What Roswall’s Clean Industrial Deal means for environmental policy
Today, the Commission unveils its rebranded Green Deal, signalling a new approach to industrial policy. The draft of the proposal obtained by Euractiv last week suggests a less-than-green path for Europe’s industrial revival, with a clear focus on slashing red tape. In doing so, however, it appears environmental safeguards may take a back seat. This negligence comes on top of unresolved issues on the regulation of forever chemicals, EU-wide waste management, and the sourcing of critical minerals – all challenges at the core of Commissioner Jessica Roswall’s mandate. So, what are her true priorities? In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv’s environment reporter, Barbara Machado, explore the key elements of the proposal and what it means for environmental protection.
25 Feb 18min
Why the German election is still not over
Yesterday, fifty-nine million voters cast their ballots in what is considered a defining election for Europe’s future. It was a big night for the Christian Democrats, which came out on top. This is a good reason for Merz, the likely next chancellor, to celebrate – but maybe not too hard, as the far-right AfD is now the second force in parliament. For the Social Democrats, it was more of an existential crisis, performing the lowest score ever in a result that Scholz himself described as a "defeat." But what happens next? And what does Merz hold for the future of the EU? Euractiv’s editor-in-chief Matthew Karnitschnig and German bureau chief Nick Alipour reacted to the results as they were coming in from our Berlin office.
24 Feb 22min
EU top diplomat Kallas on 'Russian traps' and European red lines
The first round of US-Russia talks on a potential Ukraine peace deal kicked off yesterday in Riyadh – behind closed doors and without a single European or Ukrainian representative. The meeting caps off a week of American shock therapy for the continent, from Trump’s call with Putin to tough talk from US top brass in Munich, which sent shockwaves to Brussels and Kyiv, leaving them wondering about their role – if any – in the deal. Zelenskyy has insisted no deal happens without Kyiv while EU leaders met for an emergency meeting in Paris on Monday, though there was little they could agree on. But if European leaders are not at the negotiation table, how will they make their voices heard? And how does Brussels guarantee Ukraine will only accept a deal that meets their demands? To answer these questions, Euractiv’s chief diplomatic correspondent, Alexandra Brzozowski, sat down with the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas.
19 Feb 10min
Europe’s desperate bid to shape Ukraine’s Trump deal in Munich
Last weekend, Munich hosted the world’s premier geopolitical forum amid shifting alliances and rising tensions across country lines. In the Bavarian capital leaders convened to debate on everything from global governance to climate security. But the real question for Europeans remains how the ongoing war in Ukraine will end, and on whose terms after Trump held a “lengthy and productive” call with Putin last week. Will Europe play a role in shaping the outcome, or will it be forced to accept a deal dictated by Washington? In this episode, producer Charles Cohen and Chief Diplomatic Correspondent Alexandra Brzozowski go through highlights and lowlights from the Munich Security Conference.
17 Feb 12min
Why Valentine’s Day will taste more bitter this year
Are you looking forward to celebrating the day of love? You’re not the only one. For food producers, the day is a test of how far consumers are willing to stretch their budgets. After all, chocolate prices have been skyrocketing due to a perfect storm of supply chain disruptions, climate change, and energy crisis. Only in December 2024, cocoa bean prices surged by 250%. How is inflation shaping broader food trends in Europe? And what alternatives to cocoa beans chocolate could we soon see? In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro explore how the food market is adapting to unprecedented costs.
14 Feb 12min
What a supermarket boycott has to do with the Romanian election
Across the Western Balkans and beyond, the eye watering prices of food products have led citizens to successfully boycott supermarkets in the past two weeks. In Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, sales were down to 30% or more. This weekend, Calin Georgescu, polls’ frontrunner in Romania, called on people to boycott foreign-owned supermarkets, “to support Romanian producers.” In November, the relatively unknown independent politician turned Tiktok star. Georgescu won the first round of the presidential election. However, the country’s top court then annulled the result over alleged Russian interference. How has Georgescu’s platform changed since? And what strategy is the government adopting against foreign interference ahead of the next elections in May? In this episode, host Giada Santana and Bucharest-based Global Focus think thank director Oana Popescu – Zamfir analyse the supermarket boycott phenomenon, and the road ahead the Romanian election.
13 Feb 17min
What the EU can expect from NATO talks
NATO members are meeting in Brussels today for the first time since Trump took office to discuss defence spending pledges, GDP targets, and weapons delivery to Kyiv. The bloc is feeling the pressure. Trump infamously said he could end the war in 24 hours – yet in politics, 24 hours can change a lot. This meeting is a chance to show the US that the EU countries are doing their part in the Alliance, but there is a nagging doubt this may not be enough to persuade Washington to stay on in Ukraine. So, what deliverables can we expect from NATO talks? And is Europe ready to assert its role in the Ukraine peace plan? In this episode, host Giada Santana and defence editor Aurelie Pugnet talk about the NATO meeting ahead and MEP Virginijus Sinkevicius speaks about Ukraine's bargaining chips.
12 Feb 17min
