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Europod •

The ‘always on’ culture and the battle for the right to disconnect

Work emails at night. Messages from your boss after dinner. The pressure to be “always on” has become the norm, blurring the line between work and life, and pushing more people toward burnout. In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we look at how digital tools, remote work, and workplace expectations are wearing us down and whether the growing push for a legal right to disconnect can turn things around.We spoke to Professor Claudia Pagliari, expert in digital health and tech ethics at the Univers...
Europod •

France’s recognition of Palestine and Europe’s tough talk come a little too late

Today, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting an emergency call with his E3 counterparts, France and Germany, to address what’s now being widely described as a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. “The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible,” said Starmer, in what was, frankly, a long-overdue acknowledgment of the scale of the crisis. He also called Palestinian statehood “an inalienable right.”
But as European leaders speak louder than ever, is this a turning point for EU foreign policy, or just another round of moral posturing?
Europod •

How Greece’s new asylum ban violates international law

Greece introduced today, July 11th, a controversial emergency law, suspending the registration of asylum applications for three months for people arriving by sea from North Africa. The Greek government defends the new law as a matter of national urgency. Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis cited a 350% increase in arrivals, claiming that two-thirds of those entering the country do not qualify for humanitarian protection. The newly appointed Migration Minister, Thanos Plevris, who assumed offic...
Europod •

Budapest pride ban and transparency law: What’s at Stake in Hungary? - with MEP Daniel Freund

All eyes are on Budapest this weekend, where the annual Pride march has been banned by Hungarian authorities, citing laws against so-called “LGBTQ propaganda”. But the parade is going ahead anyway on Saturday,  and so are the politics.Among those attending is MEP Daniel Freund, who has long criticised Viktor Orbán’s government for its attacks on democracy, civil society, and LGBTQ rights. In this episode, we speak to him about the proposed Transparency of Public Life law, the ban, what’s at stak...
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Europod •

One Union, many families: The fight for rainbow parenthood

What does it really mean to be a rainbow family in the European Union? In this episode of Europe Talks Back,we explore the promise, and the shortcomings of the European Certificate of Parenthood, a regulation meant to ensure that parenthood rights are recognised across all 27 EU countries. From Spain to Bulgaria, Italy to Poland, we look at what’s happening when same-sex families cross borders, only to find that their legal status doesn’t always travel with them.
To unpack the legal grey zones,...
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Europod •

EU leaked report on Gaza increases pressure on Israel and Brussels

An internal report written by the EU foreign service in late 2024 has resurfaced this time, in full.
The document, originally kept confidential, was published yesterday by the EU Observer and it outlines findings from a human rights audit that was ordered by the EU’s then, foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell. But what is in the report and what could it mean for the EU- Israel trade agreement?

An internal report written by the EU foreign service in late 2024 has resurfaced this time, in full.

T...
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Europod •

Are Europe’s culture wars just a distraction from class struggle?

In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we explore how Europe’s so-called culture wars are used to divert attention from structural economic issues.
With insight from political scientist and member of the Social Democrats Justus Seuferle and Politics Professor at the University of Bath, Aurélien Mondon, the episode examines how political and media discourse has shifted away from material concerns like wages, housing, and labour rights, towards debates on identity, migration, and “wokeness.”
Our gu...
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Europod •

EU reviews ties with Israel amid Gaza crisis. Is it too late?

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the UN warning that 14,000 babies could die within 48hours if aid does not reach communities in the Strip, finally, pushed the European Union into a moment of reckoning. But this comes after more than 19 months of Israeli military operations in Gaza and three months of suspended humanitarian aid, prompting several EU member states to call for a formal review of the EU’s political and economic relations with Israel. But can this review lead to policy chang...
Europod •

The fossil fuel PR machine Europe doesn’t want to talk about

They say money talks. But sometimes, it whispers, behind closed doors, in Brussels boardrooms, and inside sleek offices of public affairs firms you’ve probably never heard of. While the world tries to phase out fossil fuels, a handful of lobbying and law firms are working hard to protect them. Not because it’s good for the planet, but because big oil still pays. 
A new analysis by the Good Lobby reveals just how deep the ties run between powerful lobbying firms and the fossil fuel giants they qu...
Europod •

Long Story Short with David Carretta: Italy’s Meloni negotiating with Trump

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in Washington to meet with Donald Trump, a visit that puts her in a delicate position, as she tries to balance the interests of the European Union while staying in the good graces of the  U.S. president.
To dig a bit deeper into what this visit means for Europe, but mostly for Italy and Giorgia Meloni’s political strategy, I’m joined by David Carretta, journalist for Radio Radicale, Il Foglio, and the newsletter Il Mattinale Europeo.

Italian Prime Minist...
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Europod •

How religious power is still shaping abortion laws in some European countries

Abortion remains illegal in Malta and highly restricted in Poland, despite ongoing pressure from European institutions to uphold reproductive rights. In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we examine the historical and current influence of religious institutions on abortion policy across Europe, and the political forces maintaining these restrictions.
We are joined by Neil Datta, Executive Director and founder of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, and Magdalena C...
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Europod •

Why Spain’s housing crisis is a European one

This weekend, the streets of Spain turned to an orange and green “no” due to mass protests over housing. Tens of thousands of people across 40 cities took to the streets demanding what should be pretty basic in 2025, affordable housing. 
But what action is the government taking to solve the housing crisis and why is this more than just a Spanish problem?

This weekend, the streets of Spain turned to an orange and green “no” due to mass protests over housing. Tens of thousands of people across 40...
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Europod •

EPP’s NGO transparency funding review fails by a single vote

On Monday evening, the European People’s Party EPP tried and failed to push for a review of how the European Commission funds certain climate NGOs. The text voted by the MEP’s in Strasbourg argues that the Commission is basically paying NGOs to lobby for the Green Deal. Or,simply put, hiring cheerleaders for its own policies.
But what is the underlying reason the EPP has declared war on NGOs and did the Commission water down the agreement over NGO lobbying transparency?
Join us on our journey th...
Europod •

Le Pen found guilty: A big bang moment for French politics?

The latest news says that Marine Le Pen and eight other MEPs have been found guilty of embezzling EU funds by a Paris court. This isn’t just a slap on the wrist,  it’s a political earthquake. 
The presiding judge, Bénédicte de Perthuis, warned from the start that the judgment would be lengthy, packed with explanations for the decision taken. And yet, here’s the first headline: guilty as charged. 
What happens if Le Pen is banned from running and why is this a moment of big bang for French politi...
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Europod •

Erdoğan jails rival fueling protests and democracy fears

On Sunday, Turkey took a sharp turn toward full-blown autocracy. Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, arguably President Tayyip Erdoğan’s biggest political rival, was arrested and removed from office. Allegedly his crime is corruption. But in reality this is a textbook political purge. 
What does İmamoğlu’s arrest mean for Turkey’s political future and can Europe collaborate with a country sliding into dictatorship?

On Sunday, Turkey took a sharp turn toward full-blown autocracy. Istanbul’s mayor,...
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Europod •

Europe’s fight against femicide despite data gaps and taboos has begun

Femicide is not just a word. It’s a tragedy, and a manifestation of the deep-rooted inequality women face in every corner of society. It’s not just the tragic end of a life; it’s the culmination of years of violence, abuse, and power imbalances that have been allowed to fester unchecked.
Unfortunately, despite legal advancements, femicides remain a persistent issue across Europe. Some countries have introduced comprehensive laws to combat gender-based violence. But others still lack legal recogn...
Europod •

Greece: Massive protests over train disaster could crash the government | Europod • News

Two years after Greece’s deadliest train crash, the country is at a standstill. Today marks the anniversary of the Tempe rail disaster that killed 57 people. Despite repeated EU warnings about safety risks, Greece’s railway system remained dangerously outdated. Now, with no trial and growing suspicions of a government cover-up, public outrage is boiling over. So, today Greeks are taking to the streets in 350 cities worldwide, expressing their deep distrust in the government, as Prime Minister Ky...
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Europod •

The four-day workweek: Is Europe ready for the shift?

What if you could work fewer hours without losing pay? Some European countries are already testing the four-day workweek, and the results are in higher productivity, happier employees, and less burnout. But while some are working less, others are working more, like in Greece, where a six-day workweek has been introduced in certain sectors. So, is Europe really moving toward a better work-life balance, or is the dream of shorter workweeks just a luxury for a lucky few?
In this episode of Europe T...
Europod •

Europe’s toxic crisis: Plastics industry lobbying to shield 'forever chemicals’

Forever chemicals, the toxic, indestructible substances hiding in our everyday lives are threatening Europe’s environment and public health. From their staggering cleanup costs to the plastics industry’s relentless lobbying to block a ban, this episode unpacks the high stakes of PFAS pollution. Why should Europeans care? Because these chemicals don’t just stay in factories, they seep into our water, soil, and bodies. Tune in to explore what’s being done, what’s standing in the way, and why it’s...
www.euractiv.com •

Draghi report, competitiveness and EU corporate reporting requirements facing backlash

European businesses are increasingly concerned about the EU's growing regulatory and reporting requirements, which they say hamper competitiveness and productivity.

The combination of high energy prices (well above those in the US) and stringent sustainability and compliance requirements is putting pressure on several industries, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular.

While the European Union aims to reduce reporting obligations by 25%, the challenge is to balance simpl...
www.euractiv.com •

Commissioner hearings end without conclusions as the real negotiations begin

Tuesday (12 November) marked the last day of hearings at the European Parliament, yet no conclusions were reached – in a clear indication that all political parties have laid their cards on the table and are now negotiating over who gets what.

Evaluation meetings have been postponed with no timeline set, leaving many unanswered questions: what is happening behind closed doors, and what can we expect from the hearings’ conclusions in the coming days? 

To break down what has happened with the...
www.euractiv.com •

German coalition collapse: What European leaders fear

Germany’s coalition government collapsed on Wednesday, setting the stage for the first minority government in over 40 years and possible snap elections - a turn of events that has European leaders worried.

The breakdown, caused by long-running disputes over economic policy and budget constraints, culminated late on Wednesday when Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner after failed negotiations.

This marks a significant shift in German and European politics, wit...
www.euractiv.com •

US Election Night: What happened and what it means for the EU

Last night, Americans headed to the polls to shape not only their own future but also that of the rest of the world by voting for the next US president. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump went head-to-head for the US presidency in what is being called the most significant election in decades.

The race for the White House is expected to come down to seven key battleground states, and it could take days for officials to count enough votes to declare a winner. So, what happened on election night, and...
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Moldova and Georgia: how domestic struggles threaten EU dreams

Moldova and Georgia are at a crossroads in their paths toward European integration. Just recently, Moldova held a constitutional referendum where voters expressed their desire to enshrine EU aspirations. The contest turned out to be tighter than expected, with allegations of Russian interference and vote-buying. 

Further southeast on the continent, Georgian voters are preparing to cast their ballots in parliamentary elections this Saturday (October 26). The ruling party's close ties to Moscow...
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