Today in the EU

The European Parliament hearings of Commissioner-designates will start on Monday afternoon (4 November), but unlike in previous hearings, the European People’s Party (EPP) seems to have the upper hand.With 26 nominees lined up for vetting, each committee in the European Parliament will have the opportunity to scrutinise the candidates' expertise and suitability for their roles. While these hearings are intended to assess competence, they are also likely to reflect underlying political alliances, rivalries and strategic timing that could affect the outcome and timing of each appointment.The EPP, the largest group in the European Parliament, is poised to leverage its position to push through favoured candidates and ultimately shape both the composition and agenda of the incoming Commission.To look into the hearings, host Evi Kiorri is joined by Euractiv's politics reporters Magnus Lund Nielsen and Nicoletta Ionta.[Edited by Daniel Eck]

4 Nov 202414min

According to a landmark report by former Finnish president Sauli Niinistö, the EU has much to change to be prepared for future crises.The report’s reality check, as he calls it in one paragraph, spans a wide range of recommendations, from climate change management to intel sharing. The Nordic politician suggests the EU could benefit from Finland’s history, at a time when the world faces the most conflicts since 1945. Instability calls for widespread responsibilities, and citizens are at the forefront, says the outgoing president. How should the EU prepare for upcoming challenges? In this episode, host Giada Santana and politics reporter Nicholas Wallace delve into EU-NATO competition, Niinistö’s intelligence unit proposal, and a dash of Finnish history.

31 Okt 202415min

Today, the European Commission unveils its 2024 Enlargement Package, a set of documents shaping Brussels' engagement with Eastern Europe.Last year's document introduced unprecedented policies, including a revamped accession process for the Western Balkans and a pathway for Ukraine to join the Union. As Putin's grip on the region tightens, the EU faces growing pressure to strengthen its enlargement policy quickly. How will the EU respond?In this episode, host Giada Santana and policy analyst Teona Lavrelashvili discuss the successes and failures of EU enlargement policy against t Eastern Europe’s evolving political landscape.

30 Okt 202415min

Last weekend's parliamentary elections in Georgia have sparked significant controversy amid allegations of electoral manipulation before and during polling day.  Key concerns include supposed vote-buying targeting vulnerable groups, misuse of administrative power, and possible tampering with new electronic voting systems. Accusations suggest the ruling Georgian Dream party used voter intimidation and criminal networks to sway results. Despite pre-election opinion and exit polls indicating different outcomes, Georgian Dream claimed a decisive victory, prompting opposition parties, the president, and the public to question the legitimacy of the result. With international observers noting irregularities and EU officials calling for investigations, the situation underscores a serious challenge for Georgia's democratic future and its EU integration ambitions. Host Evi Kiorri spoke with Dr Tinatin Akhvlediani, a research fellow in the EU Foreign Policy Unit at CEPS, to analyse the situation in Georgia.[Edited by Rajnish Singh]

29 Okt 202413min

With just seven days until the year's most crucial election taking place in the United States, EU political leaders are reluctant to give opinions on future legislation coming from Capital Hill.Given the backdrop of Russian interference, AI-driven disinformation campaigns, and two assassination attempts, the US election campaign may seem like a quagmire for Brussels — a situation best avoided. Is the EU’s strategy of maintaining a low profile a wise approach, and how might this reluctance influence the future of transatlantic relations? In this episode, host Giada Santana and politics reporter Magnus Lund Nielsen discuss the latest polls, the clashes between Harris and Trump, and Brussels' strategic positioning, featuring insights from Renew’s Vera Jourova.

28 Okt 202413min

Moldova and Georgia are at a crossroads in their paths toward European integration. Just recently, Moldova held a constitutional referendum where voters expressed their desire to enshrine EU aspirations. The contest turned out to be tighter than expected, with allegations of Russian interference and vote-buying. Further southeast on the continent, Georgian voters are preparing to cast their ballots in parliamentary elections this Saturday (October 26). The ruling party's close ties to Moscow and controversial policies raise questions about the country's EU candidacy.To better understand the importance of the elections in Moldova and Georgia and the challenges in their European ambitions, host Evi Kiorri spoke with Dr Tinatin Akhvlediani, research fellow in the EU Foreign Policy Unit at CEPS.

25 Okt 202413min

The commissioners-designate have responded to questions posed by the European Parliament in writing, kick-starting the first phase of their hearings in early November (4th to 12th).For most members of the European Parliament, there seems to be a collective sense that this composition represents the best possible outcome, given the competing political forces involved. As a result, most political groups appear content in pushing the selection process forward, avoiding excessive scrutiny, which could potentially unravel the entire arrangement.While things seem stable during this initial phase, there may still be commissioners-designate who fail to make it through the final round.Who might be excluded and what impact could this have on the appointment of the next College of Commissioners?To break this down, our host Evi Kiorri is joined by our politics reporter, Magnus Lund Nielsen, who has the inside information from Strasbourg.[Edited by Rajnish Singh]

24 Okt 202414min

Outsourcing the management of migrants is back on the European Parliament's agenda on Wednesday, with EU groups likely to clash over the viability of return centres similar to the one set up under the Italy-Albania deal.This comes after a Rome court forced the government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to take back the 16 migrants it had sent to the newly set up detention centre in Albania because of their age, poor health, and unsafe country of origin.While the country has since elevated its list of safe countries to primary law in an attempt to override looming court cases, it remains unclear whether it will survive future legal challenges to its migration policies.Join host Giada Santana and politics reporter Nicoletta Ionta as they take a closer look at why the current debate on return hubs is worrying law experts, with the contribution of senior research fellow Sergio Carrera.

23 Okt 202416min