“We will burn anything we can”: Czech presidency and EU nuclear Renaissance

Abstract

ABSTRACT After rounds of sanctions against Russia, the EU is now confronting unprecedented energy security. Unlike their Western European counterparts, the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries favour nuclear power development in their energy diversification strategies, intending to place their beliefs in it on the EU agenda. The article examines how the Czech Republic, committing to resolving the current energy predicament by all means, can drive the EU to a nuclear renaissance via the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Although energy issues are shared competence between EU institutions and member states, they are legally binding after being folded into the European Climate Law. Moreover, the trio Presidency helps keep CEE countries’ nuclear energy agenda on the EU’s table, necessitating debates and development in times of crisis. The article analyses EU member states’ presidency priorities and results between the Czech Republic’s two rotating presidencies from 2009 to 2022.