Today in the EU

This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on several EU countries' decisions to prolong using coal while others, like Germany, mull whether existing nuclear power plants should continue. So how does the European Commission plan to tackle the issue, and what is at stake for the Green Deal? To hear more on this story, I spoke to  Aneta Zachova from EURACTIV Czechia, Niko Kurmayer from EURACTIV Germany, and our Environment and energy reporter Kira Taylor from Brussels. We also discuss why a proposal that regional political parties provide financial aid to Ukraine was halted in Western Pomerania. I spoke with Julia Dahm from EURACTIV Germany to find out more.

17 Mars 202220min

This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the informal summit of EU leaders this Thursday in Versailles. What can we expect from the meeting, and what options are the EU considering for the bloc’s defence? I spoke with EURACTIV’s Global Europe reporter Alexandra Brzozowski to hear more on this. We are also talking about how some Russian embassies retaliated to Greece and Bulgaria after they followed EU sanctions. To learn more about the reactions, I was joined by Krassen Nikolov from EURACTIV Bulgaria.

10 Mars 202213min

This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the latest EU response to Russia’s war in Ukraine and the geopolitical 'taboos' involved in the EU's activation the European peace facility program through buying and sending weapons to Ukraine. We also tackle the country's fast-track EU membership application, and Germany’s foreign policy u-turn. I spoke with EURACTIV’s reporters Alexandra Brzozowski and Oliver Noyan to hear more. On the bloc’s actions to become independent from Russia when it comes to energy supply, we ask: what are plans are on the table - and how feasible are they? To break down the main components of the EU energy ministers meeting, I was joined by EURACTIV’s Energy and Environment reporter Kira Taylor.

3 Mars 202227min

This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the Russian invasion in Ukraine. How did we get to this point? What will European leaders decide in terms of sanctions? And - what does the future hold for relations between the West and Russia? I spoke with EURACTIV’s senior editor Georgi Gotev and EURACTIV’s reporter on Global Europe Alexandra Brzozowski to hear more. We also spoke about the cancellation of Nord Stream 2 and what the last nail on its coffin was. To break down the main points of the repercussions I’m joined by EURACTIV’s Niko Kurmayer and Oliver Noyan.

24 Feb 202221min

This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on inflation in Europe, what is driving it and why, and what role the European Central Bank in ensuring stability. I spoke with EURACTIV’s Jobs and Economy Editor, Janos Amman, to hear more. We are also talking about the EU African Union summit in Brussels. After two years of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition over influence on the African continent is as strong as ever. The EU has put forth proposals for new investments to forge a prosperous and sustainable partnership. To break down the main points of the summit, I’m joined by EURACTIV’s Benjamin Fox.

17 Feb 202214min

This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the EU’s proposed green investment label for nuclear and gas, which prompted several countries, including Germany, to consider legal action. EURACTIV’s energy journalists, Kira Taylor and Niko Krumayer joined me to break it down. We are also talking about how and why Europe’s most used cookie consent system is deemed incompatible with EU privacy rules. How does it work now, and what should be changed in the future? I spoke to EURACTIV’s digital and media editor Luca Bertuzzi to get the answers to the main questions.

10 Feb 202213min

This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow amid Russia's tensions with the EU and the West in general. To break down what was discussed, how the visit was perceived, and what Putin and Orbán took away from their meeting, I spoke with EURACTIV’s Vlagyiszlav Maksimov. We are also talking about another meeting during the last week of January. EU ministers decided on the general directive that EU countries must follow from the beginning of February regarding the digital COVID certificate. We wanted to know what was decided, what new measures are in place, and what travellers must prepare before they depart. I was joined by EURACTIV’s health reporters, Giedre Peseckyte and Amalie Mersh, to answer all of our questions.

3 Feb 202223min

This week, our podcast focuses on the escalation at the Ukrainian and Russian border, diplomatic efforts to maintain peace in the region, and what Russia wants from Ukraine and the West. To understand the situation as it unfolds, I spoke with EURACTIV’s Alexandra Brzozowski and Krassen Nikolov from EURACTIV Bulgaria. We are also talking about the presidential race in Italy. Why does it matter, who are the most credible names, how does the voting system work, and how can the election of the President influence Italian politics? To break it down for us, I was joined by EURACTIV’s Italians; more specifically, I spoke with reporter Eleonora Vasques, agrifood and health editor Gerardo Fortuna, and our digital editor Luca Bertuzzi.

27 Jan 202226min