Today in the EU

This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the launch of a political dialogue between the EU and Switzerland, in an attempt by the two parties to resolve continuous misunderstandings regarding the single market. To shed some light on the story, I’m joined by EURACTIV’s Economy and Jobs Editor Janos Amman. We are also talking about the reaction of Greek Prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to a question asked by Dutch journalist Ingeborg Beugel about the pushbacks against migrants in the Aegean, and the journalist’s subsequent decision to flee Athens to protect herself, which is also raising questions about the media freedom in Greece. To hear more on that I spoke with Matthaios Tsimitakis from Euractiv Greece.

18 Nov 202117min

This week our Beyond the Byline podcast travels to Glasgow, where the United Nations climate change conference is being held. We focused on its importance for the future of climate and teething issues the leaders have to discuss. To break down the most critical components of COP26, I am joined by Kira Taylor, EURACTIV’s Energy and Environment reporter. We are also talking about the fishing dispute between France and the UK, the planned punitive measures and the discussion behind closed doors of the two leaders. What did Macron and Johnson talk about, and what can we expect?

4 Nov 202112min

This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the COVID-19, the fourth wave the European countries try to avoid, the offered third vaccine dose and the new measures decided by the EU members. To explain what we know about what is happening in Europe right now, I’m joined today by EURACTIV’s health reporter Giedre Peseckyte. We’re also discussing the Chinese company that controls 67% of the Piraeus port, the working conditions that are leading to strikes there, the deals signed by the Greek government, and the reaction of environmentalist groups. To break down the components of this story, I spoke with EURACTIV Greece's Matthaios Tsimitakis.

28 Okt 202117min

This week our Beyond the Byline podcast is “travelling” to Prague to talk about the political crisis in Czechia, where the health of its president, Miloš Zeman, is causing instability, while the electoral loss of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš means other political parties will have to form a new government. And returning to Brussels, we focus on the relaunch of the EU’s economic governance review. What are the Commissions targets, and what can the EU members expect?

22 Okt 202115min

This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the potential Polexit and the tension between the EU and the Polish government over the EU treaties that were considered unconstitutional. To find out more on what is happening between the EU and Poland I’m joined by Piotr Macej Kaczynski from EURACTIV Poland. We’re also discussing about the resignation of Austria’s chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, the reasons behind it and the political instability in the country. To break down the components of this story I spoke with EURACTIV’s Oliver Noyan. Finally, we are talking about the historic international tax regime, where 136 countries decided to follow the same policy when it comes the digital age and the corporate tax evasion. To hear more on the new tax regime, I was joined by EURACTIV’s Jobs and Economy reporter Janos Amman.

14 Okt 202117min

This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the Pandora papers. The massive leak of financial documents revealed the wealth of the world’s most powerful people, allegedly including 27 EU politicians and global leaders. To find out who was on the list, what the reactions were, and if there would be action, I was joined by EURACTIV’s Senior Editor Georgi Gotev. We’re also discussing the meeting of the EU environment ministers in Luxembourg, the topics on the table, concerns over energy prices at the COP26 Summit, and the Fit for 55 climate package. I spoke with EURACTIV’s Energy and Environment reporter, Kira Taylor, to hear more on this story.

8 Okt 202113min

This week the Beyond the Byline podcast is focusing on the spike of energy prices, the Commission’s monitoring of the evolution of the electricity prices, and its attempt to come up with long-term fixes like investments in energy savings and renewables as the main answer at European level. To break down the components of the Commission's plans to combat the spike in energy prices, I’m joined today by EURACTIV’s senior editor for energy and environment, Frederic Simon. We are also talking about the situation on the Polish and Belarusian borders, where migrants and refugees have been trapped. Five people have lost their lives and the EU is accusing Belarus of orchestrating the influx of migrants in retaliation against the sanctions the EU imposed because of the regime’s crackdown on political dissent. To hear more on this story, I spoke with Piotr Macej Kaczyński from EURACTIV Poland.

1 Okt 202117min

All eyes are on Berlin this week as Germans vote on a new government on Sunday (26 September). The final result is difficult to predict but the new government will be one without Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been in power for 16 years and will step down from politics altogether. This week's Beyond the Byline podcast takes us to Germany with a special episode focusing on the possible political changes in the EU’s biggest country and their possible impact on EU affairs. To shed some light on the upcoming elections, the electorate’s behaviour, and the exit polls I was joined by Oliver Noyan from EURACTIV Germany. You can subscribe to the Beyond the Byline podcast in our new podcast newsletter and you can listen to it on  Spotify, Apple podcasts, Amazon music and Stitcher.

23 Sep 202115min