European Commission

The Czech candidate for EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela succeeded in the so-called grilling before MEPs, which every nominated member of the EU executive must pass. He has won the support of a two-thirds majority of DEVE to become Commissioner for International Partnerships. The former trade and industry minister wants to strengthen partnerships with Africa and Latin America and intends to tackle the drivers of illegal migration. Viktor Daněk, deputy director at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČT24.

MEPs often complain that the media do not give their work the attention it deserves. Yet now, when they are 'grilling' the various candidates for European Commissioner and have the opportunity to reject some of them, they have timed these hearings to clash with the election of the US President. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of the EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

Jozef Síkela made a good impression at the hearing for the post of EU Commissioner for International Partnerships and Global Gateway in Brussels. MEPs and experts gave him a positive assessment. Zuzana Krulichová, researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for iDnes.cz.

Monday's „grilling“ by MEPs of Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Greece's candidate for European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, showed that the European car industry will not get support from him to postpone the emission targets for next year. Tzitzikostas also wants to maintain the line of banning the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles from 2035. Filip Křenek, project coordinator and analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Ekonomický deník.

On Monday, the European Parliament will hold the first hearings with the candidates for the new European Commissioners. Jozef Síkela will appear before MEPs on Wednesday. If all the candidates are successful, the new European Commission could be operational from 1st December. Martin Vokálek, executive director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČT24.

At the summit in Brussels, the European Union heads of state and government agreed to speed up the return of failed asylum seekers back to their countries. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Radio Prostor.

As the dust settles after a hectic period of post-election negotiations, Von der Leyen’s second Commission is faced with serious economic challenges. Recent reports of Draghi and Letta have clearly indicated that the EU is lagging behind other global powers in the areas of growth and competitiveness and this is reflected in the composition of the College as well as within strategic priorities for the next political cycle. Come listen and debate about challenges EU is facing!

The story of the assignment of the international partnership agenda to Czech EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela, which ended in disappointment for many, teaches one lesson that will be hard to digest in government circles: the Czech Republic still does not know how to play high Brussels politics and it will not get better. Deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented for deník Právo.

The European Commission opens a debate on aviation support in the coming years. The new rules should start to apply after 2027. In particular, the guidelines are intended to minimize negative effects on competition and aim to preserve connectivity. Project coordinator and analyst at EUROPEUM Institute Filip Křenek commented for Ekonomický deník.

How strong a portfolio has Jozef Síkela acquired as Commissioner for International Partnerships? What exactly does he expect and what will be part of his portfolio? Project Coordinator and Analyst at EUROPEUM Institute Filip Křenek commented for TV Noe.

Europe has a problem compared to other large economies in the world. It is lagging behind. What to do about it? The new European Commission has changed priorities compared to the previous one - more on the economy, less on the climate. How does this suit the Czech Republic and how should it approach it? Deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented for podcast Ranní brífink of Hospodářské noviny.

According to the European Commission, the Czech Republic is not complying with EU legislation on combating racial and ethnic discrimination. Brussels has therefore initiated infringement proceedings. It claims that the Czech Republic is not effectively addressing the problem of segregation of Roma children in schools. Deputy director at EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented for Český rozhlas.