equal representation in the Commission. So far, only Bulgaria has heeded the EC chief's request and as the only country offered both a man and a woman. Also, the Lithuanian candidate has not been officially nominated, but his name has been mentioned in some media. For ČT24 comments Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.

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.

Café Evropa | 20 years in the EU: Benefits and drawbacks of the membership for Litomyšl

September 08, 2024

Come join the next event in the Café Evropa regional debate series; this time, we’ll be in Litomyšl. What do you think of 20 years of Czechia in the EU? Are you concerned about what the Migration Pact or the Green Deal might bring? Have European subsidies helped in the development of the town? What has the European Union given and taken from you? We want to hear from you!