What happens when the right to choose over your own body becomes a political battlefield?

The first episode of The Right to Decide explores the fight for abortion rights in Europe. Our host Sophie in ’t Veld sits down with Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Polish MEP and long-time women’s rights defender, to explore one of the most contested issues in Europe today. From Poland’s near-total ban on abortion to France’s constitutional

protection, we uncover how control over reproduction has become a test for democracy itself.

A podcast by the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights

Produced by Europod, in collaboration with Ambiorix Center

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the summer, a group of 24 European politicians, ministers, commissioners, senior officials, agreed to have their blood tested for toxic PFAS chemicals. The results that now came out showed that every single one of them tested positive. 

But will these results push Brussels to act or to water down its own rules again?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.

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After nearly two years of war in Gaza, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal, a development announced, rather dramatically, by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account. 

But after so many failed ceasefires, how much hope can people on the ground really have this time?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.

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In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we take you on a journey through European cities to explore how the EU’s Cohesion Policy turns funding into tangible improvements for citizens. From Zagreb’s modernised heating networks to Poland’s energy-efficient schools and Portugal’s greener public transport, the episode reveals how European investments support sustainability, energy efficiency, and urban development. 

Featuring an in-depth conversation with Adrian Teban, mayor of Cugir, Romania, we discover how cohesion funds are translated into real-life changes, from renovated hospitals and schools equipped with new technologies to enhanced local mobility and infrastructure. With insights from ESPON research and examples of innovative projects, this episode shows that Cohesion Policy is not just a budget line in Brussels; it is about the long-term future of Europe’s cities.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

A podcast by Europod, in cooperation with ESPON, an EU-funded programme that bridges research with policies

“This podcast series is cofunded by ESPON. However, the opinions and views expressed are solely those of the authors. ESPON can't be held responsible for them.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EU ambassadors are once again meeting in Brussels this Wednesday trying to agree on a new round of sanctions against Russia. But this time Austria, besides Hungary and Slovakia, has thrown a spanner in the works.

Vienna is pushing for what it calls a “derogation”, a kind of legal exception, that would allow frozen Russian assets to be released under certain conditions. But why does Austria want to unfreeze money linked to sanctioned Russian oligarchs and where does that leave the rest of the EU? 

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.

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Today marks two years since Hamas carried out the deadliest terrorist attack in Israel’s history, when militants entered the Nova music festival, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Since then, many captives have been released in deals or ceasefires, but around 48 hostages remain in Gaza. Israel believes about 20 of them are still alive. Negotiations for their release, and for Trump’s Gaza peace plan, started on Monday and are continuing in a “positive” atmosphere aimed at reaching a ceasefire.

In these two years Israel’s retaliatory offensive on the Gaza Strip has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s roughly two million people. Entire neighbourhoods have been razed, humanitarian aid has been severely restricted, and famine is widespread. 

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.

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France’s Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has resigned less than a month after being appointed and just 12 hours after presenting his new government. President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation this morning, with the Élysée Palace confirming the decision in a short statement.

But what led to the resignation and what happens now?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.

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Discover a new podcast!

What does it mean to lose control over your own body, your own life? The Right to Decide is a podcast about the fight for sexual and reproductive rights — and the forces trying to roll them back. From abortion access to sex education, from funding networks to online misinformation, each episode unpacks how anti-gender actors operate and what’s at stake for democracy.

Hosted by former MEP Sophie in ’t Veld.

A podcast by the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights, produced by Europod.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Friday and Saturday, Czechs head to the polls to elect 200 lawmakers to the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament. Polling stations open Friday afternoon and close Saturday at 2 p.m, with results expected that evening. For the first time, Czechs abroad can also vote by correspondence. But the real question for the Czechs is: will the outcome keep them firmly in Europe’s pro-Ukraine camp, or open the door to a government leaning toward populism and the far right?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.

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The French authorities have detained two crew members of a Russian-linked oil tanker suspected of belonging to the so-called “shadow fleet”. The vessel is also thought to be involved in recent Russian drone activity, while Germany has reported sightings of unidentified drones over critical infrastructure. So, where does this leave Europe?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.