European Union

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.

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 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.

EU leaders postponed a decision on the reparations loan for Ukraine until the December summit, as Slovak PM Robert Fico’s stance may complicate negotiations. While a new sanctions package against Russia was approved, discussions on funding remain unresolved. Commented by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.

The interview discusses criticism of Prime Minister Robert Fico’s negotiation tactics regarding EU sanctions and summit conclusions, arguing that his last-minute blocking approach undermines Slovakia’s standing in the EU. The text also explains the importance of European Council conclusions and how Fico’s strategy is viewed in Brussels. Commented by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.

The European Commission has presented its proposal for the EU's multiannual budget for 2028–2034, which it describes as ambitious. However, a closer look reveals that its actual form is more modest than grandiose. The new budget brings changes in structure and priorities that may have a significant impact on Czechia, as explained by EUROPEUM Institute analyst Filip Křenek in the Europe Up Close podcast.

Negotiations on the new multiannual EU budget for 2028–2034 are beginning. However, the European Commission’s summer proposal has faced criticism from various sides. What major changes might the new budget bring? Will it be good or bad news for the Czech Republic? And what should the country prepare for as the new budget comes into effect? Analyst Filip Křenek from the EUROPEUM think tank discusses these questions in the podcast Europe Up Close.

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.

Almost a decade has passed since the Brexit referendum, but the UK is still grappling with the consequences of its departure from the EU. Touted by the likes of Nigel Farage as a glorious ‘independence day’, Brexit was supposed to unleash a ‘Global Britain’ – a great trading nation free to pursue a revitalised ‘special relationship’ with the US, amongst other goals. However, the confluence of factors that pushed 52% of voters to choose Leave in June 2016 belongs to a geopolitical reality that no longer exists. Read the full blog by Imogen Wymer below!