Today in the EU

This week the Beyond the Byline podcast takes a deep dive into the global rules governing warfare - or international humanitarian law, as it’s officially called. The rules, established in the wake of the Second World War, seek to limit the effects of armed conflict, guided by the 1949 Conventions that 196 states are party to.

To find out what the ground rules are, who is eligible for protection, and what happens when these rules are violated, we turn to Dr. Knut Dörmann, head of the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross to the EU, NATO, and Belgium, and Brian Finucane, senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, an independent organisation working to prevent wars and shape policies that will build a more peaceful world.

This week, Euractiv’s Beyond the Byline podcast takes a look at the division sweeping across the EU amid mixed signals from officials on the Israel-Hamas war.

EU leaders held a virtual conference on Tuesday (17 October) to decide their common stance regarding the conflict that has exploded between Israel and Hamas in recent days. The talks came in the wake of criticism that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen overstepped her remit with her unequivocal support for Israel.

We asked Ricardo Borges de Castro, Associate Director and Head of Europe in the World Programme at the European Policy Centre, and Georgi Gotev, Euractiv’s Senior Editor, if the tone is changing - and what hope there is for a diplomatic solution to the war.

With Polish citizens due to head to the polls to vote in the country's national elections on Sunday (15 October), this week Euractiv’s Beyond the Byline podcast is exploring what is at stake in the vote.

The incumbent Law and Justice party (PiS), in power since 2015, has introduced divisive reforms including massive restrictions on women's reproductive rights and a more autonomous stance towards EU policy.

Ongoing scandals, like the visa controversy, could affect the elections, with concerns over media bias and censorship complicating the electoral atmosphere. The outcome could lead to a coalition government or political instability, shaping Poland's uncertain political future.

We spoke with Aleks Szczerbiak, a politics professor and Polish specialist at the University of Sussex, and Sonia Horonziak, political scientist and coordinator of the Democracy and Civil Society Programme.

This week, Euractiv’s Beyond the Byline podcast takes a deep dive into the evolving crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. 

Thousands of ethnic Armenians living in the territory have been displaced following Azerbaijan's recent offensive to regain control of the contested enclave - dramatically reshaping the conflict landscape.

The dissolution of Nagorno-Karabakh's government marks the culmination of over three decades of separatist rule, with far-reaching geopolitical implications in the South Caucasus. What is the EU's involvement in the region, and what is the future outlook?

Join us as we unravel together with Dr. Anna Ohanyan Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Stonehill College the complex history and intricate power dynamics that have brought us to this pivotal moment.

This week, Euractiv’s Beyond the Byline podcast looks into the hotly contested report on the regulation of sex work.

EU lawmakers adopted a report advocating the decriminalisation of people engaged in sex work, while suggesting the 'punishment' but not criminalisation of those who use their services.

The report, although lacking direct legislative impact, sparked controversy as it initially proposed the Nordic model, criminalising sex buyers, but later opted for a milder stance.

It also called for support and exit programmes for sex workers, highlighting a division among MEPs on the issue of whether buyers should be criminalised and if prostitution should be viewed as gender-based violence or a profession.

We talked with the rapporteur of the report, MEP Maria Noichl, and Euractiv’s journalist Silvia Ellena to better understand what the report is about.

We also talked with MEP Karen Melchior and Sabrina Sanchez, director of the European Sex Workers Alliance, to find out what was not considered during the report and how this report could affect sex workers and the regulation of prostitution.

This week in a special episode for EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast we explore the challenges and resilience of European farmers within the context of food chains and sustainable food production.

We delve into the recent State of the Union address by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, where she expressed gratitude to farmers and emphasised the shift towards sustainable agriculture.

Discover how farmers and cooperatives are facing issues like generational renewal and administrative burdens while advocating for coordinated policies and funds to support sustainable farming.

We asked Peeter Meedendorp, President of CEJA Young Farmers and Karl Bauer, Chairman of Copa Cogeca's Working Party on Rural Development, how farmers can maintain the balance between food security and nature protection, the importance of dialogue, and the evolving agricultural landscape in the EU.

This week, EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast brings you a breakdown of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's annual State of the European Union (SOTEU) speech on Wednesday (13 September). 

In her final SOTEU address under the current mandate, von der Leyen used the speech to lay out her achievements - and hopes for the future - for European citizens across areas such as the economy, climate change, and migration.

As rumours swirl as to whether she intends to throw her hat into the ring for a second mandate as Commission president, von der Leyen has remained staunchly silent. However, some saw elements of her speech as subtly laying the groundwork for a bid for another term.

The speech did not introduce any significant new policy initiatives, with the EU's climate package, the Green Deal, alongside the economy and migration taking up most of the space.

To break down von der Leyen's speech we spoke with Frédéric Simon (Euractiv’s Energy and environment editor), János Allenbach-Ammann (Euractiv’s Economy and Jobs editor), Sean Goulding Carroll (Euractiv’s Transport editor), Alexandra Brzozowski (Euractiv’s editor for Global Europe), Eleonora Vasques (Euractiv’s reporter on politics), Julia Tar (Euractiv’s reporter on Technology), Marta Iraola (Euractiv’s reporter on Health).

This week, EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast looks into the EU’s enlargement strategy.

With Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine bringing the topic of EU enlargement back into sharp focus, the next political season could be crunch time for decisions that will shape the Union of the future.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi stated that enlargement by 2030 is possible, but depends on efforts from both candidate countries and the EU. The European Commission plans to make significant proposals in October, including a Growth Plan to increase investment in the Western Balkans. But what is the plan, and what are the key dates to look out for regarding decision-making?

EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast is back and this week, we're looking at the wildfires that have devastated regions across southern Europe.

The continent was once again battling scorching temperatures this summer, with wildfires blazing across Europe from Portugal to Greece. The latter is still battling with the largest wildfire in the EU since 2000.

The damage to the ecosystem and the natural resources on the entire continent has been devastating, with the fire destroying everything in its path.

In northern Greece, which was the worst hit by wildfires this summer, the fire has burned more than 810 square kilometres of land – an area bigger than New York City.

This week we ask Christiana Photiadou (expert on climate change vulnerability and adaptation at the European Environment Agency), Zita Sebasvari (environmental scientist focusing on disaster risk reduction) and Lindon Pronto (senior fire management expert at the European Forest Institute and ex firefighter): What is driving the fires, how can prevention measures be improved, and how can ecosystems recover?

In the last episode before the summer break, EURACTIV’s Beyond the Byline podcast looks into the summer strikes across the continent. 

As Europe enters the summer season, a wave of transport strikes is causing significant disruptions to travel across the continent. 

Employees from various sectors, including air traffic controllers, security staff, cabin crews, and train personnel, are taking a stand demanding fair treatment, higher wages, and improved working conditions. 

These strikes have impacted airports, rail services, and other modes of transport in countries like France, England, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, and Portugal. With no end in sight for some of these industrial actions, travellers should brace themselves for potential delays and cancellations while unions continue to protest for their rights.