Today in the EU

Exorbitant costs, carbon emissions, and time management are some of the reasons for scrapping the monthly commute of the entire European Parliament to Strasbourg, according to advocates of the idea. However, the dual residency of the institution is deeply rooted in European history and is actively supported by activists in the French city.

In this episode, host Giada Santana and activist Troy Davis discuss the pros and cons of the two-parliamentary seat design.

Although geothermal energy is a small part of the EU’s renewable energy mix, it has significant potential as a stable and local source in the bloc’s quest for energy independence.

The issue has now been revived under the Hungarian EU presidency, which began at the start of July, as EU energy ministers meet to discuss this type of energy on Monday (15 July).

But how does geothermal energy work, what are the pros and cons, and what could it mean for the EU? 

We are joined in the studio by our energy and environment reporter, Nathan Canas, to shed some light on the situation.

The European Parliament, the biggest democratic institution in the world, now features three far-right groups. Two of them, Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations, emerged only this week, from the ashes of failed alliance negotiations.

Why couldn’t the far right unite, and what does their failure to form a single bloc mean for the European Parliament's next five-year mandate?

In this episode, host Giada Santana and Berlin correspondent Kjeld Neubert trace how the political developments between Germany and Brussels have led to the most fragmented far right camp in a decade.

EU ambassadors met yesterday (July 10th) to prepare a joint response after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s unexpected visit to see Putin as part of a 'peace mission'.

The friendly nature of the discussions between the two leaders in Moscow upset EU ambassadors, as Hungary used the European Council presidency’s logo in background communications, despite claims from Orbán that the visit was an individual initiative based on national needs,

In this episode, host Giada Santana and global Europe hub editor Alexandra Brzozowski analyse the EU's options in addressing Budapest's closer ties with Russia, ten days into Hungary's Council Presidency.

This week all eyes are on the NATO summit taking place in Washington DC, marking the military alliance’s 75th anniversary with a collective message about unity. 

NATO leaders will discuss various topics, but the elephant in the room is the potential membership of Ukraine. But what other issues will be on the agenda, and which factors challenge NATO’s unity? 

To dive into the NATO summit and the leaders' priorities I’m joined by our politics reporter Aurélie Pugnet. 

Today the European Union launches a rocket into space, for the first time since the war in Ukraine began. Named Ariane 6 it symbolises a renewed hope that Europe will gain ground in the new space race. But the challenges ahead are plenty. Can Europe catch up?

In this episode, host Giada Santana and science freelance journalist Senne Starckx discuss the significance of this launch, and what it means for the future of European space competitiveness.

Defying expectations the French left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, overtook Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, coming first during the second and final round of France’s snap elections on Sunday (7 July). 

The left-wing coalition, however, has not secured an absolute majority, therefore questions arise about who will be the country’s next prime minister, and which parties could collaborate to form a government. 

To break down what the future holds for French politics, I’m joined by our Paris-based reporter Théo Bourgery-Gonse. 

Despite the EU’s attempts to keep up with the breakneck speed of AI's progress, NGOs fear the bloc is taking a step back in the demanding fight to regulate the technology.

Reports suggest that the European Commission plans to assign the delicate task of drafting codes of practice for OpenAI and other general providers to industry actors themselves, along with a yet undefined consulting firm.

In this episode, host Giada Santana and tech editor Eliza Gkritsi discuss how the EU regulatory machine is tackling the challenge of AI.

UK citizens head to the polls today for a general election widely expected to end the 14 years of Conservative rule and return the Labour Party to power, prompting questions about what it will mean for the EU-UK relations and why - while Europe is shifting to the right - the UK is turning left.

To understand the implications of the vote, the major players, and the European consequences, we're joined in the studio by Catherine Feore, Euractiv’s editor, with insights from Mathew Nicolson, Europe Elects deputy team leader and UK correspondent.

Ursula von der Leyen is campaigning to secure a second term as Commission president after her party's success in the European Parliament elections and her nomination by EU leaders. She is negotiating with key groups, including the Socialists, the liberals, and the Greens, to secure the 361 votes needed for her confirmation in Parliament.  

At the same time, far-right leaders across Europe, including Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, are forming a new alliance with nationalist parties from Austria and the Czech Republic. 

To understand the motives behind the talks, the reshuffling, and the ongoing powerplay, our politics reporter Max Griera is here with us today.