This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the latest EU response to Russia’s war in Ukraine and the geopolitical 'taboos' involved in the EU's activation the European peace facility program through buying and sending weapons to Ukraine. We also tackle the country's fast-track EU membership application, and Germany’s foreign policy u-turn. I spoke with EURACTIV’s reporters Alexandra Brzozowski and Oliver Noyan to hear more. On the bloc’s actions to become independent from Russia when it...
Mar 03, 2022•27 min•Ep. 46
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the Russian invasion in Ukraine. How did we get to this point? What will European leaders decide in terms of sanctions? And - what does the future hold for relations between the West and Russia? I spoke with EURACTIV’s senior editor Georgi Gotev and EURACTIV’s reporter on Global Europe Alexandra Brzozowski to hear more. We also spoke about the cancellation of Nord Stream 2 and what the last nail on its coffin was. To break down the main points ...
Feb 24, 2022•21 min•Ep. 45
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on inflation in Europe, what is driving it and why, and what role the European Central Bank in ensuring stability. I spoke with EURACTIV’s Jobs and Economy Editor, Janos Amman, to hear more. We are also talking about the EU African Union summit in Brussels. After two years of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition over influence on the African continent is as strong as ever. The EU has put forth proposals for new investments to forge...
Feb 17, 2022•14 min•Ep. 44
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the EU’s proposed green investment label for nuclear and gas, which prompted several countries, including Germany, to consider legal action. EURACTIV’s energy journalists, Kira Taylor and Niko Krumayer joined me to break it down. We are also talking about how and why Europe’s most used cookie consent system is deemed incompatible with EU privacy rules. How does it work now, and what should be changed in the future? I spoke to EURACTIV’s digital...
Feb 10, 2022•14 min•Ep. 43
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow amid Russia's tensions with the EU and the West in general. To break down what was discussed, how the visit was perceived, and what Putin and Orbán took away from their meeting, I spoke with EURACTIV’s Vlagyiszlav Maksimov. We are also talking about another meeting during the last week of January. EU ministers decided on the general directive that EU countries must follow from the beginning of February regarding t...
Feb 03, 2022•24 min•Ep. 42
This week, our podcast focuses on the escalation at the Ukrainian and Russian border, diplomatic efforts to maintain peace in the region, and what Russia wants from Ukraine and the West. To understand the situation as it unfolds, I spoke with EURACTIV’s Alexandra Brzozowski and Krassen Nikolov from EURACTIV Bulgaria. We are also talking about the presidential race in Italy. Why does it matter, who are the most credible names, how does the voting system work, and how can the election of the Presi...
Jan 27, 2022•26 min•Ep. 41
This week our podcast focuses on the rise of the suicide rates amongst Europe's youth, the increase of depression among EU citizens, what has been done and what can we do better. To shed some light on how European countries are facing these issues, I spoke with EURACTIV’s editor, Alice Taylor and Laura Marchetti, policy manager at Mental Health Europe. We are also talking about the new EU taxonomy, what it includes, the teething issues, and why we have had reactions from climate activists such a...
Jan 20, 2022•21 min•Ep. 40
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on Kazakhstan, the demonstrations that caused significant unrest across the country, Russia’s involvement, and possible measures coming from the EU. To shed some light on the story, we spoke with EURACTIV’s Senior Editor, Georgi Gotev and Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, associate professor of international affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. We also discuss the first informal meeting of foreign and defence ministers under the French EU Council P...
Jan 13, 2022•23 min•Ep. 39
In the first episode of 2022, EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline focuses on the tension between Russia and Kyiv and the EU’s role in it. A story that started some months ago requires close attention and possibly action from the West. To shed some light on what is happening on the Russian and Ukrainian borders, I’m joined today by EURACTIV’s Alexandra Brzozowski. Regarding another ongoing issue, this time in Spain, recently published reports show that the past year was the deadliest on the western Euro...
Jan 06, 2022•11 min•Ep. 38
In the last episode of the year, our Beyond the Byline podcast revisits some of the stories that caught our attention in 2021. From the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has changed our lives over the past two years to the new climate goals and legislation by the European Commission, the international tax regime, and the pushbacks against migrants in the Aegean, 2021 was an eventful year. To wrap up what has happened in these 12 months, I spoke with EURACTIV’s reporters Giedre Peseckyte, Oliver Noy...
Dec 23, 2021•18 min•Ep. 37
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the imprisonment of an opposition leader in Belarus, the practices Alexander Lukashenko’s uses against his political opponents, and the EU’s position. To shed some light on the story, I am joined by EURACTIV’s Senior Editor, Georgi Gotev. We are also talking about the upcoming French presidency of the EU, the hot topics on the agenda, the focus on digital regulation and tech sovereignty, and what changes to expect. To hear more on that, I spoke ...
Dec 17, 2021•12 min•Ep. 36
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the minimum wage directive agreed by the EU council. What is in the directive, which countries oppose it and what is the future of the minimum wages? To break down the components of this story, I’m joined by Janos Amman, EURACTIV’s Economy and Jobs editor. We are also talking about the start of vaccinations for children aged between 5 and 11 years old in France and other EU countries. What’s the plan and which vaccine is the safest according to...
Dec 10, 2021•10 min•Ep. 35
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the fines Austria and Greece are proposing against unvaccinated people, the reactions so far, and the exceptions. Oliver Noyan joins me from EURACTIV Germany to hear more on this story. We also talk about Donald Tusk's criticism of Angela Merkel's Nord Stream 2 deal with Russia, which the Polish politician called her "biggest mistake". To shed some light on this story, I spoke with Piotr Maciej Kaczynski, an expert of The Bronislaw Geremek Found...
Dec 03, 2021•14 min•Ep. 34
This week our Beyond the Byline Podcast focuses on the Energy Crisis and the effects that this is having on the economy of Europe, especially in terms of impact on the low-middle income classes. I'm joined by EURACTIV's Energy and Environment Senior Editor Frédéric Simon. We are also talking about the Conference on the Future of Europe, six months after its official start, to shed some light on how it is going and where it is going. For this segment I've hosted our EURACTIV reporter Eleonora Vas...
Nov 26, 2021•17 min•Ep. 33
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the launch of a political dialogue between the EU and Switzerland, in an attempt by the two parties to resolve continuous misunderstandings regarding the single market. To shed some light on the story, I’m joined by EURACTIV’s Economy and Jobs Editor Janos Amman. We are also talking about the reaction of Greek Prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to a question asked by Dutch journalist Ingeborg Beugel about the pushbacks against migrants in the Ae...
Nov 18, 2021•18 min•Ep. 32
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast travels to Glasgow, where the United Nations climate change conference is being held. We focused on its importance for the future of climate and teething issues the leaders have to discuss. To break down the most critical components of COP26, I am joined by Kira Taylor, EURACTIV’s Energy and Environment reporter. We are also talking about the fishing dispute between France and the UK, the planned punitive measures and the discussion behind closed doors of ...
Nov 04, 2021•13 min•Ep. 31
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the COVID-19, the fourth wave the European countries try to avoid, the offered third vaccine dose and the new measures decided by the EU members. To explain what we know about what is happening in Europe right now, I’m joined today by EURACTIV’s health reporter Giedre Peseckyte. We’re also discussing the Chinese company that controls 67% of the Piraeus port, the working conditions that are leading to strikes there, the deals signed by the Greek ...
Oct 28, 2021•17 min•Ep. 30
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast is “travelling” to Prague to talk about the political crisis in Czechia, where the health of its president, Miloš Zeman, is causing instability, while the electoral loss of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš means other political parties will have to form a new government. And returning to Brussels, we focus on the relaunch of the EU’s economic governance review. What are the Commissions targets, and what can the EU members expect?
Oct 22, 2021•15 min•Ep. 29
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the potential Polexit and the tension between the EU and the Polish government over the EU treaties that were considered unconstitutional. To find out more on what is happening between the EU and Poland I’m joined by Piotr Macej Kaczynski from EURACTIV Poland. We’re also discussing about the resignation of Austria’s chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, the reasons behind it and the political instability in the country. To break down the components of thi...
Oct 14, 2021•17 min•Ep. 28
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the Pandora papers. The massive leak of financial documents revealed the wealth of the world’s most powerful people, allegedly including 27 EU politicians and global leaders. To find out who was on the list, what the reactions were, and if there would be action, I was joined by EURACTIV’s Senior Editor Georgi Gotev. We’re also discussing the meeting of the EU environment ministers in Luxembourg, the topics on the table, concerns over energy pric...
Oct 08, 2021•14 min•Ep. 27
This week the Beyond the Byline podcast is focusing on the spike of energy prices, the Commission’s monitoring of the evolution of the electricity prices, and its attempt to come up with long-term fixes like investments in energy savings and renewables as the main answer at European level. To break down the components of the Commission's plans to combat the spike in energy prices, I’m joined today by EURACTIV’s senior editor for energy and environment, Frederic Simon. We are also talking about t...
Oct 01, 2021•17 min•Ep. 26
All eyes are on Berlin this week as Germans vote on a new government on Sunday (26 September). The final result is difficult to predict but the new government will be one without Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been in power for 16 years and will step down from politics altogether. This week's Beyond the Byline podcast takes us to Germany with a special episode focusing on the possible political changes in the EU’s biggest country and their possible impact on EU affairs. To shed some light on ...
Sep 23, 2021•16 min•Ep. 25
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast is coming to you with a special episode focusing on the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's annual State of the Union speech. The president addressed the key issues on the EU agenda, and announced new measures, programmes, and plans. To break down the most important components of the speech I am joined today by no less than six EURACTIV reporters, who will share their expertise on health [Giedre Peseckyte], digital [Luca Bertuzzi], transpo...
Sep 15, 2021•23 min•Ep. 24
This week our podcast focuses on the European Commission’s decision to step up its legal feud with Warsaw by asking the top EU court to impose a daily financial penalty on Poland for its’ non-compliance with temporary measures European judges put in place this past July. To hear more on this story, I’m joined today by EURACTIV’s Vlad Maksimov. We are also talking about a dispute the EU is having with Russia, this time over the EU multinational military training mission in Mali. What is Russia ac...
Sep 09, 2021•16 min•Ep. 23
This week our podcast focuses on a security conference organised by Austria with the Central Asian states to discuss further strategy regarding Afghanistan. Austria and other EU countries are asking Afghanistan’s neighbours to manage migrations flows and prevent a potential migration crisis like the one Europe faced in 2015. To connect the dots on this unfolding story, I’m joined today by Oliver Noyan from EURACTIV Germany. We are also talking about the promise made by the Paris mayor Anne Hidal...
Sep 02, 2021•12 min•Ep. 22
In our last episode of the season, the Yellow Room brings you all the reaction to Europe’s “Fit for 55” climate package unveiled this week. To break down the components of this story, we spoke with EURACTIV energy and environment reporter Kira Taylor. We’re also looking into the latest stand off between Belarus and the EU, after Lithuania accused Minsk of using migrants to put pressure on the EU. How is the bloc reacting? EURACTIV reporter Alexandra Brzozowski sheds some light on the matter. And...
Jul 15, 2021•20 min•Ep. 20
This week our podcast focuses on the document signed by the leaders of 16 far-right parties across the EU asking for a deep reform of the Union in order to preserve its heritage. To shed some light on what this new “coalition” brings, and whether it could have an impact on the upcoming national elections in several EU countries, I spoke with EURACTIV’s Senior Editor Georgi Gotev. We’re also talking about the new cool kid on the EU’s block - a new vaccine that comes from France, where the pharma ...
Jul 08, 2021•13 min•Ep. 19
This week our podcast focuses on the spread of the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant and the threat it poses to Europe's long-awaited return to normality after almost 18 months of restrictions and lockdowns. What is the World Health Organisation so worried about? What are the plans to shield the EU from another wave of infections and what does Delta mean for the bloc's new COVID-19 digital certificate? We spoke with EURACTIV’s health reporter, Giedre Peseckyte, to find out. We’re also ...
Jul 01, 2021•17 min•Ep. 18
This week our podcast focuses on a milestone move by Ireland: approving medical cannabis prescriptions and giving patients the right to have access to medical cannabis and be reimbursed for it. To hear more on that story, we spoke with EURACTIV’s Agrifood and health reporter, Natasha Foote. We’re also talking about the EU’s data protection agency's call to ban the use of artificial intelligence to identify people in public spaces, the legislative proposal by the Commission and the company that m...
Jun 24, 2021•15 min•Ep. 17
This week, the Yellow Room takes us to Budapest, where the government passed a new bill introducing tougher penalties for paedophilia, in the wake of several cases of child abuse. However, the new amendments associate the LGBTQI+ minority with pedophiles and bans the portrayal of the homosexual and trans identity to underaged. To shed some light on these new amendments we spoke with EURACTIV’s Vlad Maksimov. And remaining outside Brussels, we are talking about the Euro football championship and ...
Jun 17, 2021•16 min•Ep. 16
