Viktor Orbán

What key things have happened in the EU this year? And what lessons should be learned for the future? Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office Žiga Faktor commented for Euractiv.cz podcast.

According to some commentaries, a new majority is emerging in the European Parliament outside the traditional block of the populists and socialists. Martin Vokálek, the executive director of EUROPEUM Institute, spoke to Rádio Prostor about the changes in the Parliament and also about what the new European Commission will look like.

What the new European Commission will look like is still unclear, it looks like it does not hold the agreement of the factions. While all the candidates for European Commissioners have passed the grillings, the situation surrounding the negotiations of the executive vice-presidents of the European Commission has become complicated. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, discusses the issue in a new episode of the podcast Europe for Czechs.

Robert Fico has been Slovakia's Prime Minister again for a little over a year. As premier, he pursues autocratic ambitions and maintains close contacts with Russia. Is the country on the same path as Hungary? Project manager Kristína Chlebáková from the EUROPEUM Institute commented for the Hannoversche Allgemeine.

Viktor Orbán has recently stirred controversy in the EU by allowing Russian and Belarusian citizens to enter Hungary without controls. This move, which simplifies their movement within the Schengen Area, has raised concerns about security threats and pressure on European states. What impact might Orbán's policy have on Europe's security, and how are EU institutions responding? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, discusses the situation for Deník N.

Brussels is boycotting Hungary's presidency due to Viktor Orbán, who during his tour of Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing claimed to be working for peace, even as his actions coincided with Russia's attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv. His mission was sharply criticized by European leaders, and the EU has distanced itself from his actions, with member states agreeing to boycott informal meetings in Hungary. Could Brussels take further measures? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for Respekt magazine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán took over the EU Council presidency less than a month ago, but he has already managed to provoke the EU institutions and most member states with his unauthorized "peace" mission to Russia and China. During this mission, he presented himself as a representative of the European Union, despite having no authority to do so. European politicians have responded to this situation with initial retaliatory measures. How will Viktor Orbán proceed? What strategies and tactics might the Hungarian Prime Minister use during his presidency? Oszkár Roginer-Hofmeister, a research fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this for e15.

Most European Union states have decided to boycott the Council meeting in Budapest. This decision is a reaction to Orbán's "peace mission", during which he met with Russian President Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and former US President Trump under the banner of the Hungarian presidency without any mandate from the EU. Will EU criticism slow Orbán down in his next steps? Can Hungary's presidency be revoked? Does EU foreign policy even need to be unified? The situation is commented on by Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.

Hungary may hold the EU presidency until the end of the year, but member state politicians plan to ignore meetings the country holds. This is in response to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's secret visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as an unscheduled call for a ceasefire issued to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Vít Havelka, a research fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the boycott for Hospodářské noviny.

The European Commission has announced that, in light of developments since the beginning of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, it plans to boycott informal ministerial meetings and send only senior officials instead of commissioners. Viktor Orbán has come under criticism for his recent trip to Russia, which he described as a peace mission aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and which he did not consult with the leaders of other EU states. This move comments Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute for Czech Radio.

The new group in the European Parliament, Patriots for Europe, is about to hold its inaugural meeting. They need 23 MEPs from at least seven EU member states. So far, it looks like they will meet that requirement. Comments Viktor Daňek, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.

The European Parliament elections held from June 6th till 9th not only introduced a new lineup of MEPs but also brought significant changes in the distribution of seats among various countries. The European Union is gearing up for new challenges with its new leadership, and Hungary will assume the presidency in July. How will the European institutions transform, and what priorities will dominate over the next five years? Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Czech Television.