Europeum

Hospodářské noviny | Fiala asked for the strongest portfolio for Síkela, but the Socialists are in the way

September 12, 2024

Petr, business or defense? This was the question posed to Prime Minister Petr Fiala by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Fiala replied that he wanted trade. Filip Křenek, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

ČT24 | Síkela could be EU Trade Commissioner

September 09, 2024

Ursula von der Leyen will present the new EU Commissioners list on Wednesday 18 September. The President of the European Commission may come with a new portfolio that has not been there before. Until then it is not sure what portfolio will Jozef Síkela get. Whether it would be the wanted trade discussed Žiga Faktor, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute and head of the Brussels office, live on ČT24.

Blesk.cz | Síkela could head the energy sector in Brussels, but there is no joy in Prague now

September 05, 2024

It looked like a real victory by the Czech EU negotiators. At least the German Die Welt presented it almost as a fait accompli that the influential post of EU Energy Commissioner was to be taken by the Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela. For Blesk daily commented Deputy Director and head of Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute Žiga Faktor.

Seznam Zprávy | The future of Síkela will be decided by von der Leyen

September 09, 2024

Commission President von der Leyen will announce the distribution of the portfolios for the European Commissioners soon. According to speculations, Jozef Síkela could get Energy portfolio, the trade area is also in play. But it could still change. Deputy Director at EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented for Seznam Zprávy.

TN.cz | New Commissioner Síkela. Big budget, less influence

September 17, 2024

Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela has been appointed Commissioner for International Partnerships at the European Commission. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on TN Live whether this is a win or a loss.

Hospodářské noviny | Síkela is supposed to look after the ambitious but criticized Global Gateway project for the EU. What awaits him?

September 19, 2024

The new composition of the European Commission and the distribution of portfolios caused puzzlement in Prague. The head of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, entrusted Jozef Síkela with the agenda of International Partnership and Global Gateway – a name that, apart from a handful of insiders in the Czech Republic, few people have heard of, instead of the long-talked about energy sector or international trade. EUROPEUM Institute analyst Zuzana Krulichová commented for Hospodářské noviny.

Aktuálně.cz | A surprising portfolio "swap". The French could have played a role, says expert on Síkela

September 17, 2024

Despite previous speculation, the Czech candidate for the new European Commission and current Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela will be put in charge of the International Partnership portfolio by Ursula von der Leyen. The government sees this as a "mission accomplished", but the opposition as a failure. Experts are not sure whether this is a success for the Czech Republic. Why the Trade portfolio eventually went to Slovakia? Filip Křenek, project coordinator and analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Aktuálně.cz.

Seznam Zprávy | Síkela's portfolio is a loss for the Czech Republic, says analyst

September 17, 2024

Instead of trade or energy, the current Minister of Industry and Trade, Jozef Síkela, will eventually be put in charge of International Partnerships in the European Commission. According to the opposition, this is a failure of the domestic government, but the Prime Minister and other leaders of the five-coalition praise Síkela's portfolio. So how did the distribution of the seats of the European Commissioners work out for the Czech Republic? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for podcast 5:59 of Seznam Zprávy.

Česká justice | What will Síkela be responsible for in the Commission?

September 18, 2024

Disappointment with the negotiations and the weak position of the Czech Republic was voiced when the new composition of the European Commission was announced. The presentation of the post to the Czech nominee Jozef Síkela is accompanied by a debate on how influential the position of Commissioner for International Partnerships is. Experts say that although the government had bigger expectations, much can be achieved even with the portfolio at hand. The current Trade and Industry Minister could help the EU to be a counterweight to Russian and Chinese influence in emerging economies, and could also push for greater raw material security. For daily Česká justice commented Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.

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.