Today in the EU

This week, Euractiv’s Beyond the Byline podcast looks into the hotly contested report on the regulation of sex work.EU lawmakers adopted a report advocating the decriminalisation of people engaged in sex work, while suggesting the 'punishment' but not criminalisation of those who use their services.The report, although lacking direct legislative impact, sparked controversy as it initially proposed the Nordic model, criminalising sex buyers, but later opted for a milder stance.It also called for support and exit programmes for sex workers, highlighting a division among MEPs on the issue of whether buyers should be criminalised and if prostitution should be viewed as gender-based violence or a profession.We talked with the rapporteur of the report, MEP Maria Noichl, and Euractiv’s journalist Silvia Ellena to better understand what the report is about.We also talked with MEP Karen Melchior and Sabrina Sanchez, director of the European Sex Workers Alliance, to find out what was not considered during the report and how this report could affect sex workers and the regulation of prostitution.

28 Sep 202315min

This week in a special episode for EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast we explore the challenges and resilience of European farmers within the context of food chains and sustainable food production.We delve into the recent State of the Union address by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, where she expressed gratitude to farmers and emphasised the shift towards sustainable agriculture.Discover how farmers and cooperatives are facing issues like generational renewal and administrative burdens while advocating for coordinated policies and funds to support sustainable farming.We asked Peeter Meedendorp, President of CEJA Young Farmers and Karl Bauer, Chairman of Copa Cogeca's Working Party on Rural Development, how farmers can maintain the balance between food security and nature protection, the importance of dialogue, and the evolving agricultural landscape in the EU.

21 Sep 202316min

This week, EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast brings you a breakdown of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's annual State of the European Union (SOTEU) speech on Wednesday (13 September). In her final SOTEU address under the current mandate, von der Leyen used the speech to lay out her achievements - and hopes for the future - for European citizens across areas such as the economy, climate change, and migration.As rumours swirl as to whether she intends to throw her hat into the ring for a second mandate as Commission president, von der Leyen has remained staunchly silent. However, some saw elements of her speech as subtly laying the groundwork for a bid for another term.The speech did not introduce any significant new policy initiatives, with the EU's climate package, the Green Deal, alongside the economy and migration taking up most of the space.To break down von der Leyen's speech we spoke with Frédéric Simon (Euractiv’s Energy and environment editor), János Allenbach-Ammann (Euractiv’s Economy and Jobs editor), Sean Goulding Carroll (Euractiv’s Transport editor), Alexandra Brzozowski (Euractiv’s editor for Global Europe), Eleonora Vasques (Euractiv’s reporter on politics), Julia Tar (Euractiv’s reporter on Technology), Marta Iraola (Euractiv’s reporter on Health).

14 Sep 202328min

This week, EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast looks into the EU’s enlargement strategy.With Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine bringing the topic of EU enlargement back into sharp focus, the next political season could be crunch time for decisions that will shape the Union of the future.EU Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi stated that enlargement by 2030 is possible, but depends on efforts from both candidate countries and the EU. The European Commission plans to make significant proposals in October, including a Growth Plan to increase investment in the Western Balkans. But what is the plan, and what are the key dates to look out for regarding decision-making?

7 Sep 20239min

EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast is back and this week, we're looking at the wildfires that have devastated regions across southern Europe.The continent was once again battling scorching temperatures this summer, with wildfires blazing across Europe from Portugal to Greece. The latter is still battling with the largest wildfire in the EU since 2000.The damage to the ecosystem and the natural resources on the entire continent has been devastating, with the fire destroying everything in its path.In northern Greece, which was the worst hit by wildfires this summer, the fire has burned more than 810 square kilometres of land – an area bigger than New York City.This week we ask Christiana Photiadou (expert on climate change vulnerability and adaptation at the European Environment Agency), Zita Sebasvari (environmental scientist focusing on disaster risk reduction) and Lindon Pronto (senior fire management expert at the European Forest Institute and ex firefighter): What is driving the fires, how can prevention measures be improved, and how can ecosystems recover?

31 Aug 202326min

In the last episode before the summer break, EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast looks into the summer strikes across the continent. As Europe enters the summer season, a wave of transport strikes is causing significant disruptions to travel across the continent. Employees from various sectors, including air traffic controllers, security staff, cabin crews, and train personnel, are taking a stand demanding fair treatment, higher wages, and improved working conditions. These strikes have impacted airports, rail services, and other modes of transport in countries like France, England, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, and Portugal. With no end in sight for some of these industrial actions, travellers should brace themselves for potential delays and cancellations while unions continue to protest for their rights.

27 Juli 202310min

This week on EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast looks into the hotly contested nature restoration law, recently passed by a narrow margin within the EU.Aligned with President Ursula von der Leyen's ambitious European Green Deal, this legislation aims to protect nature by implementing recovery measures on 20% of the EU's land and sea by 2030, with a long-term vision of covering all degraded ecosystems by 2050. However, the road to adoption was far from smooth, as lawmakers in Strasbourg had to navigate heated debates and opposition campaigns, resulting in a revised proposal. How is the nature restoration law being politicised in the European parliament and what lies ahead?

20 Juli 202313min

In this week’s episode of EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast, we look at how a contentious migration law collapsed the Dutch government, marking the end of 13 years of leadership for the country's prime minister, Mark Rutte.The government's months-long negotiations to curb the influx of new migrants into the Netherlands were marred by political infighting, with limits on family reunification and the establishment of a two-tier asylum system proving particularly divisive.The events also speak to the significance of migration as a touchstone issue in EU politics, which is expected to be a hot topic in the upcoming European elections of 2024.

13 Juli 202315min