Beyond the Byline: Recent Episodes
EURACTIV
Welcome to EURACTIV's Beyond the Byline, your weekly curated update on news about EU politics and policy generated by our newsroom and network.
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?
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.
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?
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.
In this week's episode of EURACTIV's Beyond the Byline podcast, we delve into the pressing issue of police violence in France.
The country has been engulfed in clashes following the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk.
Racial profiling and police brutality are concerns in France and in some other European countries, according to the European Network Against Racism.
The situation in France has further escalated with clashes between protesters and far-right supporters, while fundraisers for both Nahel's family and the police officer involved have gained significant attention.
Amid this complex situation, journalists and photographers face violence from both the police and protesters, prompting Reporters Without Borders to establish a hotline and propose on-site training for journalists covering the clashes.
This week on Beyond the Byline, EURACTIV looks at the recent events that unfolded in Russia, presenting a major domestic incident for President Vladimir Putin.
The crisis ensued when Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group, a Russian state-funded paramilitary organisation, turned on the country's Ministry of Defence in what some are calling a coup attempt. While the exact details of the standoff are unclear, they indicate a significant escalation of tensions.
How did we get here, and what does the clash mean for Putin's future, Ukraine and the EU? What could a post-Putin Russia look like?
To get some answers, we speak to Zachary Paikin, researcher of EU foreign policy at the Centre for European Policy Studies, and Hans Kribbe, director of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics.
This week on Beyond the Byline, EURACTIV digs into the new economic security strategy presented by the European Commission on Tuesday (20 June).
The plan seeks to persuade all 27 EU member states to implement stricter regulations for the export and transfer of technologies that could potentially be used for military purposes by third countries, through stronger export controls and screening of outbound investments related to critical technologies.
While the document does not explicitly mention China, it highlights the importance of collaborating with compatible nations and implementing a "de-risking" strategy to reduce dependence on China in economic matters.
Last week, EU member states finally reached a consensus on the New Pact on Asylum and Migration, which seeks to streamline the management of incoming asylum seekers and distribute responsibility for hosting newcomers more evenly across the bloc.
This week on Beyond the Byline, we dig into the controversy around the bill. Whilst many 'frontline' migration countries, such as Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain and Malta, hailed it as a historic agreement, the vote passed with a majority, not unanimity. Two countries - Hungary and Poland - voted against it.
Warsaw's main opposition to the pact centres around the so-called solidarity mechanism, which implements a quota-based system for hosting refugees, with financial penalties if member states refuse. Now, Poland is seeking to build a blocking coalition in the European Parliament to halt the pact's approval.
This week on the 100th episode of the Beyond the Byline podcast, we dive into the negotiations on a potentially groundbreaking global treaty to end plastic pollution.
Eirik Lindebjerg, Global Plastics Policy Lead at World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Willemijn Peeters, CEO & Founder of Searious business, a company that aims to prevent plastic pollution, join us in conversation to discuss what has been done so far, what we can expect from the treaty, what a global, legally-binding plastics treaty would mean in practice.
On this week’s episode of the Beyond the Byline podcast, EURACTIV looks at the reasons behind the growing trust in conservative and right-wing parties by citizens across Europe and beyond. According to experts, there has been a notable shift in many countries towards conservative political parties, with voters increasingly placing their trust in traditional ideas and practices.
We ask Harris Mylonas, professor of political science at George Washington University, which factors are driving the rise of conservative and right-wing parties.
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we are discussing the social climate fund.
Representatives of the European Parliament, the Council and Commission met on Wednesday, 30th of November, to discuss the social climate fund proposal, considered one of the most important pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of Fit for 55, as it mostly relates to climate justice.
But what is the social climate fund, who can benefit from it and is this fund affected by the existing energy crisis? To understand better what is this fund and its importance I spoke with MEP Petros Kokkalis and with EURACTIV’s Energy and Environment editor Frederic Simon.
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we are discussing the “death” of really cheap flights. Why are low-fare companies removing their cheap tickets? Why are the flight prices rising and how are travellers impacted by all this?
The rise of low-cost carriers and the plethora of cheap flights and air ticket deals have been a common trait in the past few decades due to an increase in travel movements, with many travellers taking advantage of the low fares and exploring the world more frequently. However, the future of cheap flights does not look as promising anymore.
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we are discussing how corruption affects people on the ground and why this is such a complex issue to address.
For this episode, we spoke to our journalist colleagues from the EURACTIV network: Alice Taylor, who reports from Albania and Oliver Noyan, who is based in our Berlin office. We also reflect on input from Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, professor of Democracy Studies at the Hertie School in Berlin, and Pawan Kumar Sinha, director of Academic Programmes at the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Vienna.
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we are discussing the COP27 summit, which brings together world leaders to discuss climate change. In particular, together with MEP Pieter Liese (EPP) and Hanne Knaepen (head of ECDPM) we will take a look at the financial aspect of the topics on the table; climate finance, climate adaptation, and loss and damage.
Are developed countries, who are also guilty of the most polluting practices, willing to fund developing countries, which disproportionately suffer the fallout of the climate crisis? And will promises made at this year's event mean tangible change or simply more hot air?
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we are looking at two aspects of the war in Ukraine.
First, the weaponisation of the conflict, with several European countries standing behind Ukraine and offering military assistance while Russia intensifies its attacks.
The second is innovative solutions such as EyeWitness to Atrocities which aims to help journalists, activists, and citizens capture relevant and reliable audio-visual evidence that can lead to justice.
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we are looking at two aspects of the war in Ukraine.
First, the weaponisation of the conflict, with several European countries standing behind Ukraine and offering military assistance while Russia intensifies its attacks.
The second is innovative solutions such as EyeWitness to Atrocities which aims to help journalists, activists, and citizens capture relevant and reliable audio-visual evidence that can lead to justice.
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we discuss how the far right is growing, as Giorgia Meloni’s leadership and the rapid rise of far-right governments in Europe create concern amongst leftist parties and political analysts.
We also discuss how the leftist parties can maintain their ground: SYRIZA’s Alexis Tsipras and the President of the Party of the European Left Heinz Bierbaum highlighted why they are calling for a united left so their ideas and positions become hegemonic.
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we discuss the geopolitical complications of the EU’s relations with China.
The European Council will hold a strategic discussion on China for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In a preview of this upcoming meeting, EU leaders and diplomats mentioned earlier in the week in Luxembourg that the bloc’s rivalry with China has deepened over the past few years.
The reasons include both geopolitics and economics, as China is one of the EU’s strongest competitors regarding trade, raw materials and technology.
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we discuss the Commission’s enlargement report. Countries like Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Turkey have been on the waiting list for years, with no significant progress being made.
The content of the enlargement report did not differ notably from previous years, yet, the language and tone reflected the renewed urgency on enlargement processes following Russia's war in Ukraine.
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we discuss the Commission’s enlargement report. Countries like Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Turkey have been on the waiting list for years, with no significant progress being made.
The content of the enlargement report did not differ notably from previous years, yet, the language and tone reflected the renewed urgency on enlargement processes following Russia's war in Ukraine.
This week the Beyond the Byline podcast is all about energy, the hot topic of today! Winter is looming and EU leaders and ministers are pushing for solutions to protect consumers and lift Europe out of the crisis.
Last Friday (30 September), EU ministers met in Brussels to agree on new emergency measures to tackle potential shortages. Can a price cap on gas protect consumers and businesses from inflation and the energy crisis?
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, following Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen's new measures to fight corruption, we speak to experts on the matter.
Our guests this week are MEP Daniel Freund, Nick Aiossa, Deputy Director, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Transparency International EU, Jozsef Peter Martin, executive director at the International Transparency Hungary and Robin Lööf, lawyer specialised in commercial crime and financial regulation. We ask them: what is defined as corruption, what is the Commission doing to fight it, what can be improved and what makes corruption in Hungary so particular?
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, following Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen's new measures to fight corruption, we speak to experts on the matter.
Our guests this week are MEP Daniel Freund, Nick Aiossa, Deputy Director, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Transparency International EU, Jozsef Peter Martin, executive director at the International Transparency Hungary and Robin Lööf, lawyer specialised in commercial crime and financial regulation. We ask them: what is defined as corruption, what is the Commission doing to fight it, what can be improved and what makes corruption in Hungary so particular?
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we discuss Italy's upcoming general elections. Italians are asked to decide who will be their next government on 25 September.
Political analyst Lorenzo Pregliasco and professor of politics Piero Ignazi explain: What is the possible outcome? What are the most probable scenarios if the right-wing coalition wins? Will Giorgia Meloni become the next prime minister and if so, how would it affect Italy’s relations with the EU?
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast, we discuss Italy's upcoming general elections. Italians are asked to decide who will be their next government on 25 September.
Political analyst Lorenzo Pregliasco and professor of politics Piero Ignazi explain: What is the possible outcome? What are the most probable scenarios if the right-wing coalition wins? Will Giorgia Meloni become the next prime minister and if so, how would it affect Italy’s relations with the EU?
In a special episode of EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast, we bring you a breakdown of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's annual State of the Union speech. The president addressed the key issues on the EU agenda and announced new measures, programmes, and plans.
So, how is the Commission planning to support Ukraine? What is the plan for energy? And how can the Union ensure financial stability?
This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast we are talking about the wiretapping scandal in Greece. Investigative and financial journalist Thanasis Koukakis explains why he was monitored by the Greek government; how did it happen? And how did we get to the revelation of the "Greek Watergate."
And MEP Stelios Kouloglou tells us why exposing the wiretapping scandal is important, what’s the Commission’s role and what does it mean for the country’s press freedom and the government.
EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast is back, with a fresh structure and a fresh perspective on what’s beyond the news.
For our first episode of the new season, we are taking an in-depth look at current events between Serbia and Kosovo. We ask: How did we get here? What is the impact of the ongoing conflict on the population of Kosovo, regardless of their ethnicity? What is to come, and how is the EU's diplomatic strategy panning out?
In EURACTIV’s last episode of Beyond the Byline before the summer holidays, we are addressing the turmoil in French politics. With Emmanuel Macron struggling to set up a functioning government, we look at whether a coalition is a possibility and address the impacts of the Uber files scandal.
But before that - the euro and the dollar reached parity this week for the first time in 20 years. With the possibility of the European economy heading towards a deep recession, we ask: what might this mean for the EU and how will it affect the citizens?
In this week’s episode of EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline, we are talking about the worst inflation of the past decades and low-income countries like Albania being pushed into poverty. We also ask if accession to the EU remains citizens' biggest hope and why the country’s prime minister is lashing out at the EU.
But first, we start our journey in Bulgaria, where the outgoing government decided to expel 70 Russian diplomats for espionage amidst pro and anti-government protests.
This week we discussed negotiations between the bloc's 27 environment ministers. In particular, their joint positions on five laws which are part of a broader package of measures to slash planet-warming emissions by the end of the decade. We also touched on what the EU needs to do more of and better, to achieve energy efficiency.
To hear more on this spoke with Norwegian scientist Nils Rokke and EURACTIV’s Kira Taylor.
This week the European Council will decide on Ukraine and Moldova’s application to accede to the EU. The decision will determine whether Ukraine and Moldova will be able to embark on the path toward full EU membership, after getting the status of EU candidates, and will draw trajectories for the region’s political development for years to come.
To explain better what this means politically for the EU and the rest of the candidates, I’m joined by Alexandra Brzozowski and Cristina Papusoi, who is shedding some light on the Moldovan reality and its hope to join the EU.
We also spoke with Sean Goulding Carroll, EURACTIV’s transport editor, to find out why airport strikes are happening all over Europe, and what travellers should be aware of.
This week we are talking about a new entry into the black market: Hungarian license plates. EURACTIV's Network Editor Vlad Makszimov is here to help us understand why they are in high demand, the current gas prices in Hungary, and what is happening with the single market.
We also spoke with Krassen Nikolov and Spiros Sideris about how Bulgaria and other Balkan countries are threatened by a strong anti-Western wave amid Russian propaganda. We ask: what is at stake? And - what is NATO’s role in this?
This week we are talking about the EU’s minimum wage directive, what it means for workers and will it have an impact on inflation, as well as the Open Balkan Initiative, why it was touted as a mini Schengen for the Balkans and what the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has to do with it.
This week on our Beyond the Byline podcast, we're focusing on the extraordinary meeting of EU leaders in Brussels to discuss energy, Ukraine and food security. We'll ask: What sanctions were discussed as part of the meeting? What's happening with the ban on Russian oil? Who was opposed to it and how did the leaders find common ground? To discuss all these questions, I’m joined by EURACTIV’s Kira Taylor.
And - while the leaders were negotiating indoors, environmentalist groups were protesting just outside. We also spoke to Fridays for Future's Dominika Lasota about the significance of the oil ban on the environment.
We also addressed the other story on everyone's lips this week: the monkeypox virus, cases of which have been reported in a number of European countries. Listen to Daniel Bausch, infectious disease expert and president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene and EURACTIV’s health reporter Giedre Peseckyte explain why monkeypox won't be the end of the world.
This week in our Beyond the Byline podcast, we are focusing on the European Commission's decision to increase the Ukrainian government's short-term budgetary aid by 9 billion and set up a reconstruction platform to help with financing the rebuilding of the country. To hear more on this, I’m joined by EURACTIV’s Economy and Jobs editor, Janos Ammann, who has been following the story.
We are also taking a look at the state of the transport industry: what's happening with diesel and gasoline prices, and how, while electric vehicles might be beneficial for the environment, they could have hidden impacts on our health. To break down this story, I spoke with EURACTIV’s Transport editor, Sean Goulding Carroll.
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on why the Eurovision Song Contest has become so politicised and whether this year's event is a good reflection of current European affairs.
Who are the traditional allies that we will see supporting each other during the big final, which countries are not participating, and what political messages are conveyed with the songs?
To break down the politics of Eurovision, I’m joined by two special guests from EURACTIV’s editorial team- Gerardo Fortuna, who is in Turin for the big final and Vlad Maksimov, who has a good understanding of the European song contest and the politics behind it.
We are also talking about the vision of French President Emmanuel Macron, for a “European Political Community”. Is this new community a shortcut on the road to full EU membership or maybe just a waiting room? What can we expect from it, and why is it important for the EU? To hear more on this, I spoke with Senior Editor Oliver Noyan.
In recognition of the upcoming EU mental health awareness week (9-13 May), this week in our Beyond the Byline podcast we are asking: How has our mental health been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine? What support systems are in place for citizens facing mental health problems? Does stigma around the issue still exist, and how do we tackle it?
Together with Laura Marchetti, policy manager at Mental Health Europe and Clara Babef from EURACTIV France, we looked into the situation in Europe and the initiatives currently underway.
We also spoke about the release of Reporters Without Borders' 2022 Press Freedom Index - in particular, looking at the European countries where freedom of the press has declined this year. Which countries topped the table and which countries plunged?
To hear more, I spoke with EURACTIV’s Alice Taylor and Molly Killeen.
This week in our Beyond the Byline podcast we are focusing on how companies are implementing initiatives to boost gender equality on corporate boards and in decision-making positions. Listen to our special guest Hedwige Nuyens, chair of European Women on Boards, explain why diversity in decision-making positions is so important, together with EURACTIV’s Silvia Ellena who has been covering the story.
We are also taking a look at the aftermath of the French elections: asking why Western leaders were relieved by Macron’s win, what the country's future with Russia might hold, and what is facing the French president when it comes to national politics. To hear more, I spoke with Davide Basso, who reports directly from Paris for EURACTIV.
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on how western leaders and human rights organisations like the OSCE are trying to investigate reports of war crimes committed in Ukraine by the Russian army. I talked to EURACTIV’s reporter Alexandra Brzozowski to hear more.
We are also talking about how the EU is trying to break away from Russia regarding energy. How has the bloc’s energy policy shifted, and what additional sanctions could follow? I was joined by EURACTIV’s Energy and Environment reporter, Kira Taylor, to learn more.
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on Poland’s veto of a proposal for an EU directive that would implement the internationally agreed 15% minimum effective tax rate for large multinationals. What were the reactions, and what are the next steps? I talked to EURACTIV’s economy and jobs editor, Janos Amman, to hear more.
We are also talking about the highly anticipated presidential elections in France. What can we expect, who leads the race, and how could the outcome influence the EU Council's rotating presidency? To answer these questions, I was joined by Davide Basso, who covers the elections for EURACTIV.COM and EURACTIV France.
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on EU membership candidates, progress made, and the silence from the EU’s side. We looked at the instrument for pre-accession assistance and why there is a special process to join the bloc for the Western Balkans. To hear more on this, I talk to EURACTIV’s reporter Vlagyiszlav Makszimov.
We are also talking about how and if diplomacy can be the solution to the war in Ukraine. Diplomats from Ukraine and Russia met in Istanbul for another round of negotiations without a critical outcome. To see how Russia and Ukraine can find compromise via diplomacy, I talked with EURACTIV’s senior editor Georgi Gotev.
This week is one of the busiest weeks for Brussels and international politics, as it’s the first time the “capital of Europe '' is hosting so many leaders at once for NATO, G7 and EU summits. I talk to Alex Brzozowski and Kira Taylor on the outcome of the summit and the announcement by von der Leyen and Biden on Friday Morning.
We are also focusing on the new subvariant of Omicron, named BA.2, that is spreading rapidly leading to a new wave of infections across Europe. With the cases in many countries rising. How worried should people be about the BA.2 variant? Will vaccines protect against it? Evi Kiorri is together with Giedre Peseckyte and Amalie Merch for this story.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This week our podcast focuses on the rise of the suicide rates amongst Europe's youth, the increase of depression among EU citizens, what has been done and what can we do better. To shed some light on how European countries are facing these issues, I spoke with EURACTIV’s editor, Alice Taylor and Laura Marchetti, policy manager at Mental Health Europe.
We are also talking about the new EU taxonomy, what it includes, the teething issues, and why we have had reactions from climate activists such as Dominika Lasota and Louisa Neubeur from Fridays for Future. To break down for us, I was joined by EURACTIV’s energy and environment reporter, Kira Taylor.
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on Kazakhstan, the demonstrations that caused significant unrest across the country, Russia’s involvement, and possible measures coming from the EU. To shed some light on the story, we spoke with EURACTIV’s Senior Editor, Georgi Gotev and Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, associate professor of international affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.
We also discuss the first informal meeting of foreign and defence ministers under the French EU Council Presidency, including the hot topics on the agenda and the upcoming military strategy document. To hear more on that, I spoke with EURACTIV’s Alexandra Brzozowski and Matthieu Pollet, who are following the meeting from Brest.
In the first episode of 2022, EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline focuses on the tension between Russia and Kyiv and the EU’s role in it. A story that started some months ago requires close attention and possibly action from the West. To shed some light on what is happening on the Russian and Ukrainian borders, I’m joined today by EURACTIV’s Alexandra Brzozowski.
Regarding another ongoing issue, this time in Spain, recently published reports show that the past year was the deadliest on the western Euro-African border. Over 12 months, 4,016 people lost their lives on the dangerous Canary Route. I spoke with EURACTIV’S reporter for Spain, Pol Afonso Fortuny, to hear more about this story.
In the last episode of the year, our Beyond the Byline podcast revisits some of the stories that caught our attention in 2021.
From the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has changed our lives over the past two years to the new climate goals and legislation by the European Commission, the international tax regime, and the pushbacks against migrants in the Aegean, 2021 was an eventful year.
To wrap up what has happened in these 12 months, I spoke with EURACTIV’s reporters Giedre Peseckyte, Oliver Noyan, Kira Taylor, Janos Aman, and Mathew Tsimitakis.
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the imprisonment of an opposition leader in Belarus, the practices Alexander Lukashenko’s uses against his political opponents, and the EU’s position. To shed some light on the story, I am joined by EURACTIV’s Senior Editor, Georgi Gotev.
We are also talking about the upcoming French presidency of the EU, the hot topics on the agenda, the focus on digital regulation and tech sovereignty, and what changes to expect. To hear more on that, I spoke with Matthieu Pollet from EURACTIV France.
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the minimum wage directive agreed by the EU council. What is in the directive, which countries oppose it and what is the future of the minimum wages? To break down the components of this story, I’m joined by Janos Amman, EURACTIV’s Economy and Jobs editor.
We are also talking about the start of vaccinations for children aged between 5 and 11 years old in France and other EU countries. What’s the plan and which vaccine is the safest according to the European Medicines Agency? I spoke with Clara Bauer from EURACTIV France to hear more on this story.
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the fines Austria and Greece are proposing against unvaccinated people, the reactions so far, and the exceptions. Oliver Noyan joins me from EURACTIV Germany to hear more on this story.
We also talk about Donald Tusk's criticism of Angela Merkel's Nord Stream 2 deal with Russia, which the Polish politician called her "biggest mistake". To shed some light on this story, I spoke with Piotr Maciej Kaczynski, an expert of The Bronislaw Geremek Foundation in Warsaw.
This week our Beyond the Byline Podcast focuses on the Energy Crisis and the effects that this is having on the economy of Europe, especially in terms of impact on the low-middle income classes. I'm joined by EURACTIV's Energy and Environment Senior Editor Frédéric Simon.
We are also talking about the Conference on the Future of Europe, six months after its official start, to shed some light on how it is going and where it is going. For this segment I've hosted our EURACTIV reporter Eleonora Vasques, who is following the work of the Conference.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast is coming to you with a special episode focusing on the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's annual State of the Union speech.
The president addressed the key issues on the EU agenda, and announced new measures, programmes, and plans. To break down the most important components of the speech I am joined today by no less than six EURACTIV reporters, who will share their expertise on health [Giedre Peseckyte], digital [Luca Bertuzzi], transport [Sean Goulding Carroll], environment/energy [Kira Taylor], rule of law/democracy [Vlad Makszimov], and economy [Jorge Valero].
You can subscribe to the Beyond the Bylines podcast in our new podcast newsletter and you can listen to it on Spotify, Apple podcasts, Amazon music and Stitcher.
This week our podcast focuses on the European Commission’s decision to step up its legal feud with Warsaw by asking the top EU court to impose a daily financial penalty on Poland for its’ non-compliance with temporary measures European judges put in place this past July. To hear more on this story, I’m joined today by EURACTIV’s Vlad Maksimov.
We are also talking about a dispute the EU is having with Russia, this time over the EU multinational military training mission in Mali. What is Russia accusing the EU of and what are the Russian interests here? To bring this story closer to you, I spoke with Aneta Zachova from EURACTIV Czech Republic.
You can subscribe to the Beyond the Bylines podcast in our new podcast newsletter and you can listen to it on Spotify, Apple podcasts, Amazon music and Stitcher.
This week our podcast focuses on a security conference organised by Austria with the Central Asian states to discuss further strategy regarding Afghanistan. Austria and other EU countries are asking Afghanistan’s neighbours to manage migrations flows and prevent a potential migration crisis like the one Europe faced in 2015.
To connect the dots on this unfolding story, I’m joined today by Oliver Noyan from EURACTIV Germany.
We are also talking about the promise made by the Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo that swimming in the Seine will be possible in the coming years. According to the mayor, the river will even be able to host Olympic events such as the triathlon and the 10km freestyle. To hear more on this story, I spoke with Clara Bauer-Babef from EURACTIV France.
You can subscribe to the Beyond the Bylines podcast in our new podcast newsletter and you can listen to it on Spotify, Apple podcasts, Amazon music and Stitcher.
Welcome back! We have decided to rename the podcast to give a better indication of what we want to do with it. From now on the Yellow Room will be the Beyond the Byline Podcast. If you are already subscribed keep listening on this feed and if not subscribe to it.
We will also be launching a new podcast where we will showcase the best that the EU Bubble is producing in terms of audio content.
In our last episode of the season, the Yellow Room brings you all the reaction to Europe’s “Fit for 55” climate package unveiled this week. To break down the components of this story, we spoke with EURACTIV energy and environment reporter Kira Taylor.
We’re also looking into the latest stand off between Belarus and the EU, after Lithuania accused Minsk of using migrants to put pressure on the EU. How is the bloc reacting? EURACTIV reporter Alexandra Brzozowski sheds some light on the matter.
And finally, we're exploring the latest consumer complaints about Whatsapp's new privacy policy with EURACTIV digital and media editor Luca Bertuzzi.
This week our podcast focuses on the document signed by the leaders of 16 far-right parties across the EU asking for a deep reform of the Union in order to preserve its heritage. To shed some light on what this new “coalition” brings, and whether it could have an impact on the upcoming national elections in several EU countries, I spoke with EURACTIV’s Senior Editor Georgi Gotev.
We’re also talking about the new cool kid on the EU’s block - a new vaccine that comes from France, where the pharma giant Sanofi has started phase 3 clinical trials for its COVID-19 vaccine and is expected to begin rolling it out in December. To hear more on why this vaccine is different and what we can expect, we were joined by Mathieu Pollet from EURACTIV France.
This week our podcast focuses on the spread of the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant and the threat it poses to Europe's long-awaited return to normality after almost 18 months of restrictions and lockdowns.
What is the World Health Organisation so worried about? What are the plans to shield the EU from another wave of infections and what does Delta mean for the bloc's new COVID-19 digital certificate? We spoke with EURACTIV’s health reporter, Giedre Peseckyte, to find out.
We’re also talking climate legislation and the proposal to extend the EU’s carbon market, a plan French MEP Pascal Canfin considers “politically suicidal.” For more on this story, we were joined by Kira Taylor, EURACTIV’s energy and environment reporter, and Clara Bauer Babef from EURACTIV France.
This week our podcast focuses on a milestone move by Ireland: approving medical cannabis prescriptions and giving patients the right to have access to medical cannabis and be reimbursed for it. To hear more on that story, we spoke with EURACTIV’s Agrifood and health reporter, Natasha Foote.
We’re also talking about the EU’s data protection agency's call to ban the use of artificial intelligence to identify people in public spaces, the legislative proposal by the Commission and the company that may own your photos. To find out more on that we were joined by EURACTIV’s Digital Editor, Luca Bertuzzi.
This week, the Yellow Room takes us to Budapest, where the government passed a new bill introducing tougher penalties for paedophilia, in the wake of several cases of child abuse.
However, the new amendments associate the LGBTQI+ minority with pedophiles and bans the portrayal of the homosexual and trans identity to underaged. To shed some light on these new amendments we spoke with EURACTIV’s Vlad Maksimov.
And remaining outside Brussels, we are talking about the Euro football championship and why North Macedonia asked UEFA to intervene after the inappropriate comments of an Austrian player towards the Albanian minority of the country. To hear more on the story, we were joined by Niko Kurmayer from EURACTIV Germany.
Next week, all the lights will be shining over Brussels, where a double summit is taking place. World leaders are hoping to set a key milestone in renewing the transatlantic partnership and maintaining economic ties between the EU and the US. To find out more about what we can expect from the NATO and the EU-US summits, I spoke with EURACTIV’s Alexandra Brzozowski.
We are also going to Sofia to shed some light on the controversy that still follows the former government of Boyko Borissov and the shady findings on the organ transplant scandal. To hear more on this story I spoke with Krassen Niklov, editor in chief of EURACTIV Bulgaria.
This week our podcast takes us to Berlin, where a spying deal between Denmark and the US is shaking German politics ahead of elections in September. To find out more we spoke with Oliver Noyan and Niko Krumayer from EURACTIV Germany.
Back in Brussels we are talking about what the EU ban on airlines entering Belarusian airspace means in practice, from pilot safety concerns, to the isolated Belarusians and unintended environmental and economic impacts. To hear more on this story, I spoke with Sean Golding Carrol, EURACTIV's transport editor.
This week, our podcast takes us to Belarus, where a Ryanair plane was forced to land so the Belarusian authorities could detain one of the passengers, the dissident journalist Roman Protasevich.
The event provoked furious reactions from the EU, which described it as an act of state terrorism and slapped fresh sanctions on the rogue state. To shed some light on the story, I’m joined today by EURACTIV senior editor Georgi Gotev.
And back in Brussels, we’re talking about the European Council summit and the outcome of the talks on climate - more specifically, on the greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
One of the main topics was the dispute around the Turów coal mine in Poland and the impact it has on the environment, economy and society. To hear more on that, I spoke with EURACTIV’s energy and environment reporter Kira Taylor.
This week our podcast focuses on the Israeli- Palestinian violent clashes, the EU’s position in the peace-making process and the political obstacles and differences among the bloc’s members. To shed some light on the latest developments I’m joined today by Euractiv’s Senior Editor Georgi Gotev.
And going to Paris, we’re talking about how the fake EU jobs controversy and the misappropriation of EU funds brings Marie Le Pen back in the spotlight, her reaction to it and how this case could affect the upcoming French elections. To hear more on this story I spoke with Mathieu Pollet from Euractiv France.
This week our podcast takes us to Athens, where things are getting quite shady when it comes to press freedom. Last month we had the mafia-style execution of an investigative reporter, Giorgos Karaivaz, and shortly after that another reporter Kostas Vaxevanis reported to the police that he is receiving death threats. To shed some light on what is happening in Greece I’m joined by Luca Bertuzzi, EURACTIV's digital and media editor.
And back in Brussels, we’re talking about the roll-out of the COVID-19 travel certificates. The Commission aims to put the digital green certificates by the end of June in an attempt to return to free movement within the EU. To hear more about the plan I spoke with EURACTIV’s health reporter, Gierde Peseckyte.
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about the ratification of the EU’s post-Brexit trade agreement with the UK. At last, we may be seeing the turning of the page on economic and diplomatic relations between the two parties. To break down the components of the deal, we spoke with EURACTIV’s Benjamin Fox.
We are also off to the Czech Republic, where a storm was sparked by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who referred to the European Commission’s auditors as “mafia.” His comment came after a report linked him with one of the largest agricultural companies in the country and the distribution of EU funds.
To break down the story behind these allegations, I spoke with Aneta Zachova, editor-in-chief of EURACTIV Czech Republic.
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about the outcomes of the climate law negotiations that took place on Wednesday - the EU and US goals, the reactions, and what the future has in store. To find out more on what happened during the negotiations we spoke with EURACTIV’s energy and environment reporter, Kira Taylor.
We are also touching upon a sensitive topic from last week's news that caused a wave of reactions within the EU and the Western Balkans. The phantom non-paper that proposed the “peaceful dissolution” of Bosnia Herzegovina. To break down the components of this new proposal we were joined by EURACTIV’s Alexandra Brzozowski and Vlad Maksimov.
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about how some EURACTIV digging led to discussions and examinations over the Commission’s 462 million-euro contracts with several consultancy firms. We are focusing on the Parliament’s next steps and the MEPs' actions. To break down the main components of this story we spoke with EURACTIV’s economy and jobs editor, Jorge Valero.
We are also travelling to Northern Ireland to gain a better understanding on what is happening with the new crisis in the country and what actions the EU and the UK are planning to take to maintain peace. To find out more on this issue we are joined by EURACTIV’s Paula Kenny.
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about the EverGiven cargo ship blocking Egypt’s Suez Canal for nearly one week. The impact it had on transport and the economy, before it was freed on Monday.
To dive into the background story, we’re joined by EURACTIV’s transport editor Sean Goulding Carroll.
We are also talking about the very important elections in Bulgaria, where the citizens will head to the polls for a parliamentary election amid a surge of Covid 19 virus cases and after months of anti-government protests.
To break down all the components of the Bulgarian elections we spoke with, Krassen Nikolov the editor in chief of Euractiv Bulgaria.
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about the Commission’s frustration over the AstraZeneca vaccine deliveries and the next steps planned by the EU. To analyse the components of the latest developments on the topic, we are joined by EURACTIV’s health team, Gerardo Fortuna and Gierde Pesecktye.
We are also talking about the new Chinese jab approved in Hungary, what do we know or don’t know about the new player on the market and how are the vaccines affecting the political stability of the country. To shed some light on what is happening there, we spoke with EURACTIV’s reporter, Vlad Maksimov.
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about the EU climate law negotiations, the progress made but also the obstacles to reaching an agreement.
To analyse the different components of the negotiations, we are joined by EURACTIV’s energy and environment journalist, Kira Taylor.
We are also talking about the official ban of a controversial French bird hunting practice by the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg. To shed some light on the latest developments on the topic we spoke with Anne Damiani from EURACTIV France.
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are “bringing” our international network to Brussels and we are focusing on Slovakia’s current political situation and how it is affected by the purchase of the Russian sputnik vaccine. To break down the main components of Slovakia’s political crisis we spoke with the editor-in-chief of EURACTIV Slovakia, Lucia Yar.
We are also talking about how French football teams are trying to become sustainable and their initiatives to contribute to the upcoming green transition. To find out more about these initiatives we are joined by EURACTIV’S France, Magdalena Pistorius.
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow, we are talking about the proposed vaccine “travel pass” and the controversy around it. EU countries, whose economies depend on tourism, seem to be eager to adopt the proposed solution, while others are more skeptical about it. To shed some light on these concerns we are joined by EURACTIV’S transport editor Sean Goulding Carroll.
We are also dissecting the reason why the French health ministry is going to court and the controversy over the data protection regulations that seem to be challenged by the use of a health app. To break down the background story of the upcoming trial, we spoke with EURACTIV’s France, Mathieu Pollet.
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about Friday’s summit, where the EU leadersare expected to discuss security and defence issues. During the first part of their meeting, they will be joined by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg for an exchange of views on EU-NATO cooperation. Afterward, they will focus on the EU strategic autonomy and the EU’s new and shiny work in progress - the EU Strategic Compass. To break down the components of the summit we are joined by EURACTIV’S Alexandra Brzozowski.
We are also talking about the findings of a research by Global Witness, an international NGO,on how the European Commission finances gas pipeline projects. The EU has spent more than 440 million euros to found these delayed or failed projects.To shed some light on what went wrong and what are the Commission’s plans for the future we spoke with Frederic Simon, EURACTIV’s energy and environment editor.
In the first edition of EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about the European airline industry’s sustainability plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The aviation sector is facing the challenge of coming up with alternative solutions and recovering from the crisis caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. To shed some light on the latest developments we are joined by Sean Goulding Carroll (EURACTIV's Transport and Environment editor).
We are, also, talking about the concerns among the EU members regarding the delays in the implementation of the EU’s recovery plan by the pandemic. We are dissecting the process until the first fund flow in summer and how the European market is being viewed by the investors. To break down the components of the Commission’s plan we spoke with Jorge Valero (EURACTIV's Economy and Trade editor).