Today in the EU

In this episode of our daily ‘Today in the EU’ podcast, we take a deep dive into the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).The EU’s economic chief Paolo Gentiloni called for turning the bloc’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) into a “permanent” resource, arguing that its temporary nature  hasn't helped the programme would unleash its full potential. However, the European Court of Auditors is warning about the risk of frauds when it comes to EU funds after cases of embezzlement were detected in Greece and Italy.To break this topic down we have with us Euractiv's economy hub: Anna Brunetti, Thomas Moeller Nielsen and Jonathan Packroff.

12 Apr 202415min

The European Parliament confronts the Council and the Commission today about the political developments that have swept Slovakia.On Sunday (7 April), Slovaks elected Peter Pellegrini, an ally of populist pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico, as the country's new president, boosting the pro-Moscow forces' grip on power.The European Commission has already threatened to freeze funds for Bratislava in response, but that might make the Eurosceptic prime minister even more popular. After the backsliding in Hungary under Viktor Orban, can the EU stop another country in the union from eroding its democracy?We invited Zuzana Gabrižová, editor-in-chief of Euractiv Slovakia, to help us analyse the situation.

11 Apr 202412min

In this episode of our ‘Today in the EU’ podcast we are looking into the vote on the controversial migration pact.Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will discuss and vote on ten new bills updating the EU asylum and migration rules, emphasising cooperation and mandatory but flexible solidarity.The final legislative activity in migration and asylum takes place at plenary today, where the Commission and the Belgian Council Presidency share the results of the Migration and Asylum Pact discussions. The agreed texts, seek to strengthen European state collaboration and the EU's crisis response.We sat down with Eleonora Vasques and Aurélie Pugnet from Euractiv’s politics hub, to discuss how the vote will pan out and what does it all mean for member states?

10 Apr 202414min

In this episode of our daily ‘Today in the EU’ podcast, we examine the latest scandal to affect Germany's right-wing populist AfD party.Far from new to scandals, alarm bells have started ringing after senior member Petr Bystron, who is running for European Parliament in the June elections, was reportedly caught accepting money from the pro-Russian disinformation site, the Voice of Europe.But is he the only one, and with just two months until Europe heads to the polls, is Parliament ready to tackle this scandal? To answer these burning questions and delve deeper into the scandal shaking EU and German politics, I am joined by Kjeld Neubert, Euractiv's politics reporter in Berlin.

9 Apr 202415min

In the latest episode of our daily podcast Today in the EU, we take a look at the consequences of political polarisation in Poland. October 2023 marked the end of eight years of the nationalist government of the Law and Justice party in Poland, with the election of pro-EU veteran Donald Tusk. Brussels welcomed his rise to power and unfroze billions in funds to Poland. But change does not happen overnight. Tusk is now confronted with an electorate divided over how the government should address farmers' protests, the cost of living crisis, and hostile attitudes towards the European Union. Will he succeed in steering Poland away from Euroscepticism?

8 Apr 202413min

In this episode of Today in the EU, we are looking at how the EU is responding to Israel’s attack that killed humanitarian workers in Gaza on Monday night.European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell both called for a thorough investigation into the Israeli military attack in Gaza. Borrell described IDF’s military actions as appalling and called for an immediate ceasefire while the EU institutions’ sentiment towards Israeli military forces seems to have taken a sharp turn. But EU countries are far from being united on the issue.To discuss the latest developments we spoke with Euractiv’s Spanish correspondent Fernando Heller.

5 Apr 202413min

In the latest episode of our daily podcast 'Today in the EU', we’re looking at the NATO foreign affairs ministers' meeting taking place in Brussels.As NATO marks its 75th anniversary, the alliance reflects on its times of peace and stability, as it faces two crucial challenges. Navigating the selection of a new Secretary-General and its relations with Russia.To discuss what we should keep an eye on regarding the NATO meeting we spoke with Aurelie Pugnet, Euractiv’s politics editor.

4 Apr 202414min

In this episode of our daily Today in the EU podcast, we are talking about Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s effort to gain support from both ends of the political spectrum.Von der Leyen faces a tricky dilemma as she will have to woo right-wing voters, including new members of the European Parliament, without scaring away the left-of-centre parties, whose votes she needs to win her second term. But what will keeping this precarious balance look like for von der Leyen? How is she going to get the best of both worlds?To get a better understanding, we invited Nick Alipour, Euractiv’s Berlin-based politics reporter.

3 Apr 202413min