Best Euractiv Podcasts (2024)

1
Elon Musk's Brat Summer 25:18

31m ago25:18

25:18

English singer Charli XCX’s new album, "Brat," is making waves, and Elon Musk, with his legal battles, clashes with the EU, and endorsement of Donald Trump, seems to embody the “brat” vibe. Did you miss the summer drama? Euractiv’s tech team has you covered.By Euractiv

1
What are the controversies around novel foods 12:17

41m ago12:17

12:17

The term “novel foods” is becoming more popular by the day. But to make it to the European supermarkets it needs to be assessed by the EU food safety authority and then get the greenlight from the European Commission. Novel foods include innovative products like cricket flour and UV-treated vegetables, as well as traditional foods from other region…

1
ECB's high-stakes balancing act amid economic turmoil 16:10

1d ago16:10

16:10

The European Central Bank (ECB) is a powerhouse in the EU, wielding influence over financial supervision, foreign exchange reserves, and economic forecasts. The ECB’s main goal is to keep inflation at 2% by adjusting interest rates. Its massive quantitative easing program from 2015 to 2022 aimed to tackle low inflation with trillions of euros. With…

1
Getting Europe's rail system back on track 13:12

2d ago13:12

13:12

Railways are the most environmentally sustainable mode of transport, compared to cars or planes, yet, they remain chronically underfunded and underdeveloped in Europe. High prices, complex booking systems, and a lack of cross-border coordination are just some of the problems making it harder for Europeans to consider trains a reliable and safe opti…

1
Why the European Union became the drug market's next big target 15:45

1h ago15:45

15:45

The European Union is increasingly in the crosshairs of international drug lords, according to the latest data from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) - a growing focus that has led to an increase in drug-related deaths and violence over the past five years, affecting communities across the EU. In this episode, hos…

1
Inside the world of lobbying 12:41

1h ago12:41

12:41

Brussels ranks second only to Washington in the number of lobbyists, with nearly one public affairs representative for every person employed in the European institutions, according to recent data by Lobbycontrol. In the wake of Qatargate, the largest corruption scandal in EU history, that tarnished the credibility of EU institutions, the upcoming m…

1
Summer Top10: The EU Commissioners guessing game 11:44

1h ago11:44

11:44

With the EU elections just days away, speculations about the EU Commissioners are growing louder. If the new European Commission president is selected by July, they'll have the summer to form their College of Commissioners from the nominated candidates. But who is staying, who is going, and who are the new entries? To understand better what is happ…

1
Summer Top10: Why authoritarian leaders are on the rise, according to the latest UN report 15:39

19m ago15:39

15:39

By Euractiv

1
Summer Top10: Ursula von der Leyen: round two 14:18

4h ago14:18

14:18

Ursula von der Leyen convinced 401 members of the European Parliament to vote in her favour, out of 707. This time, she was re-elected as Commission President with a 41-vote lead, emerging from the first plenary with a stronger mandate. Before the vote, von der Leyen delivered a lengthy speech reaching out to centrist and left-wing parties, while e…

1
Summer Top10: What do the UK elections mean for the EU? 12:36

9d ago12:36

12:36

UK citizens head to the polls today for a general election widely expected to end the 14 years of Conservative rule and return the Labour Party to power, prompting questions about what it will mean for the EU-UK relations and why - while Europe is shifting to the right - the UK is turning left. To understand the implications of the vote, the major …

1
Summer Top10: Can Meloni always get what she wants? 10:36

1d ago10:36

10:36

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has successfully leveraged her exclusion from the EU top job talks to reinforce her party's Eurosceptic narrative and position herself as a champion against the EU's elitism. But how is her strategy playing out in Brussels? In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv Italy's Alessia Peretti discuss what Me…

1
Summer Top10: Hungary’s plan to 'make Europe great again' begins 11:17

7d ago11:17

11:17

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer" is a saying that feels particularly relevant in Brussels as Hungary prepares to take over the presidency of the European Council—one of the EU's most crucial brokering positions—in less than a week. From the choice of a provocative motto to its declared priorities, Budapest appears unafraid of esca…

1
Summer Top10: A French non to the far right 11:27

7d ago11:27

11:27

Defying expectations the French left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, overtook Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, coming first during the second and final round of France’s snap elections on Sunday (7 July). The left-wing coalition, however, has not secured an absolute majority, therefore questions arise about who will be the country’s next prim…

1
Summer Top10: Unpacking the European Commission’s Political Guidelines 11:44

6d ago11:44

11:44

As Ursula von der Leyen worked to get re-elected for a second mandate at the European Commission's helm, she offered concessions across the political spectrum and these tactical negotiations have largely shaped the Commission's next mandate. But what does her manifesto entail, and which points will von der Leyen truly prioritise? In this episode, h…

1
Summer Top10: Von der Leyen battles for Parliament support, Orbán forms far-right group 15:30

7d ago15:30

15:30

Ursula von der Leyen is campaigning to secure a second term as Commission president after her party's success in the European Parliament elections and her nomination by EU leaders. She is negotiating with key groups, including the Socialists, the liberals, and the Greens, to secure the 361 votes needed for her confirmation in Parliament. At the sam…

1
Summer Top10: The EU's economic destiny, according to the Letta report 13:16

8d ago13:16

13:16

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…

1
Summer Top10: All that changed on election night 11:25

11d ago11:25

11:25

More than 360 million European citizens had the right to vote in this weekend's European Parliament elections. Across Europe, the overall turnout was around 51%, and the results had knock-on effects on individual countries. Who were the big winners according to the latest exit polls, who were the losers, what happens with the non-affiliated, and in…

1
Summer Top10: Everything we know about the Draghi report 16:56

12d ago16:56

16:56

The forthcoming report by former Italian prime minister and former European central bank president, Mario Draghi, on the future of European competitiveness is a valuable opportunity to shape the EU policy agenda for the coming EU legislative term and beyond. The report will focus on the EU's aim to leverage its numerous strengths and competitive ad…

1
What it takes to halt mass tourism in the EU 16:15

13d ago16:15

16:15

The European Union is expected to welcome 758 million tourists this year, a number equivalent to about 70% of the entire European population, according to the European Travel Commission. Despite tourism’s pivotal role in contributing to the GDP of several countries across the union, more and more communities are exhausted from bearing the brunt of …

1
Wildfires: The prevention tactics the EU must focus on 17:15

26d ago17:15

17:15

Wildfires are once again raging in the south of Europe. With rising temperatures and global warming, wildfires have become a prominent issue for Europe, particularly in the summer, showing that the need for effective prevention and management is critical. But what lessons have we learned in recent years, what is the effectiveness of existing measur…

1
How Scholz's government stabilises despite European instability 15:25

25d ago15:25

15:25

Germany's domestic politics has recently stabilised after a turbulent spring. While Europe faces fresh instability, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government in Germany has taken steps to solidify its position. What measures have been implemented, and how is Germany preparing to take on more responsibility amid potential challenges from the pol…

1
Dissecting Apple's compliance with EU digital competition rules from a civil society perspective 21:43

18d ago21:43

21:43

A group of digital rights organisation said that Apple’s plans to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) are ineffective in a submission to the European Commission. The EU executive has opened three non-compliance investigations into Apple’s plans to conform to the DMA, the bloc’s landmark digital competition law. In one of these investigations,…

1
Paris Olympic games amid political turmoil and protests 10:36

27d ago10:36

10:36

As Paris buzzes with preparations for today's opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games, there's palpable excitement in the air. However, Parisians seem to have mixed feelings about hosting the 2024 Olympics, with murmurs of protests adding an element of tension. The Olympics are set against a backdrop of almost unprecedented political instabili…

1
The next generation of European far-right leaders 15:41

28d ago15:41

15:41

The rise of a young generation of far-right voters - conservative, anti-immigration, and fiercely nationalist - is a phenomenon shaping new electoral strategies all over Europe. Across France and Italy, a strong bond has historically linked prominent far-right parties, from Jordan Bardella’s Rassemblement National to Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d'Ita…

1
Can Europe rely on private capital to achieve its goals? 12:40

1M ago12:40

12:40

It’s no secret that Europe is facing some of the biggest challenges in its history, from the digital and green transition to climate adaptation and mitigation, along with the need to boost its security and defence resources and enhance its competitiveness. But how does Europe plan to fund its ambitious plans? In this episode, we are joined by Thoma…

1
Power moves in EU Parliament: Committee claims and chair votes 12:48

21d ago12:48

12:48

It’s a busy summer for the European Parliament, with this week seeing the formation of committees and MEPs voting on the committee chairmanship on Tuesday (23 July). The major political groups in Parliament are already staking their claims on committees that align with their policy proposals, and are collaborating to create a cordon sanitaire, ensu…

1
Unpacking the European Commission’s Political Guidelines 11:44

22d ago11:44

11:44

As Ursula von der Leyen worked to get re-elected for a second mandate at the European Commission's helm, she offered concessions across the political spectrum and these tactical negotiations have largely shaped the Commission's next mandate. But what does her manifesto entail, and which points will von der Leyen truly prioritise? In this episode, h…

1
Ursula von der Leyen: round two 14:18

1M ago14:18

14:18

Ursula von der Leyen convinced 401 members of the European Parliament to vote in her favour, out of 707. This time, she was re-elected as Commission President with a 41-vote lead, emerging from the first plenary with a stronger mandate. Before the vote, von der Leyen delivered a lengthy speech reaching out to centrist and left-wing parties, while e…

1
UK PM Keir Starmer hosts his first European Political Community Summit 11:35

26d ago11:35

11:35

Today (17 July) marks new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's debut on the international political scene as he hosts the European Political Community (EPC) Summit, where 50 leaders from all over the world will discuss a hot list of topics, including rebuilding closer ties between the UK and the EU, four years after Brexit. In this episode, host G…

1
Everything we know about the first Strasbourg plenary 11:46

27d ago11:46

11:46

Newly elected and re-elected members of the European Parliament gather in Strasbourg for the first plenary session of the new mandate. Roberta Metsola has been re-elected as President of the European Parliament, but all eyes are on Ursula von der Leyen and her re-election as Commission President. What makes this plenary session so crucial, and what…

1
Does the EU need a second parliament in Strasbourg? 12:17

30d ago12:17

12:17

Exorbitant costs, carbon emissions, and time management are some of the reasons for scrapping the monthly commute of the entire European Parliament to Strasbourg, according to advocates of the idea. However, the dual residency of the institution is deeply rooted in European history and is actively supported by activists in the French city. In this …

1
‘Heat under your feet’ tops Hungarian EU Council presidency’s energy agenda 13:24

29d ago13:24

13:24

Although geothermal energy is a small part of the EU’s renewable energy mix, it has significant potential as a stable and local source in the bloc’s quest for energy independence. The issue has now been revived under the Hungarian EU presidency, which began at the start of July, as EU energy ministers meet to discuss this type of energy on Monday (…

1
The rise of three far-right groups in the European Parliament 13:50

1M ago13:50

13:50

The European Parliament, the biggest democratic institution in the world, now features three far-right groups. Two of them, Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations, emerged only this week, from the ashes of failed alliance negotiations. Why couldn’t the far right unite, and what does their failure to form a single bloc mean for the Euro…

1
Inside Hungary’s turbulent first ten days leading the EU Council Presidency 15:31

1M ago15:31

15:31

EU ambassadors met yesterday (July 10th) to prepare a joint response after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s unexpected visit to see Putin as part of a 'peace mission'. The friendly nature of the discussions between the two leaders in Moscow upset EU ambassadors, as Hungary used the European Council presidency’s logo in background communicati…

1
Unity, Ukraine and the future of NATO at the DC Summit 13:53

1M ago13:53

13:53

This week all eyes are on the NATO summit taking place in Washington DC, marking the military alliance’s 75th anniversary with a collective message about unity. NATO leaders will discuss various topics, but the elephant in the room is the potential membership of Ukraine. But what other issues will be on the agenda, and which factors challenge NATO’…

1
EU rockets back into the space competition 13:25

1M ago13:25

13:25

Today the European Union launches a rocket into space, for the first time since the war in Ukraine began. Named Ariane 6 it symbolises a renewed hope that Europe will gain ground in the new space race. But the challenges ahead are plenty. Can Europe catch up? In this episode, host Giada Santana and science freelance journalist Senne Starckx discuss…

1
A French 'non' to the far right 11:27

1M ago11:27

11:27

Defying expectations the French left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, overtook Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, coming first during the second and final round of France’s snap elections on Sunday (7 July). The left-wing coalition, however, has not secured an absolute majority, therefore questions arise about who will be the country’s next prim…

1
Europe’s quest for critical raw materials 21:10

2M ago21:10

21:10

The EU has set ambitious goals for securing its supply of critical raw materials, which are key to the digital and green transitions. Today we talk to Chad Blewitt, managing director of the Jadar Project, a highly-anticipated and highly-delayed lithium mining site in Serbia. Jadar is operated by Rio Tinto, the world’s second largest mining company.…

1
Will European Commission let AI providers write their own rules? 11:52

1M ago11:52

11:52

Despite the EU’s attempts to keep up with the breakneck speed of AI's progress, NGOs fear the bloc is taking a step back in the demanding fight to regulate the technology. Reports suggest that the European Commission plans to assign the delicate task of drafting codes of practice for OpenAI and other general providers to industry actors themselves,…

1
What do the UK elections mean for the EU? 12:36

2M ago12:36

12:36

UK citizens head to the polls today for a general election widely expected to end the 14 years of Conservative rule and return the Labour Party to power, prompting questions about what it will mean for the EU-UK relations and why - while Europe is shifting to the right - the UK is turning left. To understand the implications of the vote, the major …

1
EU farm animal welfare: Time for an overhaul? 31:26

1M ago31:26

31:26

In this Policy Triangle, supported by Humane Society International/Europe, we delve into the state of farm animal welfare in the EU. The European Commission proposed an overhaul of EU rules for protecting animals in transport and introduced new regulations on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats in December 2023. However, the rules regardi…

1
Von der Leyen battles for Parliament support, Orbán forms far-right group 15:30

2M ago15:30

15:30

Ursula von der Leyen is campaigning to secure a second term as Commission president after her party's success in the European Parliament elections and her nomination by EU leaders. She is negotiating with key groups, including the Socialists, the liberals, and the Greens, to secure the 361 votes needed for her confirmation in Parliament. At the sam…

1
Are EU countries at risk of missing EU climate targets? 12:20

2M ago12:20

12:20

Sunday (30 June) marked the deadline for EU countries to submit their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP), outlining how each member state will deliver domestically on the EU’s emission goals by 2030. However, only a handful of countries have met the deadline so far. Is the EU at risk of missing its climate neutrality target? In this episode, …

1
French far-fight defeats Macron’s centrists 12:57

1M ago12:57

12:57

The French headed to the polls to decide on their next government after President Emmanuel Macron announced a snap election a few weeks ago. Jordan Bardella’s far-right Rassemblement National emerged victorious in this first round of legislative elections, with a record score of 34%. But what signals is this result sending ahead of the definitive s…

1
Can Meloni always get what she wants? 10:36

2M ago10:36

10:36

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has successfully leveraged her exclusion from the EU top job talks to reinforce her party's Eurosceptic narrative and position herself as a champion against the EU's elitism. But how is her strategy playing out in Brussels? In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv Italy's Alessia Peretti discuss what Me…

1
EU leaders to decide on top jobs, agenda for next term 11:48

2M ago11:48

11:48

EU leaders are gathering in Brussels as of Thursday (26 June) for the last summit under the current mandate, to seal the deal on the distribution of the bloc's top jobs following the June European elections. At the same time, they will be addressing a swath of key policy issues for the EU and agree on the EU's strategic agenda, a policy plan that s…

1
Hungary’s plan to 'make Europe great again' begins 11:17

2M ago11:17

11:17

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer" is a saying that feels particularly relevant in Brussels as Hungary prepares to take over the presidency of the European Council—one of the EU's most crucial brokering positions—in less than a week. From the choice of a provocative motto to its declared priorities, Budapest appears unafraid of esca…

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