Episódios
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Not many could have guessed that the 2024 railway accident in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, would spark some of the largest protests in the country’s post-Soviet history, ultimately leading to Prime Minister Miloš Vučević's resignation.
While demonstrators are demanding accountability for the 15 lives lost in the railway ceiling collapse, they also want greater transparency and the rule of law enforcement. But Serbia’s political landscape offers little in the way of real opposition to President Aleksandar Vučić.
How did the country reach this breaking point? And what comes next?
In this episode, producer Charles Cohen speaks with Engjellushe Morina, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, to unpack the roots of Serbia’s mass protests and what lies ahead.
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European Commission's President von der Leyen unveils today her 'North Star' of economic strategy: the Competitiveness Compass. Beyond the motto of simplifying and unifying, the document has drawn praise from businesses and raised alarms among unions. What impact will it have on the Union's economic future?
In this episode, host Giada Santana talks to Euractiv's economy reporter, Thomas Moller-Nielsen, to unpack the Compass' key takeaways.
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By becoming the moderate face of the AfD, Alice Weidel helped transform the party from a fringe movement into a dominant force, forcing its rivals to rethink their electoral strategy. However, Weidel's private life reveals contradictions some argue clash with the traditional values of the far-right movement.
She has lived abroad, is openly in a same-sex relationship, and splits her time between Germany and Switzerland. But rather than hindering her rise, these complexities have fuelled Weidel's climb to power, positioning the 46-year-old as a contender for the chancellorship.
In this episode, host Giada Santana is joined by Berlin-based politics reporter Nick Alipour to examine the AfD's transformation under Weidel’s leadership.
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The European Union approved its first-ever crisis response unit, a 5,000-strong force designed to address threats outside its borders. However, as EU foreign ministers convene today to once again deliberate on Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, one thing seems clear: the newly minted crisis unit doesn't look set to be heading to Kyiv – or anywhere else – in the immediate future.
Why is the EU keeping its crisis response corps on standby during one of the most significant security challenges in its modern history? And if Ukraine is off the table, what types of crises or regions might eventually trigger their first mission?
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Greenland has come into the limelight after Donald Trump suggested buying the island in late December. The controversy reignited a wish for independence in the world's largest island, and thrown the government in Copenhagen into a political quagmire.
In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with politics reporter Magnus Lund Nielsen, who has been covering the latest developments in Greenland on the ground for the past two weeks.
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As European leaders and the world's most powerful companies descended upon Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum this week, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used the summit to unveil plans aimed at boosting the EU’s competitiveness, expanding trade, and attracting much-needed talent.
But is the market buying into it? Business leaders might see the EU blueprint short on specifics, as sluggish growth continues to weigh on the bloc, and the potential effects of US tariffs remain difficult to gauge. Can Brussels steer Europe through mounting global challenges? And how robust is its economic playbook for the future?
In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with economy reporter Thomas Moller Nielsen about the EU’s stance on innovation, competitiveness, and tariffs as publicised in Davos.
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The EU is facing some serious questions about the lack of robust counter-intelligence measures after an investigation revealed that Hungarian secret forces spied on the European Anti-Fraud Office between 2015 and 2017. During this time, the office investigated corruption linked to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's son-in-law.
How could the espionage go unnoticed for three years? And what does it say about the EU’s counter-intelligence efforts – or lack thereof?
In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Szabolcs Panyi, the lead Hungarian journalist who uncovered the spy scandal, and Greens MEP Daniel Freund about the EU's failure to shield its civil servants from foreign espionage.
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For his first full day in office as 47th president, Donald Trump is expected to sign as many as 100 executive orders on climate, tariffs and national security. Meanwhile, the European Union remains without clear leadership, as member states such as France, Germany, and Austria grapple with domestic political challenges. What did Trump pledge in his inauguration speech? And what could his presidency mean for Europe?
In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Peter Rough, Director of the Center on Europe at the Hudson Institute, and Jeremy Shapiro, Research Director at the European Council on Foreign Relations, to explore the implications of Trump’s return to the White House.
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German carmakers are under pressure. They must meet new EU carbon emission targets. Chinese manufacturers are gaining ground with cheaper, subsidized electric vehicles. A new German government could bring policy changes for the industry.
How are German carmakers trying to save the EV market?
In this episode, host Giada Santana talks to Jasper Steinlein, a reporter covering energy, the environment, and transport. They discuss the crisis facing German carmakers and how political parties are promising to fix it.
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Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks are hanging by a thread, despite months of brokering from Qatar, Egypt and the United States. Talks are stalling over how far Israeli troops should withdraw, according to what an informed US official told the Associated Press.
Despite contributing over €500 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians over the past 25 years—and pledging another €120 million—the EU still doesn’t have a seat at the table.
So, why isn't Brussels be part of the peace process?
In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Relief International Gaza Program Manager Yara Mowafy about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. To analyze the EU's involvement, she interviews ECFR Middle East expert Hugh Lovatt.
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The incoming Trump presidency is changing the rules of the game for big tech compliance with digital EU regulation. Meta axed its fact-checking team in the United States, while Google did similarly in the EU. On X, Musk now wields the platform as a political megaphone.
The potential political ramifications – particularly in terms of misinformation and political interference – are hard to gauge. What tools does the world’s most powerful regulatory force have to shield online users from harm?
In this episode, host Giada Santana and tech reporter Anupriya Datta discuss X and Meta's latest developments and whether the DSA can hold them accountable.
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For the next six months, Poland will chair the Presidency of the Council of the EU and coordinate the 27 member states under the motto ‘Security, Europe!’. But even just convincing countries to agree on what security means will be extremely difficult.
So, how is the Polish presidency preparing for its mandate?
"The big task for the Polish presidency will be to foster unity in terms of sending support, money, and equipment to Ukraine," said Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Poland's EU affairs undersecretary. But looking at the last years, not all members are on the same page.
In this episode, host Giada Santana interviews Sobkowiak-Czarnecka to find out how Poland plans to steer its presidency.
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Leaders meet today to coordinate on how to better defend the Baltic Sea after the latest incident saw the cutting of four internet and one power transmission cable on Christmas day. EU officials suspect Russia is behind the sabotage. If they are right, this attack marks a step up in the Kremlin’s hybrid warfare strategy.
"Towards the end at least of the Cold War, everyone learned the rules. Now, we are much less certain of what the other side wants to communicate”, said historian Vladislav Zubok,"and that for me, is rather disconcerting".
In this episode, host Giada Santana analyzes the latest cable-cutting incident with defense editor Aurelie Pugnet and energy & climate reporter Niko Kurmayer. Expert Vladislav Zubok chimes in to draw parallels between now and the Cold War
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The bloc of populists within the European Union might soon expand to include Austria. Herbert Kickl is likely to become Austria’s next Chancellor. Until recently, even his own party thought he was too extreme for the job. Now, his rise comes at a crucial time for Europe’s security concerns, especially given the politician’s favorable stance towards the Kremlin. But Brussels has more than one tool to retaliate.
How did Austria get here? And what might Kickl’s leadership mean for the future of the country—and the EU?
In this episode, host Giada Santana interviews Karnitschnig to discuss Austria’s political shift and its implications for Europe.
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In this episode, we revisit a significant development in the transatlantic tech landscape: Elon Musk’s controversial appointment as head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its potential impact on EU-US relations.
Host Giada Santana and Euractiv's Eliza Gritski explore the EU’s probe into X, the implications of Musk’s new role, and what this means for the future of EU digital policy and transatlantic relations.[Note: This episode was originally published on Nov 18th.]
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In this episode, we look back at a critical development in Europe’s green agenda: Teresa Ribera’s appointment by President von der Leyen to steer Europe’s green transition while ensuring its competitiveness.
Host Giada Santana and Environment hub editor Donagh Cagney delve into the commissioner nominees and discuss the future of EU energy and environment policy.
[Note: This episode was originally published on Sep 19th.]
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In this episode, we revisit a pivotal moment in EU politics: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s unveiling of her proposed team of European Commissioners.
Host Evi Kiorri speaks with politics reporter Nicoletta Ionta to unpack the implications of these changes for EU governance.
[Note: This episode was originally published on Sep 18th.]
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In this episode, we revisit an important discussion from November 21st, when EU economy ministers convened to tackle the future of EU-US trade relations.
With the prospect of a protectionist, pro-tariff Trump administration looming, the talks were anything but straightforward. Key industries like Germany’s automotive sector are already under significant pressure, and the risk of a broader trade war remains a serious concern. How is Europe preparing to adapt to a potentially shifting US trade agenda?
In this episode, host Evi Kiorri speaks with Euractiv's economy reporter Thomas Nielsen Moeller to explore the strategies at play.
[Note: This episode was originally published on Nov 21st.]
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As we reflect on the key milestones of the past year, we revisit the conclusion of a historic trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) on December 6th. After 25 years of negotiations, the deal will create one of the world’s largest free trade zones.
In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro delve into the details of the EU-Mercosur deal and explore the controversies surrounding it.
[Note: This episode was originally published on Dec 9th.]
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