Europeum

Horizont ČT24 | Triumph of far-right populists in Austria

September 30, 2024

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.

ČT24 | European Parliament Elected Committee Leadership, Including a Czech Chair

July 23, 2024

Veronika Vrecionová was elected as the Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Luděk Niedermayer as the Vice-Chair of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Does this signify a strengthening or weakening of the Czech position? In which committees will the Czech MEPs be active? How significant is the "cordon sanitaire" of the Patriots for Europe political group? And isn't this isolation of the Patriots for Europe a limitation of democracy? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, discusses this topic in an interview for ČT24.

Novinky.cz | MEPs of the Patriots for Europe group face isolation

July 17, 2024

MEPs from the Patriots for Europe, including representatives of the ANO movement, face isolation in the European Parliament. They are unlikely to secure key positions, significantly limiting their influence on the legislative process. Other political groups are attempting to isolate far-right parties through a so-called cordon sanitaire, a measure already felt by Klára Dostálová, who was not elected Vice-President of the EP. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation for Novinky.cz.

STVR | New group in the European Parliament

July 09, 2024

MEPs from 14 right-leaning parties have joined the political group Patriots for Europe in the European Parliament. From the Czech Republic, they were joined by MEPs from the ANO movement and two MEPs from the Přísaha a Motoristé party. They could become the third strongest political group in the European Parliament. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this.

CNN Prima News | Elections in France and a new faction in the European Parliament

July 08, 2024

The early parliamentary elections in France were surprisingly won by the united left, defeating the far-right party of Marine Le Pen. On the European level, she is now expected to join the newly formed Patriots for Europe party in the European Parliament. Martin Vokálek, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for CNN Prima News.

Blesk.cz | What is happening to the EU?

July 02, 2024

The political helm of Europe is taking a new direction. And according to political analysts, not a favourable one. The results of the elections in France showed this, with the far right winning 37 seats and the left-wing coalition 32. What is more, since the weekend it has been known that a new faction is to be created in the European Parliament - one that is more focused on national interests. One of the three founders is the head of Czech ANO movement, Andrej Babiš. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of the Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for Blesk.cz.

TV Nova | Patriots for Europe recruiting new parties for political group status in the European Parliament

July 02, 2024

Andrej Babiš's dream of establishing a new political party in the European Parliament is coming true and it looks like the new grouping could shuffle the political cards. A number of strong parties have expressed interest in membership and it could happen that even the strongest far-right party could be formed. In addition to ANO movement MEPs two other from Přísaha a Motoristé sobě coalition could also join the party. Martin Vokálek, executive director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the formation and influence of the possible new group for the main evening broadcast on TV Nova.

TV Nova | The far right wins the first round of parliamentary elections in France

July 01, 2024

The far-right National Rally of Marine Le Pen wins the first round of the early parliamentary elections in France. The foreign media are talking about the end of the Macron era, but he is not giving up and has called on the French people to vote against the far right. Martin Vokálek, executive director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for TV Nova on what is driving voters to the far right and what the situation is in France.

Respekt | It's time to unite. Marine Le Pen is enticing the cooperation of the Italian Prime Minister

June 15, 2024

In France, final preparations for the July summer Olympic Games are underway, but according to surveys, less than half of the French believe the country can ensure a their smooth course. Confidence in current political leaders has also been undermined by the European elections, where the opposition scored a significant victory. The opposition far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen no longer wants to leave the EU; they want to influence it. However, they need allies for that. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office at EUROPEUM Institute, comments on this for Respekt magazine.

The Parliament Magazine | From military support to EU membership: What the new European Parliament means for Ukraine

June 19, 2024

The results of the European elections are favorable for Ukraine; the center-right European People's Party (EPP) won the most seats, thereby strengthening the position of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a strong supporter of Ukraine. On the other hand, while some groups to the right of the EPP also had successes, their support for Ukraine is mixed. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office of EUROPEUM Institute, commented the situation for The Parliament magazine.