Visegrad politicians diverge on support for Von der Leyen’s second term
- Category: Articles
Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and Czechia express varied levels of support and opposition towards Ursula von der Leyen’s potential second term as the President of the European Commission. While Hungary and Slovakia voice strong criticism and unlikely backing, Poland shows a split stance within its political parties, and Czechia remains ambivalent but focused on securing influential portfolios within the EU.
Written by Richárd Demény (Political Capital), Barbara Zmušková (Euractiv.sk), Aleksandra Krzysztoszek and Krzysztof Ryncarz (Euractiv.pl), Kateřina Horáková (Euractiv Czechia)
The Evolving Interests of the Visegrad Four in the Next European Union Mandate
- Category: Articles
The Visegrad Four (V4), comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, have long been united by geographical proximity and shared historical experiences. However, the panel discussion featuring experts and politicians from the V4 countries reveals a complex and evolving landscape of interests as the European Union (EU) enters its next mandate.
Is Hungary really a champion in fighting climate change? Not really
- Category: National Policy Reports
According to the government's self-assessment, Hungary is doing well in the fight against climate change, and there is no overt denial of climate change in the government's rhetoric. However, the positive self-assessment of the government's actions is in striking contrast to the assessment of experts and the relevant statistical data. In a comprehensive study of climate change skepticism, Political Capital looked at public opinion data, media articles and a small number of expert interviews, and coined the term climate relativism, which does not deny climate change or human responsibility, but questions and trivializes the seriousness of the problems associated with it. Climate relativism dominates both discourse and government action.
Written by Ráchel Surányi, Political Capital
Fico’s government reopening ties with Russia leaves Slovakia vulnerable to hybrid threats, joining Orbán’s Hungary
- Category: Articles
As NATO warns of rising numbers of Russia's hybrid acts and EU sanctions pro-Kremlin websites, two out of four Visegrad countries seem to be loosening their caution towards foreign threats, creating more space for them in the process.
Fidesz could make or break the ECR's move towards the European mainstream
- Category: Articles
As the populist radical right-wing parties of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament gain momentum before the June elections, their efforts to move towards the center and cooperate with the mainstream could be disrupted by Fidesz's effort to join the group. At the same time, the parties in the Visegrad countries could make or break Fidesz's bid to join the ECR, as they see Russia's war against Ukraine very differently from Fidesz.
Visegrad Group not convinced by new EU climate targets
- Category: Articles
In February this year the European Commission presented new EU targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. How do the Visegrad Group countries assess the Commission's proposal?
Competing for the third place
- Category: National Policy Reports
Will there be a radical right turn in Europe that will bring Viktor Orbán and his allies to power? – this is how many are framing the stakes of the European Parliament elections in June. And yet, according to forecasts, Eurosceptic formations will win at most a quarter of the seats. This is hardly enough to turn Europe upside down, but their influence will grow. Together with Fidesz possibly joining a radical right political group in the new parliament, this could significantly impact the balance of power in Brussels and the future of the European project.
Is a détente between Hungary and Ukraine possible?
- Category: National Policy Reports
Apart from the Kremlin, everyone is interested in improving the Hungarian-Ukrainian relations that have deteriorated since 2017. Ukraine is open to a rapprochement as it needs Hungary’s support in the Western alliance system, while the Orbán government needs to reduce its international isolation. Thus, in the next six months, we will see what is more important for Orbán: Hungary’s relationship with and position in the West or its cordial relationship with the Kremlin.
Slovakia's automotive industry transformation lags behind V4, here's why
- Category: National Policy Reports
Slovakia falls behind in attracting high-quality investments into the sector and in registering new electric vehicles, new study confirms. One of the biggest challenges of greening the automotive sector is the increasing demand for highly skilled employees, which the education system has so far failed to respond to.
Popular economist Nerudová a frontrunner to become the next Czech EU Commissioner
- Category: National Policy Reports
The unsuccessful presidential candidate Danuše Nerudová has probably the best chance of becoming the next Czech EU Commissioner. However, in the Czech Republic, it has always been a habit to select a new member of the European Commission at the last minute and without a conceptual approach.
Unanimity in EU decision making? Czech debate is breaking from the deadlock
- Category: National Policy Reports
In Czechia, the debate over the abandonment of the unanimity principle in some EU policy areas opened recently – particularly in the light of war in Ukraine and vision of EU enlargement.
NGOs appeal to politicians on wind turbines
- Category: National Policy Reports
As “turbinegate” shook the Polish politics, 42 green NGOs appeal to the new ruling majority for “urgent adopting a bill allowing the development of wind energy in a way that is safe for both people and the environment.”
