EU Untangled: Recent Episodes
Podworld
EU politics and policies are messy and filled with jargon hard to understand, which makes it almost impossible to keep up with the latest developments in the EU. But trust us – there is plenty of exciting stuff all over the continent that you may not even be aware of!
EU Untangled is here to help you make sense of this mess and speak of the politics and policies in a simple – yet informative– way so you can understand what’s going on behind the headlines.
Join Victor, Harpa, Alex and their guests on a trip across the EU as they untangle the complex ball of yarn that is EU politics.
What is money in the digital age? Cash, cards, crypto – and now central bank digital currencies. The European Central Bank is working on a digital euro, a new form of central bank-backed money meant to boost Europe’s autonomy, competitiveness, and innovation.
In this episode, we explore how a digital euro might work in practice, what benefits it could bring, and why its current design risks falling short. Is this a bold step into the future of payments or a missed chance to rethink Europe’s financial system?
Whether you’re curious about the future of cash, the rise of digital payments, or Europe’s place in the global financial system, this episode breaks down what’s at stake as the euro goes digital.
Guest: Cyril Monnet, Professor of Economics at the University of Bern and the Study Centre Gerzensee.
Hosts and producers: Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth.
Research and communication support: Martina Domladovac.
Further reading:* About the digital euro (European Central Bank) * “Key objectives of the digital euro” by Christine Lagarde and Fabio Panetta (European Central Bank) * Digital euro package (European Commission) * “Why the digital euro might be dead on arrival” by Cyril Monnet and Dirk Niepelt (CEPR) * “Money is Memory” by Narayana R. Kocherlakota (Journal of Economic Theory)
Listen … to a few of our previous episodes:
- “Tastes like Europe: how the EU protects its most famous products?”
- “Explaining the EU: one meme at a time (with DG MEME)”
- “Can the EU have an army?”
- “How to land a job in the EU?”
Subscribe* Spotify * Apple Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact* Website * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn * Threads * Mastodon * Bluesky * X (Twitter)
What do Champagne, Halloumi and Parma ham all have in common? They’re not just delicious — they’re protected. Andrea Zappalaglio helps us unpack the world of geographical indications (GIs), the EU’s unique way of safeguarding products that are deeply tied to a specific place, tradition, and know-how.
We unpack what GIs are, why they exist, who decides what makes the cut, and what happens when a dispute bubbles up (yes, even over bubbly). We discuss whether GIs help local communities thrive or if they limit competition. Are they powerful tools in trade negotiations, or barriers to entry? And what happens when climate change or new technology shakes up centuries-old traditions?
If you’ve ever wondered why names matter — and how a simple label can carry history, pride, and billions of euros — this episode uncorks the secrets behind the EU’s most flavorful rules.
Guest: Andrea Zappalaglio, Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at the University of Leeds.
Hosts and producers: Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth.
Research and communication support:Lisa Vallese and Martina Domladovac.
Further reading* Geographical indications and quality schemes explained (European Commission) * How the war on terroir was won – Part 1 (Euractiv) * Study on the Functioning of the EU GI System (Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition) * Europe’s traditional food scheme becomes a global tourism goldmine (Euractiv) * The Future of Geographical Indications (Edward Elgar Publishing)
Listen … to a few of our previous episodes:
- “Can the EU regulate AI intelligently? (with Nicolas Moës, The Future Society)”
- “Explaining the EU: one meme at a time (with DG MEME)”
- “Can the EU have an army?”
- “How to land a job in the EU?”
Subscribe* Spotify * Apple Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact* Website * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn * Threads * Mastodon * Bluesky * X (Twitter)
In this episode of EU Untangled, hosts Alex and Victor sit down with Nicolas Moës, Executive Director of The Future Society, to explore the promises and perils of artificial intelligence. They discuss the risks AI poses not only to individuals but to society as a whole. Nicolas explains why the EU is regulating AI and whether the AI Act goes far enough. Finally, they debate whether the EU is falling behind in digital innovation due to overregulation and how smarter rules could actually lead to more innovation.
Guest: Nicolas Moës, Executive Director of The Future Society
Hosted & produced by Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth; Lisa Vallese and Martina Domladovac supported the preparation and communication.
Further readings* EU AI Act (European Commission) * DeepSeek: The Chinese AI app that has the world talking (BBC) * Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk would like to ‘delete all IP law’ (Techcrunch) * How we’re responding to The New York Times’ data demands in order to protect user privacy (OpenAI) * Colossus: World’s biggest supercomputer aims 1 million GPUs to shake AI world (Interesting Engineering)
Listen… to a few of our previous episodes
- “Explaining the EU: one meme at a time (with DG MEME)”
- “Can the EU have an army?”
- “Can the EU engineer innovation?”
- “How to land a job in the EU?”
Subscribe* Spotify * Apple Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact* Website * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn * Threads * Mastodon * Bluesky * Twitter/X
The EU is often seen as a maze of bureaucracy, endless rules, and policymaking so complex it needs a manual, but humor? Not exactly its strong suit. Enter DG MEME, the website that pokes fun at EU politics while making it more understandable, one meme at a time. In this episode of EU Untangled, we sit down with Fabio Mauri, the mastermind behind DG MEME, to talk about how it all started, the creative process behind the scenes, and whether Brussels can actually laugh about itself.
Guest: Fabio Mauri, Director-General of DG MEME (Directorate-General for Memes, Satire and Sober Fun)
Hosted & produced by Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth; Lisa Vallese supported the preparation and communication.
How to find and follow DG MEME:* Website * Instagram * Facebook * Bluesky * X
Further readings* DG MEME’s conversation with Ursula von der Leyen (DG Meme) * Book by DG MEME: Brave Old Europe: or how I learned to stop worrying and love the European Union (Amazon) * Inside the Commission’s satire department (Politico) * DG MEME author: Eurocrats call me ‘troublemaker’ (Euractiv)
Listen… to a few of our previous episodes
- “Can the EU have an army?”
- “Can the EU engineer innovation?”
- “How to land a job in the EU?”
Subscribe* Spotify * Apple Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact* Website * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn * Threads * Mastodon * Bluesky * Twitter/X
Welcome to a “The Week Untangled” by EU Untangled. We look back at the past week to give you a quick and dirty recap of what has happened in the past seven days in and around the EU. Short, crisp and sassy. So, you can recap the week and enter the weekend with a clear conscience, feeling well-informed, knowing that you didn’t miss anything important.
Links:* The tiny Alpine principality of Liechtenstein is set to get its first female prime minister (AP News) * Baltic countries sever final power ties with Russia (Politico.eu) * Video from the inauguration ceremony (DG Meme via Bluesky) * Macron signals investments of 109 billion euros in French AI by private sector (Reuters) * EU launches InvestAI initiative to mobilise €200 billion of investment in artificial intelligence (EU Commission) * Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet (Élysée) * Trump expands steel and aluminum tariffs to all countries (Politico.com) * EU plans radical budget overhaul handing more power to capitals (Financial Times) * Austrian government negotiations collapse again (Euractiv) * Hegseth calls Ukraine’s return to old borders ‘unrealistic’ (Politico.com) * Ukraine war talks start now, Trump says after Putin call (BBC) * National strike in Belgium as protesters rally against new government reforms (Euronews) * Trump Says He’ll Rework Global Trading Relations With ‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs (New York Times) * Munich Security Conference 2025 * Vance’s Munich tirade leaves Europe guessing on Ukraine (Euractiv)
Listen… to a few of our previous episodes
- “Can the EU have an army?”
- “Can the EU engineer innovation?”
- “How to land a job in the EU?”
Subscribe* Spotify * Apple Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact* Website * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn * Threads * Mastodon * Bluesky * Twitter/X
The European Union is a powerhouse in many ways – a shared market, a common currency, and a united front on everything from climate policy to consumer protection. But when it comes to defence, things get murky. Despite its origins as a peace project after two world wars, the EU lacks a unified defence policy or an army of its own. Why is that? And could or should that ever change? In this episode of EU Untangled, Ionela Ciolan, research officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, outlines the current security threats to the EU and what should be done to address them. She also highlights the challenges of the European defence industry and answers whether the EU should have its own army.
Guest: Ionela Ciolan, Research Officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies
Hosted & produced by Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth; Lisa Vallese supported the preparation and communication.
Selected publications by Ionela* Proposal for the European Commission White Paper on The Future of European Defence * The 7Ds – Defence Extended * The European Union is Getting Serious on Defence
Further readings* Mission Letter to Andrius Kubilius (European Commission) * European defence industry programme (EPRS) * EDIS | Our common defence industrial strategy (European Commission) * CSDP structure, instruments and agencies (EEAS) * Defence expenditures and NATO’s 2% guideline (NATO) * Government expenditure on defence (Eurostat) * Get realist: How the EU can secure its position amid great power rivalry (ECFR) * Defending Europe with less America (ECFR) * Europe has a real defense commissioner — just not one appointed by Ursula von der Leyen (Politico) * The never-ending debate of the European Army and why it is unhelpful (Heinrich Böll Siftung) * Standard Eurobarometer 101 – Spring 2024 (European Union)
Listen… to a few of our previous episodes
- “The three towers: how many seats to rule them all?”
- “Can the EU engineer innovation?”
- “How to land a job in the EU?”
Subscribe* Spotify * Apple Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact* Website * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn * Threads * Mastodon * Bluesky * Twitter/X * Youtube
This episode unravels the complexities of the Spitzenkandidat process ahead of the European elections on 6-9 June. Discover what a Spitzenkandidat is, the story behind its creation, and how it works, or doesn’t. From its origins to the current candidates and the tug-of-war between the European Parliament and the European Council, we dive deep into this key element of EU politics. Whether you’re an EU enthusiast or just curious (or confused), this episode will give you the insights you need ahead of the next European elections. Tune in and get untangled with us!
Hosted & produced by Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth; Lisa Vallese supported the preparation and communication.
Links* Lead candidates: who should head the European Commission? (European Parliament) * MEPs propose lead candidate system rules ahead of European elections (European Parliament) * European elections 2024: all you need to know (EPRS) * Spitzenkandidaten or the lead candidate process (EPRS) * EU election debate exposes weakness of lead candidate system (Euractiv) * The lead candidate procedure isn’t dead – but it’s no longer what its inventors intended it to be (CEPS) * Top jobs timeline: What happens after the European election (Politico) * ‘Very disappointed’ Manfred Weber blames Macron and Orbán (Politico) * Spitzenkandidaten: Democratic fix or political charade? (Euronews)
Listen … to a few of our previous episodes
- “The three towers: how many seats to rule them all?”
- “Can the EU engineer innovation?”
- “How to land a job in the EU?”
Subscribe * Spotify * Apple Podcast * Google Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact * Website * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn * Threads * Mastodon * Bluesky * Twitter/X
Join Victor Aguilar and Alex Roth as they tackle the fiery debate surrounding the European Parliament’s odd arrangement of having a “single seat” but multiple places of work. Why do hundreds of parliamentary staff travel monthly between Brussels and Strasbourg? Is this practice a symbol of unity or an outdated extravagance?
We discuss the practicality and cost of this system, citing concerns over inefficiencies, environmental impact, and logistical nightmares. But we also highlight the historical and symbolic importance of Strasbourg, arguing that it represents peace and balance within the EU. Could a single place of work simplify the operations of the house of EU democracy, or would it undermine the very ideals upon which the EU was built?
Tune in for an interesting debate and explore whether tradition or transformation should prevail in the governance of the European Parliament. Engage with us across our social platforms—your thoughts might just shape the next episode!
See EU next time!
Hosted & produced byVictor Aguilar & Alexander Roth
Useful links* Video on “Why does the Parliament have two seats?” (European Parliament) * Why does Parliament move between Brussels and Strasbourg? (European Parliament) * EU parliament’s €114m-a-year move to Strasbourg ‘a waste of money’, but will it ever be scrapped? (euronews) * Analysis of potential savings to the EU budget if the European Parliament centralised its Operations (European Court of Auditors) * 2023 Environmental Statement covering 2022 (European Parliament) * Over 90 percent of EU Parliament staff sick of Strasbourg (EU Monitor) * Strasbourg suffers as coronavirus keeps Parliament away (Politico) * Keep the European Parliament in Strasbourg to fight Euroskepticism, says city’s mayor (Politico)
Listen… to a few of our previous episodes:
- “Can the EU engineer innovation?”
- “Tracking the ups and downs of cross-border train travel in the EU”
- “How to land a job in the EU?”
Subscribe* Spotify * Apple Podcast * Google Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact* Website * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter * Mastodon * LinkedIn
The post The three towers: how many seats to rule them all? appeared first on EU Untangled.
Innovation is at the heart of human progress. The printing press, the steam engine, the automobile, and now AI have led to industrial and social revolutions. In modern history, Europe has been the cradle of countless technological innovations, but more recently, it seems to be playing catch-up with other regions. The EU is aware of this, and it has ambitious plans in store to ramp up innovation in the digital age. The million-dollar question is: can the EU succeed?
In today’s episode, we discuss what innovation is, why it matters, and what the EU is doing to earn itself a place among innovation champions.
About our guestPaul Hünermund is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Innovation at Copenhagen Business School. He is also the co-founder of causalscience.org, a platform for fostering knowledge exchange between industry and academia on causal data science.
Liene Briede is the Vice-Rector for Innovation at Riga Technical University and a European Innovation Council Board Member. Over the past ten years, she has worked tirelessly to improve the Latvian and Baltic innovation ecosystem.
Hosted & produced byVictor Aguilar & Alexander Roth
Useful links* Horizon Europe (European Commission) * New European Innovation Agenda (European Commission) * European Innovation Council (European Commission) * European Innovation Scoreboard 2023 (European Commission) * EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard 2022 (European Commission) * Securing Europe’s competitiveness: Addressing its technology gap (McKinsey Global Institute) * EIB Investment Report 2022/2023 (European Investment Bank) * Startup Heatmap Europe (DEEP Ecosystems) * Opening speech by President von der Leyen at the European Innovation Council Launch Ceremony (European Commission) * Speech by President von der Leyen at the EU Industry Days 2022 (European Commission) * From Spotify to Minecraft, Sweden Proves Fertile Ground for Unicorns (Bloomberg) * Artificial intelligence, blockchain and the future of Europe: How disruptive technologies create opportunities for a green and digital economy (European Commission & European Investment Bank) * Privacy Regulation and Firm Performance: Estimating the GDPR Effect Globally (Oxford Martin School) * How GDPR Changed European Companies’ Tech Stacks (Harvard Business Review)
Listen… to a few of our previous episodes
- “Tracking the ups and downs of cross-border train travel in the EU”
- “How to land a job in the EU?”
- “Let’s get digital” (the EU’s digital strategy)
Subscribe* Spotify * Apple Podcast * Google Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact* Website * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter * Mastodon
The post Can the EU engineer innovation? appeared first on EU Untangled.
Let’s be honest, how often do you take the train when crossing borders in the EU? We know flying is anything but sustainable. Yet, the prospect of jetting to our family, friends, or holiday destination fast and (ahem) cheap is all too tempting. Trains have a hard time competing against planes: booking is complicated, trips often take longer, and prices can be irrationally high.
We join forces with Philipp Cerny to untangle the complexity of EU cross-border train travel. After all, Europe has one of the densest railway networks in the world, but markets, policy and incentives seem to move like a slow train coming…
About our guestPhilipp Cerny is a transport policy consultant and the Chief Executive Editor of the European Mobility Atlas 2021. He has worked as an advisor on transport policy at the European Parliament and was a member of the supervisory board of a German railway company.
Hosted & produced by: Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth
Useful links* European Mobility Atlas 2021 (Heinrich Böll Stiftung Brussels) * EU rail transport policy (European Commission) * The Single European Railway Area (Council of the European Union) * Legislative proposal on multimodal digital mobility services (European Parliament) * Fragmented rail system hampers shift to trains, says EU agency boss (Euractiv) * Derailed — The desolate state of European railways (Investigate Europe) * Community: How to cross Europe by train — or not (Investigate Europe)
Listen… to a few of our previous episodes
- “How to land a job in the EU?”
- “Let’s get digital” (the EU’s digital strategy)
- “Brussels jargon: breaking down the lingua franca of the EU Bubble”
Subscribe* Spotify * Apple Podcast * Google Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact* Website * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter * Mastodon
The post Tracking the ups and downs of cross-border train travel in the EU appeared first on EU Untangled.
Dreaming of landing a well-paid job in the EU institutions? Thinking of having an impact on EU policy? Know that first you must navigate the EU recruitment jungle. Tune in to discover where to find the right information, what to expect from the recruitment exams, and what obscure acronyms such as “EPSO”, “CAST” or “FG IV” really mean. Our guest, Chiara Bellani, who has worked in the EU Commission for several years, helps us untangle the EU selection process.
Hosted & produced by: Victor Aguilar & Alexander Roth
Useful links* Overview EPSO test (EPSO) * Information on CAST (EPSO) * Upcoming selection procedures (EPSO) * Introducing a faster, leaner and more accessible competition model! (EPSO) * The European Personnel Selection Office: Time to adapt the selection process to changing recruitment needs (European Court of Auditors) * Auditors call on EU institutions to change hiring process (Euractiv) * EU shift to online recruitment sparks outrage (politico.eu) * Work with the European Union (Humanitarian Designers)
Listen… to few of our previous episodes
- “Let’s get digital”
- “Brussels jargon: breaking down the lingua franca of the EU Bubble”
Subscribe* Spotify * Apple Podcast * Google Podcast * RSS Feed
Contact* Website (new!) * E-Mail * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter
The post How to land a job in the EU? appeared first on EU Untangled.
Description
The European Union has an ambitious strategy to usher in data-driven innovation and stay competitive in the digital age. Proposals such as the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act have been making waves in the EU and abroad, promising to reign in tech giants and protect human rights online. But why all the fuzz? What sets these initiatives apart and can they live up to their promise? What else is in the EU's digital arsenal and why should we care? Is Europe too early or too late to the digital party? Buckle up, tune in to EU Untangled, and get into digital with us.
Links
- The Digital Markets Act: ensuring fair and open digital markets (European Commission)
- The Digital Services Act: ensuring a safe and accountable online environment(European Commission)
- European data strategy (European Commission)
- Data Act: Commission proposes measures for a fair and innovative data economy(European Commission)
- Data governance: deal on new rules to boost data sharing across the EU (European Parliament)
- How Europe has expanded its bid to disrupt Big Tech (TechCrunch)
- Europe seals a deal on tighter rules for digital services (TechCrunch)
- The EU's Digital Services Act — what you need to know (The Stack)
- Digital Services Act: Wie die EU das Internet künftig regulieren wird (heise online)
- Thierry Breton's Spotify Profile (Spotify)
Contact
We would be happy if you leave us a comment on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or contact us via email (untangled@podworld.org) or check out our website.
The EU Bubble (or should we say "babble"?) has developed its own language. Known as "Eurospeak", "Euro-English", or "Brussels English" it is a tongue twister of its own: an international version of English filled with all kinds of technocratic terms and borrowed expressions. In this summer edition, EU Untangled uncovers the origins and sounds of this strange language and takes a ride through its highs and lows.
We would be happy if you leave us a comment on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or contact us via email (untangled@podworld.org) or check out our website.
- War of words: who will win the eurojargon battle (Euronews, 09 January 2014)
- Misused English Words and Expressions in EU Publications (European Court of auditors, September 2014)
- 22 ugly EU jargon words we really hate (Clear Europe, 14 October 2014)
- "Parlez-vous Eurospeak?" (Decoding Europe, 14 August 2015)
- EU jargon: A-Z guide to Brussels-speak (BBC News, 16 May 2016)
- We need to talk about EU jargon (again) (redThread, 22 February 2018)
- Glossary (for terms used in the EU) (Interreg Europe)
Much has been said about the EU Vaccines Strategy in recent weeks and months. Coverage from various media can largely be boiled down to the conclusion that despite good intentions, the EU strategy is simply a case of "too little, too late". But is there more to this story? How does the roll-out of the EU strategy measure up against that rest of the world? And most importantly, what are our reference points? Join Alex, Harpa and Vic on a deep dive into the EU Vaccines Strategy and discover the good, the bad and the ethically questionable elements of the complex world of COVID-19 vaccines distribution.
COVID-19 data
- Official COVID-19 statistics for the EU/EEA from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (EDCD)
- European Commission data on vaccination rates in the EU
The EU’s Vaccines Strategy
- The EU Vaccines Strategy
- EU and National Institutions involved in the procurement and distribution of vaccines and data collection in the EU/EEA.
- The EU’s regulatory process for evaluation and approval of vaccines and key facts on COVID-19 vaccines.
- "Europe’s Vaccination Problem" (The Daily, 12 April 2021)
- "How Europe fell behind on vaccines" (Politico, 27 January 2021)
- "The European Union’s troubled COVID-19 vaccine rollout" (PIEE, 15 March 2021)
Supply chains
- "How vaccines are made, and why it is hard" (The Economist, 4 February 2021)
- "Inside Pfizer’s Fast, Fraught, and Lucrative Vaccine Distribution" (Bloomberg Businessweek, 4 March 2021)
- "Why manufacturing Covid vaccines at scale is hard" (Chemistry World, 23 March 2021)
- "Industrial Policy Saved Europe’s Vaccine Drive" (Foreign Policy, 10 May 2021)
Contact and social media
We would be happy if you leave us a comment on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or contact us via email (untangled@podworld.org) or check out our website.
From the new crowdsourced Icelandic constitution to the abandoned EU constitution
A constitution lays the foundations for how a society is organised and the fundamental principles that must underpin all laws and government decision-making. But how much do constitutions really impact our daily lives? Should they be updated to reflect rapid societal changes? How would you even go about making a new constitution in the first place? And whatever happened to the new Icelandic and EU constitutions? Tune in and listen to Vic, Alex and Harpa ponder these questions with the help of Valgerður, PhD student at the University of Iceland, who is researching citizen participation in constitutional reform in Iceland over the past 10 years.
Show notes
Iceland
The new Icelandic Constitution petition with over 43.000 signatures (a lot for tiny Iceland!)
The Icelandic Constitution in English
Germany
The Basic Law a.k.a. the German Constitution in English
Mexico
The Mexican Constitution in English
The EU
EU treaties
Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe
About Europe Day and the Schuman Declaration
“Ratification problems loom over Convention”, euobserver, 31 May 2003
“EU scraps timetable for ratifying constitution”, The Guardian, 17 Jun 2005
Other
The North Korean Constitution in English
"15 of the hardest-to-pronounce names - and the right way to say them”, Stuff, 28 Mar 2019
“Longest personal name”, Guiness World Records, 1 January 2021
Contact and social media
Check out our website (https://www.podworld.org/untangled/) and anchor profile (https://anchor.fm/untangled).
We would be happy if you leave us a comment or contact us via email or social media.
Email: untangled@podworld.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eu.untangled
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eu.untangled
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eu_untangled
"A life-changing experience" might be an accurate way to define the Erasmus+ programme. Over the past three decades, the EU's flagship programme has allowed over 10 million people to benefit from cross-border exchanges in Europe and beyond. Now, Erasmus+ is undergoing changes of its own caused by a larger budget, a messy Brexit and a ravaging pandemic that has stalled mobility flows all over the world. ESN President Kostis Giannidis joins Victor, Harpa and Alex to discuss the challenges and opportunities lying ahead of an Erasmus+ programme that promises to be more inclusive, more digital and a lot greener.
Our guest, Kostis Giannidis (link, twitter), is the president of the Erasmus Student Network (website, twitter).
Further readings and sources:
Erasmus+
Erasmus+: over €28 billion to support mobility and learning for all, across the European Union and beyond (European Commission)
Europe needs a bigger, more inclusive Erasmus programme (European Data Journalism Network)
Quietly sprouting: A European identity (The New York Times)
Standard Eurobarometer Spring 2019: Public opinion in the European Union (European Commission)
The Erasmus acronym: according to the European Commission; according to the European Council
Turing Scheme
New Turing scheme to support thousands of students to study and work abroad (UK Government)
Iceland
´I’m not scared, just tired´: Icelanders lose sleep over earthquake tremors (The Guardian)
Contact and social media
Check out our website (https://www.podworld.org/untangled/) and anchor profile (https://anchor.fm/untangled).
We would be happy if you leave us a comment or contact us via email or social media.
Email: untangled@podworld.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eu.untangled
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eu.untangled
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eu_untangled
This episode explores the European Commission's work programme for 2021 and the EU policies that will steal the show next year.
Links
- European Commission Work Programme 2021 (European Commission)
- The European Commission’s priorities (2019-2024) (European Commission)
Contact and social media
Check out our website (https://www.podworld.org/untangled/) and anchor profile (https://anchor.fm/untangled). We would be happy if you leave us a comment or contact us via email or social media.
Email: untangled@podworld.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eu.untangled
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eu.untangled
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eu_untangled
Thanks for tuning in!
Victor and Alex are rebooting EU Untangled with a discussion about the European Green Deal.
Check out our website (https://www.podworld.org/untangled/) and anchor profile (https://anchor.fm/untangled). We would be happy if you leave us a comment or reach us out!
Email: untangled@podworld.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eu.untangled
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/eu_untangled
Overview:A European Green Deal - overview page (European Commission)
A European Green Deal - official communication (European Commission)
EU Commission unveils ‘European Green Deal’: The key points (Euractiv)
Analysis:Four pillars to make or break the European Green Deal (Bruegel)
Criticism:A grey deal? (Corporate Europe Observatory)
Basescu: European Green Deal risks pushing 'two or three countries' towards EU exit (Euractiv)
The EU’s green deal is a colossal exercise in greenwashing | Yanis Varoufakis and David Adler (The Guardian)
EU’s climate law faces criticism on all fronts (Financial Times)
Is the European Green Deal sufficient?EU GHG Summary (Climate Action Tracker)
The EU’s Green Deal may not be enough to reach the Paris climate goals (LSE Blog)
CAN Europe calls for an increase of the EU's 2030 climate target to at least 65% (CAN Europe)
About the name:Zur Entstehungsgeschichte des Green New Deal - Revival eines Begriffs (in German) (Heinrich Böll Stiftung)
I’ll tell you what I want, what I really really want. A referendum gives the people the option to have the final say in political matters of the utmost importance. And that’s what we ALL want, right? Well, the story of Brexit tells us that despite their relative simplicity, referendums can be a very tricky business. Harpa, Alex and Victor ponder the pros and cons of this direct form of democracy and showcase how they can pull one nation from the brink of bankruptcy while threatening to push another one over the edge. Saying yes or no has never been this complicated.
LINKSDavid Cameron’s Speech After ‘Brexit’ vote - The New York Times.
Non! Nein! No! A Country That Wouldn’t Let Women Vote Till 1971 - National Geographic.
The Icesave referendum - The Economist.
This is how Switzerland’s direct democracy works - World Economic Forum.
European Parliament’s study on referendums on EU matters.
Fraser Cameron on ‘Why we should ban referenda on EU policies’ - Euractiv.
SOCIAL
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From the 23 to the 26 of May, the citizens of 28 (most likely 27... ) countries will vote in the largest transnational elections in the world. Over 700 members will be elected to the European Parliament and Bruzzels is buzzing with excitement. But what exactly is the European Parliament and what role does it play in the EU? With so much at stake, why has voter turnout plunged over the past four decades? What are the political groups? Are there any newbies in the race? Stick around and let Victor, Harpa and Anna walk you through the maze of EU politics (we can’t promise you’ll find the exit, though…).
LINKSLearn about how EU elections work directly from their makers. POLITICO has put together a comprehensive website to keep you abreast of the latest developments related to the EU elections.
SOCIAL
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, write us an emailor buy us a beer.
Not all that glitters is gold and not all gold shines bright. Rosie Birchard helps us examine the dark glow of the EU golden visas and passports, as well as the risks and ethical questions that arise from the murky business of selling and buying EU citizenship.
LINKS
You can download here the full report of the European Commission on Investor Citizenship and Residence Schemes in the European Union. Or take a lighter read on the topic on The Atlantic or The Guardian.
SOCIAL
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Ever since the World Wide Web gave us all access to the Internet, it has fundamentally changed our communications, businesses, services and even politics. Now, policies are trying to catch up, and the Internet as we know it may be about to change for good. The European Union’s Parliament has approved a new legislation to address copyright issues in the digital era. We interview the man pushing for this regulation to kick in. MEP Axel Voss helps us untangle the reasons, the ambition and the challenges of trying to regulate the Internet. Are these measures a threat to freedom of speech online or a necessary intervention to level the playing field for copyright holders?
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Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYROM) have for decades clashed over nine letters: M-A-C-E-D-O-N-I-A. The conflict isn’t new, but the solution is. Last June, the two nations signed an agreement that officially changes fYROM's name to the "Republic of North Macedonia". But why did the country have to change its name in the first place? What exactly is Macedonia? Why is this happening now? And, what are the implications of the agreement being ratified by the two nations? Tune in and we will try to untangle this complex, messy situation for you.
LINKS
- Macedonia and Greece sign Historic Deal on Name Change - The New York Times
- Greece’s Macedonian Touchstone - The New York Times
- In the Balkans, Russia and the West Fight a Disinformation-Age Battle - The New York Times
- Macedonia’s messy referendum, puts name deal at risk - POLITICO
- Macedonia parliament votes to start name change process - BBC News
- Iceland vs Iceland: Iceland Foods hits back at Icelandic government over trademark - BBC News
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Welcome to EU Untangled, the podcast that helps you to understand the large picture and the nitty-gritty details of EU politics. Check out our new website: http://www.podworld.org/untangled
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