About: Czech Republic
Czech PM probe damages country and EU, MEP Grassle says
The ongoing investigation into Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s possible conflict of interest damages the Czech Republic and harms the EU as well, MEP Ingeborg Grässle said, revealing that the inquest has almost drawn to a conclusion. EURACTIV.cz's media partner Aktuálně.cz reports.
Billionaire Czech PM faces more legal trouble over use of EU funds
Billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš faced renewed pressure over his business dealings on Saturday (1 December) after an EU legal document said he has a conflict of interest due to links to agribusiness companies that received European funds.
ECR puts forward Czech MEP as their Spitzenkandidat nominee
Czech MEP Jan Zahradil will be the lead candidate of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) to run for the presidency of the next European Commission, party chief Syed Kamall announced on Tuesday (13 October).
Czech PM wants to leave global migration pact
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Thursday (1 November) he wanted to pull the Czech Republic out of a United Nations migration deal and would discuss this with his governing coalition partner, news website idnes.cz reported.
Macron warns Visegrad Four not to leave EU values behind
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday (26 October) warned eastern EU members not to fall out of step with the bloc's principles, singling out Hungary and Poland whose nationalist governments have clashed with Brussels.
Poland, Czech Republic against EU border guard plan
Poland's premier on Monday (15 October) said he and his Czech counterpart oppose a plan to bolster the European Union's external borders, fearing they would receive less infrastructure funding if the scheme goes ahead.
Czech president defends assertion that most Roma don’t work
The Czech president refused on Sunday (7 October) to back down from comments slamming what he called a 90% unemployment rate among the country's Roma, earning a rebuke from campaigners and rights activists.
The awkward squad: Czech-Polish cooperation on a different EU vision
Stay in the EU or leave? According to experts, for Poland and the Czech Republic, it is important to remain in the EU, despite widespread Euroscepticism in both countries.
Czech, Slovak premiers bristle at beefing up of Frontex
The European Union should steer funds to individual member countries to help them guard their own borders against illegal migration, rather than emphasise funding for Frontex, the common EU border force, the Czech and Slovak premiers said on Monday (17 September).
MEPs put pressure on Commission to take position on Czech PM fraud case
MEPs have urged the European Commission to investigate Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš for possible conflicts of interest involving EU funds, after being persuaded by the Czech branch of Transparency International and the Czech Pirate Party.
Mega infrastructure projects win over clean energy in Visegrad Four
In the Visegrad countries, decision makers prefer their historical favourites – coal and nuclear – to renewable sources and energy efficiency. As the Global Climate Action Summit resumes in San Francisco, it’s important to realise that corporate leadership can also shape the outlook for clean energy in Eastern Europe, writes Ada Ámon.
Czech MEPs downplay V4 role in EU’s migration policy change
The EU is finally heading the way we are proposing in terms of migration policy, the Visegrád Group countries say. But two Czech MEPs point out that the V4’s contribution to the change may be limited and other factors should be considered as well.
Czechs protest against government 50 years after Soviet-led invasion
Czechs and Slovaks on Tuesday (20 August) marked 50 years since Soviet tanks crushed the "Prague Spring" democratic reform drive, as protesters used the anniversary to rail against the current Czech government's ties to the Communist Party.
Czech diplomats secure release of two NGO workers in Syria
The Czech Republic has negotiated the release of two workers for a German humanitarian group in Syria, the Czech and German foreign ministries said on Thursday (9 August).
Czech farmers most affected by CAP budget cuts, warns agri-expert
Cuts to post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds will severely affect the Czech Republic, according to agriculture analyst Petr Havel who spoke to EURACTIV Czech Republic’s media partner, Aktualne.cz.
Bannon’s attempt to bring ‘Trumpism’ to Brussels
Steve Bannon, former aide and political guru to US President Donald Trump, has a new mission: he wants to unite right-wing and populist parties in the European Union.
Analyst: Visegrád Group’s anti-European course is anti-Ukrainian
Relations between the Visegrád countries and Ukraine have deteriorated in recent years. But from the point of view of ordinary Ukrainian citizens, Central and Eastern Europe is still a very attractive model, especially in the economic sense, analyst Kateryna Zarembo told EURACTIV.pl.
In Central Europe, activists fight for ‘just transition’ away from coal
As Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic start phasing out coal, campaigners argue that all actors – including small entrepreneurs, communities and civil society – must be part of the process.
Czech PM flatly rejects EU post-Brexit budget proposal
Czech billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babiš yesterday (18 June) rejected the European Commission's multi-year draft budget as "completely unacceptable", lashing out at spending priorities imposed by Brussels.
Waste in the Visegrad Four: Poland leading the way
Despite progress in recent years, local circular economy efforts in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are still plagued by inefficient management, cheap landfilling and problematic reporting. EURACTIV's network reports.
Commission proposes more spending on Italy and south, less on Visegrad Four
The European Union's executive proposed on Tuesday (29 May) to spend more of the bloc's money on Italy and other southern states hit by the economic and migration crises, while giving less to the Visegrad Four countries refusing to accept refugees.
Czech farmers clash over proposed CAP subsidies capping
The European Commission’s proposal to cap agricultural payments and provide more support for small farms has divided farmers in the Czech Republic. But there are other issues they should focus on, such as the ageing rural population and the challenges of modern technologies. EURACTIV.cz reports.
Israel, US Jerusalem festivities uncover EU rift
US President Donald Trump succeeded in dividing EU nations ahead of today’s (14 May) opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem.