In this episode of our daily podcast ‘Today in the EU’ we’re all about the last European Parliament plenary session in Strasburg. The Members of the European Parliament are convening for a last session from 22 April until 25 April, to focus on some remaining files before dissolving this parliamentary mandate. All this in the shadow of French President Emmanuel Macron’s upcoming speech, about crucial issues affecting the EU. To look ahead to this last plenary we spoke with Euractiv's Paris-based ...
Apr 22, 2024•12 min•Ep. 30
In today's episode of Today in the EU, we decrypt the core messages of the 147-page long report by former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta that all EU institutions have been waiting for. Letta's analysis of the EU's single market was commissioned by the European Council a year ago. The document offers some answers to the unprecedented challenges facing the European Union: the energy crisis prompted by the war in Ukraine, the aftermath of an historic surge in prices, and increased competition ...
Apr 19, 2024•13 min•Ep. 29
More divided than ever, Germany’s coalition government still has many battles to tackle, internally and externally. The main bone of contention is the country’s constitutional ‘debt brake’, exposing the growing rift between the country’s three ruling parties. Externally, the coalition is losing ground in the race for the upcoming June elections. One of ruling parties, the liberal FDP, fears that it may not meet the required 5% threshold. To break down what’s happening with the governing coalitio...
Apr 18, 2024•16 min•Ep. 28
Far-right leaders from across Europe are supposed to gather today in Brussels for the National Conservatism Conference after the event was disrupted by the police on Tuesday following a shut-down order by the socialist mayor of Saint Josse. Since its inception, Natcon has evolved into a powerhouse event, drawing significant attention and hundreds of thousands of euros in funding. As controversial conservative ideologies gain traction, let’s look at how this conference intersects with the future ...
Apr 17, 2024•14 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of our ‘Today in the EU’ podcast, we’re looking into this week's EU summit and the pressing topics on the agenda. EU leaders are meeting in Brussels on 17-18 April for an informal EU summit to hammer out the Union’s common reaction to Iran’s attack on Israel and discuss the bloc's competitiveness and economy. To understand better what to expect from the discussion, we spoke with Alexandra Brzozowski, Euractiv’s global Europe editor, and Thomas Moller-Nielsen, Euractiv’s economy r...
Apr 16, 2024•16 min•Ep. 26
The European Commission is ramping up its oversight of major tech firms. Google’s parent company Alphabet, META, Tiktok, and Apple are all in the Commission's crosshairs. But experts say that fines might not be enough to halt bad behaviour. As the mandate of many European regulators comes to an end, they are racing against time to leave a lasting mark. Will they succeed in making digital spaces safer before the European elections in June? We’re joined by our tech reporter Julia Tar, who has been...
Apr 15, 2024•12 min•Ep. 25
In this episode of our daily ‘Today in the EU’ podcast, we take a deep dive into the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The EU’s economic chief Paolo Gentiloni called for turning the bloc’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) into a “permanent” resource, arguing that its temporary nature hasn't helped the programme would unleash its full potential. However, the European Court of Auditors is warning about the risk of frauds when it comes to EU funds after cases of embezzlement were detect...
Apr 12, 2024•15 min•Ep. 24
The European Parliament confronts the Council and the Commission today about the political developments that have swept Slovakia. On Sunday (7 April), Slovaks elected Peter Pellegrini, an ally of populist pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico, as the country's new president, boosting the pro-Moscow forces' grip on power. The European Commission has already threatened to freeze funds for Bratislava in response, but that might make the Eurosceptic prime minister even more popular. After the backs...
Apr 11, 2024•12 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of our ‘Today in the EU’ podcast we are looking into the vote on the controversial migration pact. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will discuss and vote on ten new bills updating the EU asylum and migration rules, emphasising cooperation and mandatory but flexible solidarity. The final legislative activity in migration and asylum takes place at plenary today , where the Commission and the Belgian Council Presidency share the results of the Migration and Asylum Pact disc...
Apr 10, 2024•14 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of our daily ‘Today in the EU’ podcast, we examine the latest scandal to affect Germany's right-wing populist AfD party. Far from new to scandals, alarm bells have started ringing after senior member Petr Bystron, who is running for European Parliament in the June elections, was reportedly caught accepting money from the pro-Russian disinformation site, the Voice of Europe . But is he the only one, and with just two months until Europe heads to the polls, is Parliament ready to t...
Apr 09, 2024•15 min•Ep. 21
In the latest episode of our daily podcast Today in the EU, we take a look at the consequences of political polarisation in Poland. October 2023 marked the end of eight years of the nationalist government of the Law and Justice party in Poland, with the election of pro-EU veteran Donald Tusk. Brussels welcomed his rise to power and unfroze billions in funds to Poland. But change does not happen overnight. Tusk is now confronted with an electorate divided over how the government should address fa...
Apr 08, 2024•14 min•Ep. 20
In this episode of Today in the EU, we are looking at how the EU is responding to Israel’s attack that killed humanitarian workers in Gaza on Monday night. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell both called for a thorough investigation into the Israeli military attack in Gaza. Borrell described IDF’s military actions as appalling and called for an immediate ceasefire while the EU institutions’ sentiment towards Israeli military forces seems to have ...
Apr 05, 2024•13 min•Ep. 19
In the latest episode of our daily podcast 'Today in the EU', we’re looking at the NATO foreign affairs ministers' meeting taking place in Brussels. As NATO marks its 75th anniversary, the alliance reflects on its times of peace and stability, as it faces two crucial challenges. Navigating the selection of a new Secretary-General and its relations with Russia. To discuss what we should keep an eye on regarding the NATO meeting we spoke with Aurelie Pugnet, Euractiv’s politics editor....
Apr 04, 2024•15 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of our daily Today in the EU podcast, we are talking about Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s effort to gain support from both ends of the political spectrum. Von der Leyen faces a tricky dilemma as she will have to woo right-wing voters, including new members of the European Parliament, without scaring away the left-of-centre parties, whose votes she needs to win her second term. But what will keeping this precarious balance look like for von der Leyen? How is she going...
Apr 03, 2024•13 min•Ep. 17
In the latest episode of our daily podcast, Today in the EU, we take a look at the satirical parties that have emerged on Europe's political scene. The European Union isn't exactly known for fun and games, but there are some unexpected players who bring a more light-hearted approach to politics. They are political parties originally founded as jokes that have somehow managed to find a road to the European Parliament. We invited Max Griera , Euractiv’s network journalist, to tell us more about wh...
Apr 02, 2024•15 min•Ep. 16
In the latest episode of Euractiv’s 'Today in the EU', we are looking at how China's drive to reduce reliance on the West is worsening Europe's industrial decline. Beijing’s push to achieve greater strategic independence from the West comes amid rising tensions between China and the West, while Europe is pushing for greater strategic independence from China. To get a better insight into how this affects Europe’s industry, we invited Thomas Moller Nielsen, Euractiv's economy reporter....
Mar 29, 2024•13 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of our daily 'Today in the EU' podcast, we are breaking down the concerns expressed regarding the European Commission’s decision to relax environmental requirements for farmers. In the aftermath of the protests that took over some of the EU’s capitals, the Commission is making proposals to appease farmers, with much of it related to environmental matters. We have invited Maria Simon Arboleas to our studio to discuss what's behind the European Commission’s decision....
Mar 28, 2024•14 min•Ep. 14
In the latest episode of Euractiv’s Today in the EU, we’re focusing on the nature restoration law, which has been at the forefront of discussions among national governments in the Council, while the European Parliament has seen its fair share of drama. Despite the compromise reached between Parliament and national governments in February, which notably diluted the Commission's original proposal, there is now not enough support amongst member states. To break down what is happening with one of th...
Mar 27, 2024•15 min•Ep. 13
In this episode of our daily podcast Today in the EU, we’re diving into the EU’s lending arm's intention to“stretch” its investment remit beyond financing dual-use goods that can be exploited for civilian and military purposes. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is poised to loosen lending criteria, potentially lifting restrictions on financing ammunition and weapons production. But who is pushing for it, and what will be the implications of loosening the criteria? We invited Anna Brunetti, Eura...
Mar 26, 2024•16 min•Ep. 12
In the latest episode of our Today in the EU podcast, we are looking at how European elections have impacted French President Emmanuel Macron's policy choices. After France became the first country in the world to enshrine in the Constitution the right of women to have an abortion, the country now wants to regulate assisted dying. The newfound focus on civil and social rights has convinced many that Macron is trying to win back votes from the left in the run-up to June's European elections. We s...
Mar 25, 2024•12 min•Ep. 11
In this episode of our daily podcast, Today in the EU, we are taking a deep dive, into the upcoming presidential elections in Slovakia. Slovaks will be deciding this Sunday on who will be their next president. The campaign has been focusing on Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico’s closest ally, Peter Pellegrini, as concerns grow that Slovakia will follow Hungary’s path. To better understand the intricacies of the upcoming Slovak presidential elections, we are joined by Radovan Geist, publishe...
Mar 22, 2024•14 min•Ep. 10
In this episode of our daily podcast Today in the EU, we are looking at EU leaders gathering in Brussels on 21-22 March to discuss further long-term military aid to Ukraine, Europe's 'war economy' footing, enlargement, and farmers discontent. We spoke to Euractiv’s Global Europe Editor Alexandra Brzozowski to break down the nitty-gritty of the expected discussions. Especially in the strategic debate on Russia's war in Ukraine, the linguistics will matter, EU diplomats say.
Mar 21, 2024•14 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of the Today in the EU podcast, we look at the ALDE congress and the launch of the Renew platform. As European parties wrap up 'Congress Season', Renew Europe is the last to go, convening today, 20th of March in Brussels to unveil its platform and electoral program. Who will step up as candidates, and what lies ahead for a party that looks set to lose major ground in the upcoming European election? To break down the nitty-gritty of the Congress, Max Griera Euractiv’s network jour...
Mar 20, 2024•14 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of the Today in the EU podcast: As the EU summit on 21-22 March looms, farmers take centre stage at the discussion table. Will EU leaders approve their requests and what hangs in the balance for the agrifood sector this week? We invited Angelo Di Mambro, Euractiv’s Agrifood editor, to our studio to break this down.
Mar 19, 2024•13 min•Ep. 7
In the latest episode of Euractiv’s Today in the EU, with Alexandra Brzozowski, Euractiv’s Global Europe editor, we look into the intricacies of the EU's foreign affairs summit. EU foreign affairs ministers are meeting in Brussels today to discuss a number of pressing issues at the very borders of the European Union. But what can we expect from this meeting?
Mar 18, 2024•14 min•Ep. 6
On the latest episode of Euractiv’s Today in the EU, we invited senior editor Georgi Gotev to take a deep dive into Bulgaria’s and Romania’s Schengen admission. From 31 March, Bulgaria and Romania will partially join Europe’s Schengen Area, ceasing border checks for all air- or sea-based travel between Bulgaria, Romania and other Schengen Area countries. But how are the travelling of citizens and the trade of goods affected? And why did it take so long for these countries to join the Schengen Ar...
Mar 15, 2024•12 min•Ep. 5
On this episode of our daily podcast Today in the EU, we’re diving into the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive - or CSDDD - as legislators gear up for a key vote Friday (15 March), the last push to get it over the line. The due diligence law has faced rising opposition since the provisional agreement of a final draft in December. It has subsequently been fighting for its survival, after a last-minute change of heart from a number of member states who have feared a negative imp...
Mar 14, 2024•14 min•Ep. 4
On the latest episode of Euractiv’s Today in the EU, we’re looking into the AI Act vote in Strasbourg - and why the lack of reference to how AI will be used in the defence sector is causing some concern. It’s plenary week in Strasbourg and MEPs are gathering to vote on the last files left for this mandate before EU citizens head to the polls in June. Still to be finalised is the Artificial Intelligence Act. Although the EU’s legislative text was adopted in mid-February, it still needs to be rati...
Mar 13, 2024•13 min•Ep. 3
On the latest episode of Euractiv’s Today in the EU, all eyes are on the NATO military alliance, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary with two new members: Finland and Sweden. Lying ahead in 2024 is a mission to maintain unity and find a new secretary general, all while navigating through the hot waters of helping Ukraine without being dragged into a war with Russia. To break down who are the top candidates for the alliance's top position and assess what lies in store for NATO in the future...
Mar 12, 2024•15 min•Ep. 2
On the very first episode of our daily podcast Today in the EU , we are looking at the upcoming European elections. Campaigns are heating up, with the political parties showing their claws ahead of polls opening in June. According to Euractiv’s polling provider, Europe Elects, the national-conservative ECR group is set to overtake the liberal Renew Europe group as the fourth-largest political force. We sat down with Euractiv’s network journalist Max Griera to break down the numbers and trends an...
Mar 11, 2024•14 min•Ep. 1
