“Absolutely forbidden to open this door” signs are plastered with blue and white police tape on doors of European Parliament offices. And all this feels like a depressing déjà vu! Just a few years after the Qatargate bribery scandal rocked the EU’s only directly elected institution, accusations of cash-for-favors are once again casting a shadow on current and former European lawmakers. 

The “alleged bribery” would have benefited China’s tech giant Huawei, the Belgian prosecutor’s office said on Thursday. But who is involved and what is the parliament doing to fight corruption?

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

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So the latest diplomatic gymnastics around Ukraine are all about the proposed 30 day ceasefire between the two countries. President Donald Trump has suggested that he might target Russia financially if Moscow refuses to accept it. 

This ceasefire was brokered in Saudi Arabia between the U.S. and Ukraine, and now the world is waiting for Russia’s response. Will Vladimir Putin say “nyet” to Trump or will he accept the deal?

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This is the third time in three years Portugal is heading for a snap election. The political instability is more evident than ever for the country and analysts are worried if it will have a domino effect on the already vulnerable Portuguese economy. 

But why is political instability becoming the norm in a country that, until recently, was seen as one of Europe’s most stable democracies? What happened this time and what implications can this have on a European level?

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Greenlanders are heading to the polls today for an election that is set to be one of the most consequential in Greenland’s history. The self-ruling Danish territory will elect 31 members of its legislature, the Inatsisartut, as they do every four years, but this time, the stakes are existential. 

So, will Greenland remain part of Denmark, will it push for full independence, or will it strengthen ties with major powers like the U.S. and Europe?

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Călin Georgescu was, just a few months ago, a fringe pro-Russian, ultranationalist known to few people even in Romania. Now the Central Electoral Bureau has decided to bar him from running in May’s presidential election rerun. 

This decision comes after allegations of attempting to subvert the constitutional order, extremism and endorsement of fascist leaders. But is this the final call for the authorities, and what does this reveal about foreign interference in European elections?

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Truck drivers transport 77% of products in Europe, but road transport is not the only option. Trains and intermodal systems are one of the alternative solutions the EU is focusing on, and one which could also improve the working conditions of truck drivers. Investment, however, is still too low. In the meantime, Europe is also trying to reduce the fossil fuel consumption of trucks by focusing on electric engines. Truck drivers, though, are still skeptical

Truck Drivers is a podcast co-produced by Europod and Ser Podcast. This podcast is part of WePod, a collaborative project funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.

• Hosting and Narration: Alexander Damiano Ricci
• Field reporting and research: Manu Tomillo and Futura D'Aprile
• Editor-in-chief of the French and English version: Alexander Damiano Ricci
• Sound design and editing: Jeremy Boquet
• Original visual design by: Agencia Player
• Visual adaptation for the French version by: Watermelon Collective
• Producer: Futura D’Aprile
• Executive producer: Ana Ribera
• Production coordinator: Alexander Damiano Ricci

This co-production is funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the authority that funded this work can be held responsible for these views and opinions.

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Tomorrow’s International Women’s Day will not be an occasion for ‘celebration’, but for protest. As it has happened over the past few years, women and feminist movements across the globe are expected to take the streets for a massive strike: a women’s strike. In some countries, key sectors such as education, healthcare, and other industries will participate in the protests as well. But why do women strike and where does this movement historically come from?

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

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Today, 6th of March 2025, Brussels is set for yet another day of critical discussions. EU heads of state are gathering in Europe’s Capital for a much-awaited Special European Council. On the agenda? Nothing less than how the EU will act amidst a geopolitical crisis which has seen US President Donald Trump cornering Ukraine’s Volodimir Zelensky, almost forcing the latter into a peace deal negotiation with Vladimir Putin. So, what’s going to happen in Brussels today? And why is this meeting so special?

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The European Commission is giving carmakers a break, relaxing its CO2 targets by introducing a three-year average instead of annual compliance. The goal? To offer "predictability and fairness" and help struggling automakers avoid billions in fines. But critics argue this is a major step back in the EU’s climate commitments, favoring industry interests over the Green Deal. Is this a necessary adjustment or just another loophole for car makers?

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed the ‘Rearm Europe Plan,’ a bold strategy to channel up to €800 billion into military investments. The plan includes relaxing fiscal rules, offering substantial loans, and mobilising private capital to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities. With Trump cutting military aid to Ukraine and hinting at a reduced NATO role, the EU faces growing pressure to take control of its own security. But as leaders debate the financial and strategic implications, a crucial question remains: is this the dawn of a stronger Europe, or are we merely fuelling an arms race that diverts resources from essential public services?

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