Hungarian prime minister Péter Magyar is expected in Brussels this week, seeking to reach an agreement with the EU Commission on unlocking €10.4bn in frozen funds. To achieve that, Magyar needs to present reforms that are acceptable to the EU. What would these reforms mean for Hungarians?
In 2003, the EU promised the Western Balkans that they would one day become members. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro are all candidates for EU membership. Why are they still waiting after more than two decades?
In 2020, the European Parliament even adopted a resolution calling for the EU to become more self-sufficient in medicine security by securing supplies, restoring local medicine production, and better coordinating national health strategies at the EU level. But can the EU actually achieve pharmaceutical sovereignty?
How far is the EU willing to go to deport irregular migrants?
Why should defence spending benefit from budget flexibility, but not energy crisis spending?
Moscow was hit by 600 Ukrainian drones over the weekend, a few days after a 9 May Victory Day parade on Red Square that was noticeably scaled back. Is Russia starting to lose momentum in its war against Ukraine?
Last week, the European Commission proposed easier cross-border transport in a new strategy. But what is it, and can it really improve travelling across the EU?
Just two weeks after the EU-Mercosur trade agreement took effect, the EU announced a September ban on Brazilian meat imports over the use of antimicrobials for animal growth. Is this ban permanent, and what does it reveal about the limits of the agreement?
As the US pivots away, Europe faces a critical defence gap against Russia. While leaders debate a 100,000-strong common army or increased GDP spending, the path forward remains blocked by concerns over national sovereignty and the risk of undermining Nato.
Record-breaking wildfires have already burned vast areas worldwide this year, fueled by droughts, heatwaves and climate change. Beyond destroying ecosystems and releasing massive CO2 emissions, fires threaten long-term environmental recovery. Is there a way we can adapt to this new reality?
Two years after adopting its AI Act, the EU is already preparing to simplify it. Does this mean Europeans are scaling back their regulatory ambitions on AI?
In this episode, Léa Marchal explores the return of austerity across Europe, focusing on Belgium’s 2025 spending cuts under prime minister Bart De Wever. It highlights reductions in welfare and pensions, public backlash, EU deficit rules driving reforms, and concerns that austerity weakens public services while failing to solve long-term economic problems.
The European Union has set a goal of eradicating poverty by 2050. Is that realistic?
In this episode, Léa Marchal explores how EU Green Deal laws face “simplification” pressures to boost economic competitiveness. While the Commission maintains some standards, key climate and due diligence regulations are being delayed or weakened to appease member states and industry lobbyists.
A few days ago, Donald Trump threatened Europeans with new tariffs on cars. This time around, will the EU show some teeth?
After taking office in May 2025, following a snap election, Friedrich Merz has steered Germany through a period of significant geopolitical and economic transition. One year in, Merz faces record unpopularity — so what can we make of his record so far?
The EU has relaunched contact with Syria after years of frozen relations.
But what does it mean for Syrians in Europe?
The European Commission is doubling down on clean energy to solve the price crisis. But since the transition won’t happen overnight, what’s the plan?
Fifteen years after the push for liberalisation began, progress on Europe’s railways is being made — but there’s still a long way to go. Some long-distance train journeys are 26 times more expensive than flying.
Can we really force platforms to follow our rules? We have powerful legal tools, like the DSA. But it’s also political. It’s part of a broader, complex relationship between Europe and the United States—one that has grown more strained since Donald Trump took office.