Today in the EU

China’s aggressive industrial strategy, which has China flooding global markets with heavily subsidised exports, is increasingly placing it on a collision course with Germany’s leading export-driven sectors.

With experts warning that the practice threatens the viability of Germany's economy, particularly in the automotive and industrial sectors, Euractiv looks at how this would affect the German and even the EU economy.

To discuss this, we’re joined by Jonathan Packroff, Euractiv’s Berlin-based economy and transport reporter. 

With the deadline to submit candidates for the next EU Commission approaching this Friday (30 August), time is running out for the selection process. The mix of rumoured and confirmed candidates is complicating the task for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as member states seem to be interested in only a few key portfolios, and prioritise respective domestic agendas at the expense of gender balance.

In this episode, hosts Giada Santana and Magnus Lund Nielsen dive into the hurdles hindering the formation of the new EU Commission. 

The term “novel foods” is becoming more popular by the day. But to make it to the European supermarkets it needs to be assessed by the EU food safety authority and then get the greenlight from the European Commission. Novel foods include innovative products like cricket flour and UV-treated vegetables, as well as traditional foods from other regions, such as chia seeds. 
While some novel foods are embraced by the agriculture industry, others, particularly alternative proteins, have sparked heated debates and political tensions. But why do these novel foods provoke such strong reactions and how is Europe navigating this culinary evolution. 
To understand these controversies, we spoke with our Agrifood reporter Sofía Sánchez Manzanaro.  

The European Central Bank (ECB) is a powerhouse in the EU, wielding influence over financial supervision, foreign exchange reserves, and economic forecasts. The ECB’s main goal is to keep inflation at 2% by adjusting interest rates. Its massive quantitative easing program from 2015 to 2022 aimed to tackle low inflation with trillions of euros.  

With current economic stagnation and geopolitical tensions, the ECB’s decisions are sparking heated debates. But how do these decisions affect everyday life and economic growth? 

To dive into the ECB’s role and responsibilities, we are joined by our economy reporter Thomas Moller-Nielsen. 

Railways are the most environmentally sustainable mode of transport, compared to cars or planes, yet, they remain chronically underfunded and underdeveloped in Europe. High prices, complex booking systems, and a lack of cross-border coordination are just some of the problems making it harder for Europeans to consider trains a reliable and safe option.

What are the hurdles railways face in becoming the greener choice and what is the EU doing to overcome them?

Host Nicoletta Ionta discusses with Barbara Machado, Euractiv’s energy, environment and transport Journalist, the current state of EU railways, the issues, and the proposals aimed at addressing them.

The European Union is increasingly in the crosshairs of international drug lords, according to the latest data from the European Drugs Agency (EUDA) - a growing focus that has led to an increase in drug-related deaths and violence over the past five years, affecting communities across the EU.

In this episode, host Giada Santana explores the issue in depth with Euractiv health editor Catherine Feore and discusses possible policy responses with EUDA director Alexis Goosdeel. 

Brussels ranks second only to Washington in the number of lobbyists, with nearly one public affairs representative for every person employed in the European institutions, according to recent data by Lobbycontrol. 

In the wake of Qatargate, the largest corruption scandal in EU history, that tarnished the credibility of EU institutions, the upcoming mandate offers a critical opportunity to enhance transparency around the influence of lobby groups on political actors. But what are the loopholes that remain?

In this episode, host Giada Santana and Bram Vranken, a researcher at the Corporate Europe Observatory, dive into the murky waters of lobbying politics.

With the EU elections just days away, speculations about the identity of Commissioner candidates are growing louder. If the new European Commission president is selected by July, they will have the whole summer at their disposal to form their College of Commissioners. But who is staying, who is leaving, and who are the new entries?

To understand better the situation at steak, host Evi Kiorri talked to Euractiv's politics editor Aurélie Pugnet.

Around the globe, the number of citizens who show unwavering support for democracy is on the rise but there are also more and more of those voting for leaders who may undermine democracy.

Today, for the first time ever, more than half of the global population supports such leaders. We spoke to United Nations Development Programme's Pedro Conceiçao and Euractiv's politics hub editor Aurelie Pugnet to zoom in on the implications for the upcoming European Union elections.   

Ursula von der Leyen convinced 401 members of the European Parliament to vote in her favour, out of 707. This time, she was re-elected as Commission President with a 41-vote lead, emerging from the first plenary with a stronger mandate.

Before the vote, von der Leyen delivered a lengthy speech reaching out to centrist and left-wing parties, while excluding the far-right. She outlined the priorities for her next mandate, appearing more confident than ever, but also raising some questions. 

To break down what happened during the vote for the President of the European Commission, we are joined by our politics editor Aurélie Pugnet.