Today in the EU

In this episode, we look back at a critical development in Europe’s green agenda: Teresa Ribera’s appointment by President von der Leyen to steer Europe’s green transition while ensuring its competitiveness.

Host Giada Santana and Environment hub editor Donagh Cagney delve into the commissioner nominees and discuss the future of EU energy and environment policy.

[Note: This episode was originally published on Sep 19th.]

In this episode, we revisit a pivotal moment in EU politics: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s unveiling of her proposed team of European Commissioners.

Host Evi Kiorri speaks with politics reporter Nicoletta Ionta to unpack the implications of these changes for EU governance.

[Note: This episode was originally published on Sep 18th.]

In this episode, we revisit an important discussion from November 21st, when EU economy ministers convened to tackle the future of EU-US trade relations.

With the prospect of a protectionist, pro-tariff Trump administration looming, the talks were anything but straightforward. Key industries like Germany’s automotive sector are already under significant pressure, and the risk of a broader trade war remains a serious concern. How is Europe preparing to adapt to a potentially shifting US trade agenda?

In this episode, host Evi Kiorri speaks with Euractiv's economy reporter Thomas Nielsen Moeller to explore the strategies at play.

[Note: This episode was originally published on Nov 21st.]

As we reflect on the key milestones of the past year, we revisit the conclusion of a historic trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) on December 6th. After 25 years of negotiations, the deal will create one of the world’s largest free trade zones.

In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro delve into the details of the EU-Mercosur deal and explore the controversies surrounding it.

[Note: This episode was originally published on Dec 9th.]

As the year winds down, we revisit a critical moment in the EU’s environmental efforts: the European Parliament’s decision on the landmark anti-deforestation law, the EUDR, back on November 14th.

In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Sofia Sánchez Manzanaro examine the supporters and detractors of the EUDR and discuss the potential outcomes of the vote.

[Note: This episode was originally published earlier this year.]

As the year comes to a close, we revisit a pivotal conversation on how the EU can brace itself for the challenges ahead. A landmark report by outgoing Finnish president Sauli Niinistö offers a sobering reality check, spanning recommendations from climate change management to intelligence sharing.

In this episode, host Giada Santana and politics reporter Nicholas Wallace explore the report’s key proposals, including EU-NATO competition, Niinistö’s intelligence unit concept, and lessons from Finland’s approach to resilience.

[Note: This episode was originally published on Oct 31st]

As we reflect on the events that shaped Europe this year, we’re revisiting one of the most dramatic moments in German politics: the collapse of Germany’s coalition government.

This political upheaval has left European leaders concerned about its impact on European cooperation, especially as the continent braces for Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House. But how do European leaders view Germany’s instability, and what are the broader implications for Europe?

To explore these questions, host Evi Kiorri speaks with Berlin-based reporter Nick Alipour.

[Note: This episode was originally published on Nov 8th]

As we look toward 2025, we revisit a crucial moment from earlier this year: September 9th, when Mario Draghi presented his highly anticipated report on European competitiveness to President Ursula von der Leyen. The report highlighted the urgent need to boost productivity to achieve the EU’s ambitious political and economic goals.

In this episode, host Evi Kiorri and economy reporter Thomas Moller-Nielsen break down the key takeaways from Draghi’s report and discuss its potential implications for Europe’s future.

[Note: This episode was originally published on September 10th.]

This year brought seismic changes across Europe: political crises, shifting environmental priorities, and debates about the continent’s industrial strategy.From the Green Deal’s transformation to the US election, we explore how decisions made this year will shape the continent for decades. How did Germany’s government collapse ripple across the EU? What does a more competitiveness-focused agenda mean for climate policy? And what’s next for Europe in a world dominated by US-China tensions?

In this special episode of Today in the EU, host Giada Santana is joined by Euractiv's publisher René Moerland and editors Anna Brunetti and Donagh Cagney, to unpack the stories that made 2024 unforgettable.