Martin Ehl
Martin Ehl is a political analyst and senior editor of the international section of the Czech business daily Hospodářské Noviny. The author of books on globalization, Central Europe, and the Balkans, he also hosts a blog on the Ihned.cz website.
Updated: 2 October 2009
Cold-shouldered in Europe, the government of Hungary has launched an “Eastern opening” policy in an attempt to find new allies in Asia. As part of its efforts, it shows little hesitation in dusting off the mythological ideology of the Hungarian fascists. And that is bringing it nearer to the extremist Jobbik party, notes a Czech journalist. 
The Greek crisis and the lack of assertive action by European leaders has ended up clouding the greatest challenge to the future of the EU. The USA has the knack of finding effective solutions, and it is time to be inspired by the same spirit, argues a Czech columnist. 
In launching an anti-immigrant website, the Dutch populist has once again issued a provocation in bad taste. But the good news is that it encourages us to examine the relationship between Europeans from two parts of the continent, writes a Czech columnist. 
Nothing better than an enemy to forge a common identity. But the adage of the nineteenth century doesn’t quite fit the current crisis. Only by changing their relationship to power can Europeans unite and overcome the crisis, says a Czech editorialist. 
Notwithstanding the crisis, Estonia will almost certainly be the next state to join the eurozone in January 2011. In a bid to understand the secret of its success, Czech daily Hospodářské noviny examines the country's social and economic model. 
Jobs, government, infrastructure: in the wake of 1989, the countries of the former communist block had to re-invent themselves. As Czech daily Hospodářské Noviny notes, the different strategies they chose resulted in some initiatives that were well-prepared and some that were wholly unsavoury. 
The Czech Republic, like Poland, has yet to ratify the Lisbon Treaty, which is being blocked by President Václav Klaus. Hospodářské Noviny deplores the lack of proper debate in Prague, which has left the citizens of the Czech Republic in the dark on an issue that is better understood in neighbouring Poland.