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CEA Talk

Central European Affairs Magazine

17 episodes

12 hours ago

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál is joined by Martin Pánek, Director of the Liberal Institute in Prague, to discuss what Andrej Babiš’s political comeback means for Czechia and Europe. From coalition tensions in Prague to the future of the Visegrád Group, EU relations, and regional competitiveness, the conversation explores whether Babiš’s return signals a new era of Central European populism or just another turn in a familiar political cycle. 🎧 Tune in to CEA Talk — where Ce...

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News Commentary,

Social Sciences

All content for CEA Talk is the property of Central European Affairs Magazine and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál is joined by Martin Pánek, Director of the Liberal Institute in Prague, to discuss what Andrej Babiš’s political comeback means for Czechia and Europe. From coalition tensions in Prague to the future of the Visegrád Group, EU relations, and regional competitiveness, the conversation explores whether Babiš’s return signals a new era of Central European populism or just another turn in a familiar political cycle. 🎧 Tune in to CEA Talk — where Ce...

Show more...

News Commentary,

Social Sciences

Episodes (17/17)

CEA Talk

#67 Pánek: Czechia’s Crossroads — What Babiš’s Return Means for Europe | Hosted by Szilard Szelpal

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál is joined by Martin Pánek, Director of the Liberal Institute in Prague, to discuss what Andrej Babiš’s political comeback means for Czechia and Europe. From coalition tensions in Prague to the future of the Visegrád Group, EU relations, and regional competitiveness, the conversation explores whether Babiš’s return signals a new era of Central European populism or just another turn in a familiar political cycle. 🎧 Tune in to CEA Talk — where Ce...

13 hours ago

42 minutes

CEA Talk

#66 Markevičiūtė: Chat Control on Hold — What’s Next for Encryption and Digital Rights in Europe? ⎸ Hosted by Szilard Szelpal

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál speaks with Eglė Markevičiūtė, Representative of Consumer Choice Center, about one of the EU’s most divisive proposals — the so-called Chat Control regulation. The discussion explores why the plan to scan private messages was put on hold, what it means for the future of online privacy, and how policymakers can protect children without undermining encryption. From Germany’s last-minute pivot to civil society’s digital pushback, the conversation...

2 weeks ago

33 minutes

CEA Talk

#65 Hansen: Regulation, Innovation, and Freedom of Choice in the Future of Tobacco | Hosted by Szilard Szelpal - PART 2

In this in-depth conversation, Philip Hansen reflects on the evolving tobacco industry in Europe and across global markets. He discusses the dual forces of strict regulation and rapid innovation, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges they create. Hansen addresses taxation, exclusion from policymaking, the role of harm reduction strategies, and the importance of preserving consumer freedom of choice. He also explores how different regions—from Sweden to Germany, Asia, and the US—a...

1 month ago

24 minutes

CEA Talk

#64 Panzaru: Most Favored Nation Drug Pricing and the Transatlantic Tug-of-War | Hosted by Szilard Szelpal

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál sits down with Dr. Emil Panzaru, Research Director at the Consumer Choice Center, to unpack one of the most controversial health and trade policies on both sides of the Atlantic: Most Favored Nation drug pricing. They discuss what MFN pricing actually means for U.S. patients, how EU regulatory reforms could reshape global access to medicines, and the trade tensions between Washington and Brussels on patents and pricing. The conversation also e...

2 months ago

44 minutes

CEA Talk

#63 Hansen: Tobacco at the Crossroads: Policy, Politics, and Public Health - PART 1

In this first installment of a two-part conversation, Philipp Hansen, European Affairs Director at Japan Tobacco International, joins CEA Talk to reflect on his career in Brussels, his views on European policymaking, and the shifting role of liberal political forces in Germany and beyond. Drawing from years of experience at the intersection of institutions, industry, and politics, Hansen offers a thoughtful and clear-eyed perspective on what it means to represent corporate interests in today’...

2 months ago

36 minutes

CEA Talk

#62 Brøns-Petersen: A Strong Europe in a Changing World – Denmark’s EU Presidency

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál sits down with Otto Brøns-Petersen, Director of Analysis at CEPOS, to discuss Denmark’s bold and multifaceted vision as it leads the EU Council Presidency. We delve into Denmark’s priorities — from strengthening European defence and security amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions to advancing ambitious climate targets and balancing them with industrial competitiveness. The conversation also addresses Hungary’s controversial veto on Ukraine’s EU ...

3 months ago

1 hour 16 minutes

CEA Talk

#61 Szabolcs Pék: Hungary in Flux: Party Preferences, Public Shifts, and the Road to the 2026 Election

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál is joined by political analyst and public opinion researcher Szabolcs Pék to unpack the dramatic shifts underway in Hungary’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 general election. With Fidesz's long-held dominance under pressure and Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party surging in the polls, this conversation explores what’s behind the changing public mood, how the opposition is reconfiguring, and whether a true political realignment is taking shape. F...

3 months ago

40 minutes

CEA Talk

#60 Stanchev: Bulgaria’s Euro Leap – What Awaits After January 2026

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál speaks with renowned Bulgarian economist Dr. Krassen Stanchev about Bulgaria’s upcoming adoption of the euro, set for January 1st, 2026. This moment marks a major milestone in the country’s path toward deeper European integration, but it also raises important questions about economic preparedness, public trust, and long-term structural reform. Dr. Stanchev draws on decades of experience in market reforms and EU policy to unpack the deeper mean...

3 months ago

41 minutes

CEA Talk

#59 Baranyai: Expat Life After Foreign Service and the Future of the EU

In this episode of CEA Talk, former Hungarian diplomat and legal expert Gábor Baranyai joins us from Brussels to share his personal and professional journey after leaving traditional foreign service. We discuss what it means to reinvent a career abroad, how life unfolds inside (and outside) the EU bubble, and what the future holds for European bureaucracy and climate policy. A thoughtful conversation on identity, adaptation, and diplomacy in transition.

3 months ago

47 minutes

CEA Talk

#58 Gilbert-Roberts: How Sport and Business Are Shaping Each Other Globally - PART 2

In this follow-up episode, Szilárd Szelpál and Marlon Gilbert-Roberts dive deeper into the often-overlooked question: What happens after the final whistle? They explore the challenges and opportunities athletes face once their professional sports careers end — from identity shifts and financial planning to new roles in business, media, and beyond. With Marlon’s legal and executive insight, this episode offers a candid look at building long-term success, even after stepping off the field. Whet...

4 months ago

52 minutes

CEA Talk

Panzaru: If you raise taxes too much, you don’t get less smoking

In this episode of CEA Talk, Dr. Emil Panzaru, political analyst and tobacco regulation expert, discusses the European Commission’s approach to taxing tobacco and vaping products. He dives into the unintended consequences of taxation, such as the growth of illicit markets, and reflects on what smarter regulation could look like. A critical look at public health, policy design, and the limits of prohibition.

4 months ago

38 minutes

CEA Talk

#56 Gilbert-Roberts: How Sport and Business Are Shaping Each Other Globally - PART 1

In this episode of CEA Talk, Szilárd Szelpál sits down with Marlon Gilbert Roberts, international lawyer and CEO of Business 2 Sports Group, to explore the fast-evolving world where sports, business, and strategy intersect. From athlete career planning to governance challenges and investment opportunities in global sport, the conversation offers unique insights into how professionalism, innovation, and trust are reshaping the sports industry. Whether you're in law, business, or just passionat...

4 months ago

42 minutes

CEA Talk

Tatala: What Poland’s Presidential Election Means for Domestic and Foreign Policy

In this episode, economist and Civil Development Forum VP Marek Tatala joins us to unpack the results of Poland’s presidential election and the political standoff between a PiS-backed president and Tusk’s pro-European government.

4 months ago

38 minutes

CEA Talk

Verghote: We should be thinking about life with Xenobots

In this episode of CEA Talk, we sit down with Simon Verghote, a philosopher and bioethicist at Université Libre de Bruxelles, whose research explores the ethical and ontological implications of xenobots living organisms designed by artificial intelligence and constructed from real biological tissue. Verghote’s work offers a rare window into how synthetic biology and evolutionary algorithms are not only transforming medicine and biotechnology, but also challenging the very foundations of what ...

5 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes

CEA Talk

Markevičiūtė & Ossowski: Transatlantic Trade Tensions and the Future of Consumer Rights

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál is joined by Eglė Markevičiūtė and Yaël Ossowski from the Consumer Choice Center to discuss the evolving trade tensions between the US and the EU and what they mean for consumer rights, innovation, and transatlantic cooperation. Drawing on insights from CCC’s latest policy paper, the conversation explores regulatory challenges, opportunities for alignment, and the path forward for liberal democracies in a changing global landscape.

7 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes

CEA Talk

Kaddik: Decarbonization - the limits and challenges of e-mobility

Daniel Kaddik talks about the alternatives of fossil fuels for the next couple of decades. He mentions many challenges mainly focusing on Germany, where producing car is more than just sheer production, but also many other sectors are connected to it. Kaddik mentions the future of hydrogen and other alternative fuels, and talks enthusiastically how free market capitalism will solve transform petrol stations to being more service driven rather than only focusing on selling fuel. He also says t...

10 months ago

18 minutes

CEA Talk

Ember: Hungary’s Energy Crossroads: ‘Investors Must Navigate a Risky Terrain’

In our podcast, Zoltán Levente Ember, CEO of Hungarian research Compass Institute delves into the pressing challenges facing Hungary’s energy sector. From the rapid expansion of solar power capacity to the political and financial risks foreign investors must navigate, the discussion uncovers the complexities of the country's energy landscape. Listeners will learn about Hungary’s efforts to become a leader in electromobility and battery manufacturing, while struggling with outdated grid infras...

1 year ago

17 minutes