Articles

EUROPEUM and JustGreen project invite you to join us for a dynamic discussion bringing together researchers from across the V4 region to explore one of today’s most pressing questions: How do national housing renovation plans match up with reality—and what must change for them to succeed?

Labubus, with their naughty smiles, have stolen their way into most homes with kids, but their colorful furs hold a sinister secret. They are the newest presentation of a Chinese soft power takeover. With the US clogging up its channels of influence, we had better prepare for a wave of Chinafication. Soft power is marked by the promotion of positive values.

According to Yalom, the experience of loss is present in almost every decision we make, as saying yes to one thing simultaneously means saying no to another. This tension manifests in everyday situations, such as when choosing one scoop of ice cream from a vast selection. Many rely on familiar routines, others seek the healthiest or newest flavors, and some conform to the preferences of their social group or family.

What are the polls telling us about the forthcoming October election in the Czech Republic? Will Andrej Babiš come back to power? What are some of the issues and scandals that dominate the political debate ahead of the election? And what will be the Czech position on Ukraine, the NATO, and security under the new government? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Martin Ehl, a journalist and writer, a reporter of Czech economic daily Hospodářské noviny (hn.cz).

The government’s migration strategy is disappointing. The long-awaited comprehensive document turns out to be a brief collection of short statements lacking deeper analysis. However, one can hope that this document is merely a starting point for a broader debate on a genuine migration strategy, which will soon be presented. This communication outlines three potential opportunities and three key risks that may arise from the proposed approach.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s and Minister Andrzej Domański’s speech at the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) has generated significant attention in the media. Using bold historical comparisons, the Prime Minister presented a bright vision of Poland surpassing Western countries in living standards. The key to achieving this goal, he argued, lies in investment.

Karol Nawrocki has been the President of Poland since 6 August 2025. During the election campaign, the president-elect made it clear that he would not support government bills aimed at restoring constitutional order in the judiciary — including those concerning the status of so-called “neo-judges” or repairing the Constitutional Tribunal.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski recently announced plans to introduce a digital tax in Poland on the revenues or profits of big tech corporations operating in the country.¹ The funds raised would be used to subsidize the development of Polish companies and start-ups in the digital technology sector and media.

Despite the increasing international prominence of mayors and municipal networks, local governments across Europe face numerous challenges. In the UK, local councils lack the resources to fulfill their extensive responsibilities, while in France, attempts at decentralization have been hindered by a lack of clarity over the distribution of responsibilities and a relatively high degree of central government interference.

What game is President Donald Trump playing with Vladimir Putin? Is peace in Ukraine attainable? And what is the role of the EU in the negotiations, if any? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Piotr Buras, the Head of ECFR\'s Warsaw office and a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.