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This year brought seismic changes across Europe: political crises, shifting environmental priorities, and debates about the continent’s industrial strategy.From the Green Deal’s transformation to the US election, we explore how decisions made this year will shape the continent for decades. How did Germany’s government collapse ripple across the EU? What does a more competitiveness-focused agenda mean for climate policy? And what’s next for Europe in a world dominated by US-China tensions?
In this special episode of Today in the EU, host Giada Santana is joined by Euractiv's publisher René Moerland and editors Anna Brunetti and Donagh Cagney, to unpack the stories that made 2024 unforgettable.
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Germany’s political groups officially kicked off their campaign trail after Chancellor Scholz lost a no-confidence vote on Tuesday (17 December). With a snap election now set for February, the race is well underway.
From their manifestos, both the SPD (S&D) and CDU/CSU (EPP) appear to be carefully calibrating their messaging on key voter concerns – such as aid to Ukraine, economic policy, and migration. Their goal? To win over voters without shutting the door on future coalition deals.
But which alliances stand a real chance, and what is the strategy behind the catchy slogans?
In this episode, host Giada Santana teams up with Euractiv’s Berlin-based reporters, Nick Alipour and Jasper Steinlein, to unpack how the CDU/CSU and SPD are branding themselves and the strategies driving their campaigns.
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François Bayrou's appointment as France's new prime minister is the latest in a series of questionable political moves Emmanuel Macron has made since June, which have increasingly put the president in a vulnerable position.
Outmanoeuvred by his long-time ally Bayrou, who used his political leverage to secure the job, Macron now faces a public growing all the more sceptical of his leadership. The new French prime minister, however, appears ready to move past party lines to guarantee the government’s survival. What cards is Bayrou prepared to play to lock in his power?
In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Paris-based politics reporter Théo Bourgery-Gonse to discuss how Bayrou outplayed Macron and what this means for the French government’s future.
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The European Parliament will elect the new EU Ombudsman on Tuesday (17 December) to replace Emily O'Reilly, with her successor set to inherit her impressive legacy.
In a sit-down interview with Giada Santana, O’Reilly reflected on her time in office, the current political climate, and her landmark inquiry into Frontex.
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Estonia, a leader in digital governance, is known for remote internet voting, online public services, and digital IDs, earning recognition as the world’s second most digitalized government, according to the United Nations. But its technological advancements have made it a target for cyber interference from Moscow as geopolitical tensions move online.
“The propaganda budget for Russia is bigger than the whole Estonian state budget,” said Estonia’s Digital Minister Liisa Pakosta to Euractiv.
“It’s a hybrid war between the autocratic and democratic world," the minister added.
The Baltic state shares a 294-kilometre border with Russia and is home to a 300,000-strong Russian-speaking minority, factors that increase its exposure to Kremlin-linked hybrid warfare. How has Estonia built its tech-driven society, and how is it helping its neighbours fend off digital threats?
In this episode, host Giada Santana is joined by Estonia's Justice and Digital Affairs Minister Liisa Pakosta to discuss Estonia's digital transformation and the challenges of securing a fully digital state in an era of escalating cyber warfare.
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Georgia’s parliament is set to elect the country’s next president on Saturday (14 December), a vote that could backfire for the ruling Dream Party as it has opted to back pro-Russian candidate Mikheil Kavelashvili. During its four terms in power, Georgian Dream has gradually worked towards eroding democratic institutions - a move that has alienated much of civil society, including top national banks and diplomats, many of whom have publicly distanced themselves from the government.
In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Carnegie's Thomas De Waal about Georgia's apparent shift towards Russia and what the EU can do to respond.
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Talk of EU migration policy have dominated Brussels this week, with at least 15 EU countries deciding to freeze asylum requests for Syrian citizens and EU leaders set to vote on key matters at the EU Home Affairs Council.
EU's migration policy will be high on the political agenda when EU interior ministers meet in Brussels on Thursday (12 December).
Key decisions include a vote on extending Schengen membership to Romania and Bulgaria, revising anti-smuggling measures, and promoting the implementation of the EU Migration Pact at the national level.
In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv's politics reporter Nicoletta Ionta look at the controversial migration debates at the EU level and their potential outcomes.
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As a transitional government takes shape in Syria, hopes run high for the country to regain its democratic status after a decade-long dictatorship. However, the aftermath leaves a fragmented political scenario that might easily spiral into chaos. From Moscow to Ankara and Teheran, regional powers are competing for relevance through the support of the different armed groups involved in the fall of Bashar al Assad’s regime. And if Europe strives for stability in the country, it has a role to play as well, according to experts.
In this episode, host Giada Santana breaks down the rivaling interests shaping the future of Syria with Chatham House fellow Chris Phillips and Russian reporter Iuliia Akhmedova.
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The European Union could face unexpected fallout from the latest round of sanctions imposed by Beijing on U.S. markets, as China banned the shipment of three rare minerals critical for building next-generation weapons and military equipment.
How does the US-China trade war impact the European Union, and how can Europe protect its defense industry at at such a crucial time?
In this episode, host Giada Santana and defense reporter Aurelie Pugnet discuss the latest escalation in the tit-for-tat between Beijing and Washington and what it implies for the Union.
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The EU and four Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) finalised a historic trade agreement on Friday (6 December) after 25 years of talks. First proposed in 1999, the deal will establish one of the world's largest free trade zones – but not everyone seems to be happy about it. The deal has drawn sharp criticism in the Union over environmental and political concerns. So, what does the South American trade pact entail, and why has it created such deep divisions within the EU?
In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro unpack the EU-Mercosur deal and the controversies it has sparked.
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Brussels is on tenterhooks as Romania heads to the polls on Sunday (8 December) to choose between pro-Moscow TikTok star Călin Georgescu and pro-European hopeful Elena Lasconi in the final round of the presidential elections.
In a country where one in three citizens trust the government, the semi-presidential system could grant far-right candidate Georgescu significant power to challenge parliamentary majorities and potentially shift the country's stance on Moscow.
In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv's senior editor Georgi Gotev break down the elections in Romania and assess the situation as the country prepares for its next chapter.
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The number of violations of the US-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon has surpassed 100 since the ceasefire agreement took effect last Wednesday, casting doubts on hopes for peace between Hezbollah and Israel. Besides condemning the breaches, the EU's absence from the negotiating table during these tense moments raises questions about its relevance in the Middle East.
In this episode, host Giada Santana talks to Middle East experts Bilal Saab and Julien Barnes-Dacey about the terms of the shaky ceasefire agreement amidst Washington and Brussels’s diplomatic efforts in the region.
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Wolf protection is back on the table for EU lawmakers as they must now reopen talks on the EU's Habitats Directive, a cornerstone of EU biodiversity policy. The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention decided to back a European Commission proposal weakening the protection of wolves on Tuesday (3 December), meaning MEPs must now reconsider one of the EU's flagship biodiversity policies. But why is the European Commission waging a crusade against wolves? And how does it align with the union's environmental pledges?
In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv's Energy, Environment and Transport reporter Barbara Machado reflect on the political motives behind lowering the protection status of wolves and its wider implications for biodiversity.
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The current French government might be the shortest-lived in the history of the fifth Republic as opposition parties announced the possibility of a vote of no-confidence on Monday (2 December). Ongoing tense negotiations over financial cuts and taxes have kept the government at risk of falling for the past two months. Why are budget talks threatening a political crisis in France?
In this episode, host Giada Santana and politics reporter Thèo Bourgery-Gonse chat about the controversies around the French budgetary package and the looming threat on Barnier’s head.
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When voters cast their ballots in recent European elections, the economy topped their long list of concerns. Shortly after, Commission President von der Leyen assumed office with a clear mission: make Europe more competitive to keep pace with the US and China.
But the push for global competitiveness seems to sideline labour and social policies, which have long been seen as hallmarks of Europe’s economic model. So, how does the Commission plan to make the Union wealthier? And who is at risk of being left behind?
In this episode, host Giada Santana chats with economics editor Anna Brunetti about the wind of change sweeping European economic policy.
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In the past two weeks, Russian forces have achieved the fastest breakthrough in eastern Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion. As the Ukrainian army is in dire need of new recruits and equipment, hundreds of soldiers are under special training as part of Operation Interflex, aimed at providing them with vital skills to manage death-threatening situations.What is the operation like? How can this training impact Ukrainian troops’ success on the frontlines?
In this episode, host Giada Santana hears from defence reporter Aurélie Pugnet about what she discovered during a trip on the ground.
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On Wednesday (27 November), the new college of commissioners was approved with 370 votes to 282 against – marking the lowest majority in history. The mandate is filled with uncertainties, except one: the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) enjoys free rein in Parliament negotiations, with master strategist Manfred Weber cosying up and forging alliances outside the centrist majority. How do non-coalition groups view this new, secretive, and unpredictable European Parliament?
In this episode, host Giada Santana talks about the rationale behind the vote with two MEPs: Daniel Freund of the Greens and Carlo Fidanza of the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
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After weeks of political manoeuvring and backroom deals, MEPs are set to vote today (27 November) on Von der Leyen's next College of Commissioners.
While the EP’s greenlight seems certain after EPP, Renew, and S&D struck a platform agreement last week, the incoming College might be sworn in with the narrowest support in recent history. So, where do the different political groups stand? And what effect will the vote have on Parliament's future powerplays?
In this episode, host Giada Santana and politics reporters Nicoletta Ionta and Magnus Lund Nielsen talk numbers, alliances and behind-the-scenes buzz from Strasbourg's corridors.
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European businesses are increasingly concerned about the EU's growing regulatory and reporting requirements, which they say hamper competitiveness and productivity.
The combination of high energy prices (well above those in the US) and stringent sustainability and compliance requirements is putting pressure on several industries, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular.
While the European Union aims to reduce reporting obligations by 25%, the challenge is to balance simplification with maintaining the core objectives of its laws, such as climate and human rights standards. These concerns echo key findings of the Draghi report, which highlighted the EU's struggles with productivity and global competition.
To dig deeper, host Evi Kiorri was joined by Euractiv's Berlin-based economy reporter Jonathan Packroff.
[Edited by Daniel Eck]
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Both Israel and Hamas have dismissed the allegations, giving predictably polarised responses. The Israeli government condemned the ICC’s decision as “antisemitic,” while Hamas called the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant an “important historical precedent.” But what do these arrest warrants mean, and can the Court's 124 member states – none of which include Israel or the US – enforce this decision?
To answer these questions, host Evi Kiorri spoke with ICC correspondent and host of the Hague-based Asymmetrical Haircuts podcast, Janet Anderson.
- Visa fler
