Heinrich Böll Stiftung | Prague Office - Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary

DOSSIER | COP-29: UN Climate Change Conference

The annual COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the primary multilateral forum for international climate policy. Here, the 198 signatory states negotiate agreements and assess progress in addressing the climate crisis. We provide an overview of past conferences and the current COP.

DOSSIER | The US elections 2024

The election result in the USA will have far-reaching, international consequences. What will the result mean for transatlantic relations, Europe's security architecture, and international efforts on climate action? The Heinrich Böll Foundation delves into these critical questions from a Green and European perspective, offering analyses and insights into the challenges and opportunities of the post-election landscape.

Events

26

February

Germany has voted: What next for Europe?

Online discussion Wednesday, 26. February 2025

Assessing the European consequences of Germany’s political shift

Past events

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Don’t miss upcoming events and publications

Job vacancy

Latest Articles

Criticality and the Securitization of Southeast Asia’s Indigenous Mineral Resources

Article

Southeast Asia’s geographical location is blessed with abundant natural resources – minerals, forests, and wildlife. For hundreds of years, these resources have been a source of livelihood and even life for Indigenous peoples, as well as local communities. However, the capitalist perspective of development is rapidly encroaching on the mineral-rich lands of these peoples.

Viktor Orban, November 2024, Informal meeting of heads of state or government

The rebel presidency

Commentary

From July 1 to December 31, 2024, Hungary held the presidency of the EU Council. The presidency underscored Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's foreign policy approach: a clear separation between communication and day-to-day operations. Despite growing tensions between Orbán and EU leaders, as well as unresolved disputes with key EU institutions, the Hungarian presidency has done its work accordingly in the second half of 2024.

By Péter Magyari

2024.06.27-28 Bruksela, Belgia | Szczyt Rady Europejskiej

Poland’s EU Council Presidency - What to Expect?

Poland takes on the EU Council Presidency in January 2025. What does this role mean, and what challenges lie ahead? Our latest article explores the key context and what to expect during this pivotal six-month period.

Articles by topic

Democracy

Kolektiv A.S.A.P. (Abortion Support Alliance Prague)

Discriminatory Czech abortion law should change - interview with A.S.A.P. collective

Interview

Although abortion is legal in the Czech Republic, it is not accessible to everyone. Half of Czech hospitals would not provide the procedure to citizens of other EU Member States, according to a new survey. People living with disabilities or low incomes also face obstacles, says Rafał Szwajkowski of the A.S.A.P. (Abortion Support Alliance Prague) collective.

By Kateřina Boťová

“Democracy cannot 'do the magic' and protect itself”

Interview

As part of an EU Democracy research project funded by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union office, Sophie Pornschlegel interviewed European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, during the summer break of the European Commission. In their conversation, Vice-President Jourová reflected on five years of efforts to safeguard democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the EU, amid increasing threats against democracy and a shifting geopolitical context, not least due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

By Sophie Pornschlegel and Věra Jourová

Further articles

Ecology

The Czech Republic is behind on developing wind power, we need an urgent change

Analysis

The development of wind power is being prevented primarily for economic and political reasons even though the potential for producing cheap, clean power from wind in the Czech Republic is enormous. We can look to Austria and Poland for examples.

By Matěj Moravanský

Ekologická katastrofa, odlesňování na Žilinském a Presovském. Pokácené borovice

Swift retreat from democracy: How the new Slovakian Government ruins environmental protection and civil society

Commentary

Following last year’s September elections in Slovakia, we are witnessing a textbook example of the breakdown of democratic principles. For the fourth time, the position of Prime Minister has been filled by Robert Fico, whose party SMER (Direction) has formed a coalition with Hlas (Voice), a party that broke away from SMER, and the nationalist Slovenská národná strana (Slovak National Party). We cannot base our expectations of the current Government on Fico’s previous terms in office, though. While in the past Fico was leaning toward the EU and wanted to be part of its core, during the COVID-19 pandemic his stance turned quite anti-European and hateful.

By Lucia Szabová

Further articles

Foreign and Security Policy

Volodymyr Zelenský a Roberta Metsolaová, vlajka EU

Slovakia: When it comes to Ukraine's EU accession, politicians reach a surprising consensus, while only two parties are willing to discuss the right of veto

Analysis

The major points of friction in foreign policy can be observed when it comes to the issue of military support for Ukraine and keeping of the veto right. Other timely topics that are almost completely absent from the parties' manifestos include, for example, the war in the Gaza Strip or relations with China.

By Natália Silenská

"Elections in Slovakia: Fico is dangerous, but he knows the power of social protest"

Interview

With the return of former Prime Minister Fico, old authoritarian patterns could resurface in the upcoming elections. However, progressives also have a chance to win.

By Jan Philipp Albrecht

Further articles

This report reviews climate security literature, identifies key players, and analyzes case studies. It highlights actors' needs in different contexts and offers recommendations for global, regional, and local engagement, with a focus on the global South.

pdf

Illiberal advance, but no breakthrough – yet?

Study

Political Capital's study on the state of the populist radical right and Hungarian influence building, in cooperation with the Heinrich-Böll Foundation, aims to take stock of the "super election year" of 2024: how it has reshaped the scene for illiberal populist actors, and what it has brought to the Orbán regime in its efforts to build international influence and promote itself as a model of populism on the international stage.

pdf

Energy Communities and the Legacy of Post-Socialism

The energy and climate crisis is real, and the big fossil fuel companies are dictating the rules of the game. Global warming and Russia's aggression in Ukraine have accelerated the search for safer, cheaper, and greener energy. One option is energy provided by energy communities. In post-communist countries, however, cooperatives have a distinctly negative connotation. The belief that energy should come from big government agencies or fossil fuel companies has created a perception that energy prices are beyond our control. But is this statement true? We explore this and many other questions in the following report.

pdf

Further Publications