Today in the EU

In this episode, the Beyond the Byline podcast looks into the EU’s plan to grant €87 million, alongside new equipment, to Egypt to manage migration in 2024, under a project initiated in 2022.The focus is on enhancing Egypt's naval and border capabilities for surveillance and sea search and rescue. Previous funding supported border management, anti-smuggling efforts, and voluntary returns. Negotiations are also continuing to tie funding to the country for various sectors to International Monetary Fund reform requests.We ask Sergio Carrera, a senior research fellow focusing on EU migration policy at the Centre for European Policy Studies, and Andrew Geddes, the director of the migration policy centre at the European University Institute: How is the EU planning to implement this project and how can it ensure that the funds will be allocated where is necessary?

18 Tammi 202414min

In this episode, Euractiv's Beyond the Byline podcast takes a deep dive into the agreement reached by EU member states to initiate talks with the European Parliament concerning a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine.Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orbán has so far vetoed the EU's proposed €50 billion for the Ukraine Facility fund. The fund aims to provide financial assistance to Kyiv between 2024 and 2027 for its public deficit, essential services, and reconstruction efforts. However, Orbán has indicated he is willing to lift the veto - under certain conditions.We ask Andriy Korniychuk, policy analyst and expert on Ukraine matters at the Foundation for European Progressive Studies: what are these conditions, and why is Hungary considering changing its position?

12 Tammi 202412min

In this episode of EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast, we look into European Council President Charles Michel’s recent announcement that he will step down from his current position and run in the European parliamentary election in June.The prospect of Michel's potential election as an MEP introduces a complex timeline for selecting his successor and raises concerns about a potential power vacuum during Hungary's EU Council presidency.We ask Euractiv's Global Europe Editor Alexandra Brzozowski, and comparative political analyst Catherine Fieschi: What can we make out of this surprise announcement? With the race underway, which other names are in the running for the EU's top jobs?

11 Tammi 202415min

In this special year-end episode, our Beyond the Byline podcast, together with Euractiv’s Alexandra Brzozowski, Benjamin Fox and Julia Tar, takes a closer look at the key topics that shaped our coverage throughout the past 12 months.As 2023 bids us farewell we look at its impact not only for the European Union and its policies but for the entire globe. The ongoing war in Ukraine continued to command our attention in 2023, underscoring the geopolitical tensions that persist in the region. But this year, a new war emerged in Gaza, further highlighting the complex challenges faced by the international community.This year, the EU remained committed to supporting Ukraine, opening accession talks, and advancing its enlargement policy. A notable shift occurred as more member countries elected right-wing governments, sparking discussions on evolving dynamics.The year concluded with the introduction of a migration pact, which pushed for comprehensive and EU-level solutions to processing new arrivals. Beyond Brussels, concerns arose about journalists and politicians falling victim to spyware, prompting the European Commission to advocate for increased regulation to safeguard privacy and security.

21 Joulu 202321min

In this episode of EURACTIV's Beyond the Byline podcast, we look into the crucial discussions at the last European Council summit of 2023, on December 14th and 15th in Brussels.Leaders from the 27 EU member countries are convening to address pivotal issues such as the bloc's enlargement strategy, the war in the Middle East, the EU's long-term budget, and security and defence concerns.We talked to David Rinaldi, the director of studies and policy and Andriy Korniychuk the policy analyst on international relations at the Foundation for European Progressive Studies about what can we expect on Ukraine, EU enlargement and the bloc’s budget.

14 Joulu 202324min

This week, the Beyond the Byline podcast takes stock of what's been happening at the UN's Climate Summit COP28, currently taking place in Dubai.What can we expect from the negotiations? What's the world's reaction been to the summit, and what is currently topping the list of concerns for climate analysts and activists?To answer these questions, we spoke with Preety Bhandari, senior advisor for Climate and Finance at the World Resources Institute and Claire Fyson, climate policy analyst at Climate Analytics, an international science policy institute.

7 Joulu 202319min

This week, the Beyond the Byline podcast delves into the European Commission's recent decision to approve the release of 920 million euros as part of Hungary's recovery and resilience plan. The decision raises concerns over incomplete achievements in areas such as judicial independence and anti-corruption measures. Commissioner Hahn's recent report acknowledges progress but underscores unmet milestones. Beyond the €900 million disbursement, a critical question emerges: Is Hungary, led by Viktor Orbán, strategically wielding its veto power on budget issues and Ukraine support to influence the release of €13 billion in cohesion funding? This potential manoeuvre is viewed as a substantial threat to recent strides in EU rule-of-law progress.We asked Moritz Körner, MEP with the Renew Europe Group, about the Parliament's concerns regarding the rule of law and whether this decision is setting a precedent for other European countries that fail to meet the rule of law requirements.

1 Joulu 202317min

In this episode, the Beyond the Byline podcast looks into the results of the Dutch elections, which saw the party of anti-Islam populist, Geert Wilders, lead the polls.The success of Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) signalled a notable rightwards shift in a country that's seen over a decade of centrist governance.Geert Wilders is now positioned to lead talks for the next governing coalition, potentially becoming the first far-right prime minister of the Netherlands, with the PVV securing 37 seats in the 150-seat lower house of parliament — more than double his previous tally of 17 in the last election.This outcome is sending shockwaves through Europe, where far-right ideologies are gaining momentum.We asked Catherine Fieschi, a comparative political analyst with a focus on populism, authoritarianism and challenges to democracy and representation and a fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre, about the proliferation of far-right governments in the EU - and why Europeans are increasingly turning rightwards in the polls.

24 Marras 202316min