As the global climate summit is expected to wrap up today (22 November) in Baku, Azerbaijan, country ministers have already started tough negotiations around the implementation of the final treaty. All eyes are on the final sum allocated to the new climate finance goal (NCQG), which will determine how many resources developed countries will provide to the global south to limit greenhouse gas emissions. But the discrepancy in ambition and timeline between the two parties has so far locked talks in a standstill. Where are the COP29 climate talks headed? And where does the EU stand in these negotiations? Join host Giada Santana and energy & environment reporter Niko Kurmayer as they outline COP29's trajectory and possible scenarios for its last day. The European University Institute's head of delegation, professor Simone Borghesi, dials in from Baku.
EU economy ministers will meet today (November 21) to discuss the future of EU-US trade relations although the prospect of a possible protectionist and pro-tariff Trump administration looks set to make for difficult talks.How will EU economy ministers tackle the challenges of managing trade relations with the US amid escalating geopolitical tensions? How could Donald Trump's proposed trade and monetary policies - such as new tariffs and a shift towards economic protectionism - affect the EU and its member states?With key industries such as Germany’s automotive sector already under significant pressure and the risk of a wider trade war on the horizon, how is Europe preparing to adapt to a shifting US trade agenda?To find out, host Evi Kiorri spoke with Euractiv's economy reporter Thomas Nielsen Moeller.
The European Parliament is on the brink of finalising the new College of Commissioners after weeks of negotiations, according to a draft seen by Euractiv.Spain’s Teresa Ribera fell under scrutiny after October's devastating Valencia floods, and faced fierce opposition from the Spanish wing of the European People's Party (EPP). The political deadlock threatened not only her nomination as vice-president of the European Commission but also the approval of the whole College. But negotiations between parliamentary groups in Brussels appear to have finally ended.What fueled the EPP’s resistance, and how was an agreement reached?Join host Giada Santana and reporter Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro as they analyse the fallout from the Valencia disaster and its ripple effects on the Commission’s formation.
Today marks 1,000 days since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The recent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia's Kursk region, entered by Ukrainian forces in August, signals a major shift in the conflict. North Korea’s involvement, previously seen in arms supplies and meetings between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, now includes sending troops to the border.This move provides Russia with added manpower, posing greater challenges for Ukraine’s strained military resources and increasing its need for ammunition. The effectiveness of North Korean troops is uncertain due to their limited combat experience. EU ministers are concerned but limited in action due to North Korea’s isolation, as they gather in Brussels amid pressure to strengthen military support, especially with future U.S. aid uncertain. To look into this topic host Evi Kiorri is joined by security and defence editor Aurélie Pugnet.
Billionaire Elon Musk’s recent appointment to lead the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is expected to send shockwaves across the Atlantic, testing the EU’s regulatory clout in the digital sphere.The European Union and Musk have clashed repeatedly, especially since his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter - now known as X.On 23 December 2023, the European Commission launched an investigation into X for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), including content moderation issues. Meanwhile, Musk’s image as a staunch defender of free speech has energized Europe’s far-right, who increasingly see him as an ideological ally.But where does the EU stand in this escalating dispute, and how might Brussels respond to Musk’s new role?Join host Giada Santana and Euractiv tech editor Eliza Gritski as they unpack the EU’s probe into X, the controversial DOGE commission, and Musk’s growing influence on both sides of the Atlantic.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s efforts to maintain stability following the collapse of his three-party coalition have come up against fierce opposition and mounting public pressure, sparking a new phase of uncertainty.With a snap election scheduled for 23 February and no-confidence votes looming, the dynamics between party leaders and coalitions are set to shape Germany’s immediate future.To take a closer look at the unfolding political drama and its impact on Europe’s largest economy host Evi Kiorri is joined by our Berlin-based politics reporter, Nick Alipour.[Edited by Daniel Eck]
On Thursday (14 November), the European Parliament will decide the fate of a landmark anti-deforestation law, the EUDR, which aims to break the link between EU imports and global forest loss. According to the UN, 10 million hectares of forest – an area the size of Portugal – vanish yearly due to unsustainable practices. Proposed amendments, however, threaten to narrow its scope and delay its rollout, leaving activists worried that a diluted law could fail to tackle deforestation. But who among the MEPs wants the end of anti-deforestation law, and why?In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Sofia Sánchez Manzanaro outline supporters and detractors of EUDR, and possible scenarios ahead of the vote.
Tuesday (12 November) marked the last day of hearings at the European Parliament, yet no conclusions were reached – in a clear indication that all political parties have laid their cards on the table and are now negotiating over who gets what. Evaluation meetings have been postponed with no timeline set, leaving many unanswered questions: what is happening behind closed doors, and what can we expect from the hearings’ conclusions in the coming days? To break down what has happened with the hearings so far, host Evi Kiorri is joined by Euractiv's politics reporters Nicoletta Ionta and Magnus Lund Nielsen – who have been following most of the sessions for the past two weeks.
Delegates from nearly 200 countries are hunkered down for 11 days of intense climate talks at COP29 in Baku, but with prominent leaders noticeably absent, doubts about the summit's potential for progress are looming.Among those who will not be attending are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazil’s Lula da Silva, and China’s Xi Jinping. Setting robust climate finance targets is high on this year's agenda at a time when the pressure couldn’t be higher, with the UN warning that global warming could rise by 2.9 to 3.1 degrees Celsius - almost double the "safe" limit set by the Paris Agreement. Join host Giada Santana as she talks to Euractiv’s climate, energy, and transport editor, Donagh Cagney, and climate reporter Paul Messad. Together, they will break down the events on the ground in Baku, Europe’s big goals for these talks, and what the missing world leaders could mean for the success - or failure - of the summit.
Germany’s coalition government collapsed on Wednesday, setting the stage for the first minority government in over 40 years and possible snap elections - a turn of events that has European leaders worried. The breakdown, caused by long-running disputes over economic policy and budget constraints, culminated late on Wednesday when Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner after failed negotiations. This marks a significant shift in German and European politics, with potential consequences for European cooperation, especially as the continent braces for Donald Trump’s return to the White House. But how do European leaders view Germany’s political instability? To understand this better, host Evi Kiorri spoke to our Berlin-based reporter Nick Alipour.[Edited by Daniel Eck]
Once-convicted, twice-impeached Republican firebrand Donald Trump will serve a second term as president of the United States, after unprecedented preliminary results in most swing states and some historically blue states confirmed his return to the White House. With both the Senate and House to be controlled by a Republican majority, the businessman-turned-politician is likely to enjoy an obstacle-free pathway to turn his electoral promises into legislation. But what did Trump guarantee to the American public in the first place and what is at the root of his remarkable comeback? Tune in as host Giada Santana takes the temperature at the incoming president’s headquarters in Palm Beach County, Florida with Euractiv’s Sarantis Michaloupolos, and analyzes Trump’s manifesto with editor Alice Taylor.
Last night, Americans headed to the polls to shape not only their own future but also that of the rest of the world by voting for the next US president. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump went head-to-head for the US presidency in what is being called the most significant election in decades.The race for the White House is expected to come down to seven key battleground states, and it could take days for officials to count enough votes to declare a winner. So, what happened on election night, and why does it matter for the EU?To break down all that happened on election night, host Evi Kiorri was joined by journalist and editor Brian Maguire.
As the world of politics divides its attention between Brussels’ commissioners' hearings and Washington’s election frenzy, Commissioner-designate for Trade Maroš Šefčovič’s interview matters for both sides of the Atlantic. If the European Parliament green-lights him, Šefčovič pledges to reshape Europe’s foreign economic strategy against Beijing's “unfair practices” and Washington’s increasing protectionism. “It is time to double down on our efforts to safeguard the playing field," said the Slovakian commissioner-designate in front of MEPs (4 November). Join us as host Giada Santana and economics reporter Thomas Moller-Nielsen comment on Šefčovič’s hearing live from the Parliament and what his words mean for the future of EU trade and competitiveness.
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]
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.
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.
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]
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.
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.
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]