Jan Macháček
Journalist Jan Macháček (b. 1965) writes for the Czech weekly Respekt and publishes an economics column in the daily Hospodářské Noviny. The winner of several journalism awards, he is also the author of Mistři světa amoleta. Průvodce globální krizí a českou politickou krajinou (“The World Champions: a guide to the global crisis and the Czech political landscape”).
Updated: 8 March 2012
Whether it be political, budgetary, or based on financial solidarity, the idea of a more integrated EU is in fashion. But just what final form would the Federal Union take in the end? Nobody really knows, and that’s the whole problem. 
In refusing to sign up to the fiscal compact, the Czech government explains that it has sought to defend freedom in the country, and highlights the example of Hungary which it claims has been unjustly treated by the EU. However, a Prague columnist argues that this regional alliance between conservative parties is paradoxical to say the least.