elections

The Dutch parliamentary election ended with a narrow victory for the liberal D66 over Geert Wilders’ anti-immigration PVV. While D66 gained significant ground, PVV lost seats and mainstream parties continue to rule out cooperation with Wilders. Coalition talks are expected to be difficult and lengthy, but the next government is likely to maintain the Netherlands’ traditionally pro-EU and pro-NATO stance. The article was commented on by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office at EUROPEUM.

The election victory of Andrej Babiš's movement in the Czech Republic sparked a wave of congratulations from Budapest, Bratislava, Italy, and the French far right. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called it "a big step for the Czech Republic and good news for Europe." But what does this "good news" really mean for the European Union? Martin Vokálek, executive director and head of the Brussels office of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for LRT.

Andrej Babiš’s victory could raise concerns in Brussels, but analysts believe the outcome will depend on his future cabinet. Despite his alliance with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Babiš is viewed as a pragmatist rather than a hardline eurosceptic, making a sharp turn in Czech foreign policy unlikely. Martin Vokálek, executive director and head of the Brussels office of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this for European Newsroom.

According to Brussels analysts, Andrej Babiš's victory would not be a positive sign for the EU, but the nature of his cabinet will be decisive. Although he is compared to Viktor Orbán, experts describe him as a pragmatist rather than a radical Eurosceptic, which suggests that Czech foreign policy may not undergo a fundamental change. Martin Vokálek, executive director and head of the Brussels office of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this for České Noviny.

Despite controversy, former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš still has a chance to return to the head of the government. According to critics, this could push the Czech Republic towards an authoritarian model based on the Hungarian example. There are even concerns that the country could question its membership in NATO and the European Union. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Web.DE.

The Czech parliamentary elections may be dominated by the movement of former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. One of his main promises is to end the program that enabled Ukraine to obtain millions of artillery shells. The question remains whether he would actually push through this plan if he wins the election. Martin Vokálek, executive director and head of the Brussels office of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Forbes Ukraine.

Moldova stands at a pivotal crossroads as it approaches its September 2025 parliamentary elections, with the outcome set to shape the country’s orientation between deepening ties with the European Union or succumbing to the pro-Russian, Eurosceptic forces. The political struggle is unfolding not only in official arenas but also across the landscape of digital media. How are online platforms shaping public debate? What impact might external information campaigns have on Moldova’s political future? Discover the answers in the full article by Anya Brown, a research assistant at EUROPEUM Institute.

As part of their election campaign, Czech populist parties are once again raising the issue of the Czech Republic leaving the European Union and NATO — and proposing to hold a referendum on the matter. Opinions clash against a backdrop of growing dissatisfaction with traditional institutions and mounting concerns about sovereignty and security. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for TVP World.

The new Polish president has officially taken the oath of office. This June, Karol Nawrocki won the presidential election against liberal candidate Rafał Trzaskowski, confirming the deep political polarization in Poland. The development was commented on for TN Live by Viktor Daněk, Deputy Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute.

The extension of emission allowances may be one of the main issues of the autumn campaign. Viktor Daněk, deputy executive director of the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, commented on it for Deník N's podcast Vrtěti psem - where did this EU change come from, why is it important and who bears political responsibility for it?

The results of the presidential elections in Romania and Poland and their impact on the EU were commented on for ČT24 by Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of the EUROPEUM Institute.

Hungary is facing elections in a year's time and pre-election polls predict that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party could end up in opposition. "Orbán has the lowest support since 2010 and he realises it. With his actions against the opposition, LGBT and others, he is trying to keep the conservative core of his voters," said Oszkár Roginer-Hofmeister, a Hungarian analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute, in an interview with iROZHLAS.cz.