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 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.
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.
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.
Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen described the agreement as "historic" and vital given the geopolitical turmoil.
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This development appears to end hopes that gas transiting via Ukraine could continue to flow after 31 December, when a long-term gas transit contract between Moscow and Kyiv ends.
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Trump's demand to lift the debt ceiling was resoundingly rejected by the House -- including 38 Republicans. Previous fights over the debt ceiling have spooked financial markets.
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