EU

In the new Babiš government, European policy will be moved directly under the prime minister, reducing the influence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, the Permanent Representation in Brussels will remain essential, especially through close cooperation with the Government’s Section for European Affairs. Key personnel decisions are still being negotiated, including who will serve as the prime minister’s chief coordinator, or “sherpa,” for EU matters. The article was commented on by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office at EUROPEUM.

With six months to go until the 2026 Hungarian parliamentary elections, the political landscape is entering a decisive period. The emerging conservative Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, continues to challenge the long-standing rule of Viktor Orbán and Fidesz, maintaining strong polling numbers. While Tisza has been effective in shaping the political agenda, Fidesz is attempting to counter with an intensified media strategy and its traditional “enemy-focused” narrative. Support for both sides appears to be stabilizing, leaving the outcome uncertain as the campaign accelerates ahead of April’s vote. The article was written by Yusuke Ishikawa, a non-resident fellow at EUROPEUM.

A series of six evening meetings during the fall of 2025 (in the week beginning November 10) will allow students to discuss a wide range of topics with experts from among current and former Brussels officials, ambassadors, Czech and European political experts and decision-makers, journalists, and commentators.

The world is pouring huge amounts of money into reducing emissions, yet most countries still fail to meet the Paris Agreement, and global warming continues. While some emissions have plateaued, climate-related damages are rising, and the “free-rider” problem persists as states benefit from inaction. Geopolitical factors, especially the shifting climate policies of China and the United States, further complicate progress. For Seznam Zprávy, the article was commented on by Filip Křenek, analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

The EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy invites you to a public discussion on the future of transatlantic relations and Europe’s role in a rapidly changing global environment. Join us as leading experts explore how shifting U.S. priorities are reshaping cooperation and what this means for Europe, including Central and Eastern European partners.

And here it is – the second edition of our EuroLens journal! Building on the success of the first issue, this new edition once again offers interviews with experts, commentaries, and articles on both political and non-political topics. You will also find an overview of upcoming events, conferences, and much more. We hope it will serve as an interesting and inspiring source of information and support your work.

Czechia plans to request a full exemption from solidarity contributions under the EU migration pact after being classified as a country facing a “significant migration situation.” According to Martin Vokálek, the country is likely to obtain the exemption due to the high number of Ukrainian refugees it hosts. EU member states will make the final decision at the December summit. The article was commented on by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office at EUROPEUM.

EU environment ministers approved new climate targets for 2040 and postponed the ETS2 system by one year. Andrej Babiš criticized the agreement as a failure of the Czech government, warning of higher costs, while experts argue the impact on households remains largely unchanged. Analyst Filip Křenek notes that catastrophic price scenarios are unlikely and that rejecting ETS2 could leave Czechia facing heavy EU penalties and the loss of billions from the Social Climate Fund. Commented for eXtra.cz by Filip Křenek, analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

The transatlantic relationship is entering a pivotal moment. With the United States turning inward, global rivalries intensifying, and trust across the Atlantic under strain, Europe faces growing pressure to rethink its approach to security, energy, and technology. This paper explores where transatlantic cooperation continues to thrive, where it is weakening, and how Europe can translate strategic ambition into tangible action—before the next crisis tests the resilience of the alliance. An insightful read for anyone engaged in global policy and transatlantic affairs.

EU environment ministers agreed to postpone the introduction of the ETS2 emissions trading system to 2028. While some states frame this as a victory, experts warn the delay will cause confusion and slow down essential green-transition investments. The Czech Republic also risks EU penalties or losing access to the Social Climate Fund if it refuses to implement ETS2 fully. Commented by Rebeka Hengalová, Research Fellow at the EUROPEUM Institute.

The EUROPEUM Institute invites you to a panel discussion focusing on Ukraine’s reform efforts on its path toward EU membership, the experiences the Czech Republic can share from its own accession process, and how Ukraine’s potential accession could impact the European Union itself.

The Project centres around the fast development of platform work in the Western Balkans and the EU. This new phenomenon has witnessed fast growth since the pandemic, particularly with digital platforms like “Upwork”.