photographed by Michaela Nespěchalová

Interview with Petr Kaniok - Head of International Institute of Political Science and full professor, Department of International Relations and European Politics

Interviewed by Abhinav Banerjee and Michaela Nespěchalová, January 2024

1. How did you initiate your academic career, and what sparked your deep interest in international relations and European politics?

In the '90s, as the modern Czech Republic emerged, I became fascinated with politics and history at the age of 12 amid the democratic changes in Central and Eastern Europe. This interest persisted through high school, leading me to major in politics and journalism at university. Despite initially aspiring to be a political journalist, I spent several years covering soccer.

During my university years, my focus shifted to European Union politics, coinciding with the Czech Republic's pursuit of EU membership. My bachelor's thesis delved into the European Parliament elections, marking the beginning of my deepened interest in the EU. Despite the absence of a dedicated EU program, I continued exploring EU politics during my master's studies. Following years as a journalist, the establishment of the Department for International Relations and European Politics at Masaryk University inspired me to pursue doctoral studies, marking the inception of my academic career. Teaching at the university, though initially unclear, proved to be both fascinating and flexible.

2. Could you elaborate on your specific field of focus within the realm of European politics?

My primary focus is on the European Union, particularly its decision-making processes and the functioning of political institutions. Additionally, during my doctoral studies, I delved into the study of Euroscepticism, examining its negative approach towards the EU and the broader consequences. Currently, my research explores how the European integration process has impacted the functioning of national political institutions.

3. Can you share a particularly exciting project that stands out in your career?

Certainly, one of the most noteworthy projects was my participation in the 2014 Seventh Framework research program titled "Horizon." This extensive pan-European project, led by Utrecht University, focused on EU citizenship and spanned four years. This collaboration marked a transformative moment in my career, providing opportunities to work with colleagues from various international universities. As I said in the beginning, it was my first, bigger experience, and since then, it has become normal for me to cooperate with colleagues abroad. It was kind of a game-changing mindset because in the previous years, we did not have that many opportunities to meet colleagues from abroad to cooperate with them. And in the first decade of the new Millennium, we had a very limited number of international programmes or projects.

4. Shifting towards a more topical discussion – the upcoming elections. What are your views on, and do you anticipate any shifts in policy decisions?

Predicting elections is challenging, but I anticipate a significant voter turnout for the upcoming European elections. Because I think people understand that there is a lot at stake now. The impact of current EU policies, such as the Green Deal, motivates people to critically assess the EU's direction. These elections will likely emphasize European politics and policies rather than national politics, with varying results across EU countries.

In many cases in many countries, the voters are not satisfied with the domestic politics, including Czechia for example, so the election will be a kind of referendum about the domestic politics and this will, of course, make the people come as well to devote if we move or. When it comes to the results of the European election, as you said in the beginning, it is really difficult to estimate because we still have some. Like 5 months to go, so a lot of things may happen in this time, but what I expect is that we may expect that the support for euro sceptics or far left or far right will probably be higher. Then in the case of the 2019 European elections, we may expect some substantial decline. For the support of the mainstream parties like liberals or the Socialists or the OR the EU Christian Democrats. And then I would expect that the results will be different across the EU countries, depending on the domestic situation.

5. Could you share your favourite course to teach and any recommendations for students interested in European politics?

My favourite course revolves around EU institutions (FSS: IREb1014 Institutions of the EU), aligning with my academic profile. I highly recommend this course to students interested in a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of the European Union. Additionally, I teach a master's level course on the politics of Euroscepticism (FSS: EGOn5005 Politics of Euroscepticism), exploring diverse aspects of Eurosceptic thought. It's interesting to note that Euroscepticism, in specific contexts, can provide a constructive and critical perspective on EU politics.

6. Do you have any messages for current or prospective students at the university?

For those considering a future career across various disciplines, applying for this program is an excellent decision. The program offers a diverse array of courses providing a vibrant and multifaceted perspective on the world and Europe. Furthermore, the program's international composition facilitates connections with individuals from different countries and continents, offering a uniquely enriching experience.