Doing the Same With Different Results: Variations in EU Presidencies of Austria, Finland, Slovakia and Czechia

Holding the presidency in the Council of the EU can be a powerful tool of influence for a member state. Despite its centrality in EU decision‐making, there is a gap in a systematic analysis of the performance of the presiding country, especially considering the external (input) factors that impact the successful implementation of the EU presidency. This article attempts to understand how the EU presidency can be conceptualized and what factors can influence its success. The analysis dwells on findings from current scholarly research as well as on data from four selected EU presidencies (Austrian, Finnish, Slovakian and Czech). It argues that the success of a presidency may be interpreted as apparent, but in reality, its extent and nature vary. It (the presidency) is a result of various factors that directly become part of the preparations and affect the execution of the presidency's activities.