Today in the EU

The number of violations of the US-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon has surpassed 100 since the ceasefire agreement took effect last Wednesday, casting doubts on hopes for peace between Hezbollah and Israel. Besides condemning the breaches, the EU's absence from the negotiating table during these tense moments raises questions about its relevance in the Middle East.

In this episode, host Giada Santana talks to Middle East experts Bilal Saab and Julien Barnes-Dacey about the terms of the shaky ceasefire agreement amidst Washington and Brussels’s diplomatic efforts in the region.

Wolf protection is back on the table for EU lawmakers as they must now reopen talks on the EU's Habitats Directive, a cornerstone of EU biodiversity policy. The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention decided to back a European Commission proposal weakening the protection of wolves on Tuesday (3 December), meaning MEPs must now reconsider one of the EU's flagship biodiversity policies. But why is the European Commission waging a crusade against wolves? And how does it align with the union's environmental pledges?  

In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv's Energy, Environment and Transport reporter Barbara Machado reflect on the political motives behind lowering the protection status of wolves and its wider implications for biodiversity.  

The current French government might be the shortest-lived in the history of the fifth Republic as opposition parties announced the possibility of a vote of no-confidence on Monday (2 December). Ongoing tense negotiations over financial cuts and taxes have kept the government at risk of falling for the past two months. Why are budget talks threatening a political crisis in France?  

In this episode, host Giada Santana and politics reporter Thèo Bourgery-Gonse chat about the controversies around the French budgetary package and the looming threat on Barnier’s head. 

When voters cast their ballots in recent European elections, the economy topped their long list of concerns. Shortly after, Commission President von der Leyen assumed office with a clear mission: make Europe more competitive to keep pace with the US and China.

But the push for global competitiveness seems to sideline labour and social policies, which have long been seen as hallmarks of Europe’s economic model. So, how does the Commission plan to make the Union wealthier? And who is at risk of being left behind?

In this episode, host Giada Santana chats with economics editor Anna Brunetti about the wind of change sweeping European economic policy. 

In the past two weeks, Russian forces have achieved the fastest breakthrough in eastern Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion. As the Ukrainian army is in dire need of new recruits and equipment, hundreds of soldiers are under special training as part of Operation Interflex, aimed at providing them with vital skills to manage death-threatening situations.What is the operation like? How can this training impact Ukrainian troops’ success on the frontlines? 

In this episode, host Giada Santana hears from defence reporter Aurélie Pugnet about what she discovered during a trip on the ground.  

On Wednesday (27 November), the new college of commissioners was approved with 370 votes to 282 against – marking the lowest majority in history. The mandate is filled with uncertainties, except one: the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) enjoys free rein in Parliament negotiations, with master strategist Manfred Weber cosying up and forging alliances outside the centrist majority. How do non-coalition groups view this new, secretive, and unpredictable European Parliament? 

In this episode, host Giada Santana talks about the rationale behind the vote with two MEPs: Daniel Freund of the Greens and Carlo Fidanza of the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR). 

After weeks of political manoeuvring and backroom deals, MEPs are set to vote today (27 November) on Von der Leyen's next College of Commissioners. 

While the EP’s greenlight seems certain after EPP, Renew, and S&D struck a platform agreement last week, the incoming College might be sworn in with the narrowest support in recent history. So, where do the different political groups stand? And what effect will the vote have on Parliament's future powerplays? 

In this episode, host Giada Santana and politics reporters Nicoletta Ionta and Magnus Lund Nielsen talk numbers, alliances and behind-the-scenes buzz from Strasbourg's corridors.

European businesses are increasingly concerned about the EU's growing regulatory and reporting requirements, which they say hamper competitiveness and productivity.

The combination of high energy prices (well above those in the US) and stringent sustainability and compliance requirements is putting pressure on several industries, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular.

While the European Union aims to reduce reporting obligations by 25%, the challenge is to balance simplification with maintaining the core objectives of its laws, such as climate and human rights standards. These concerns echo key findings of the Draghi report, which highlighted the EU's struggles with productivity and global competition.

To dig deeper, host Evi Kiorri was joined by Euractiv's Berlin-based economy reporter Jonathan Packroff.

[Edited by Daniel Eck]

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. 

Both Israel and Hamas have dismissed the allegations, giving predictably polarised responses. The Israeli government condemned the ICC’s decision as “antisemitic,” while Hamas called the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant an “important historical precedent.” But what do these arrest warrants mean, and can the Court's 124 member states – none of which include Israel or the US – enforce this decision? 

To answer these questions, host Evi Kiorri spoke with ICC correspondent and host of the Hague-based Asymmetrical Haircuts podcast, Janet Anderson. 

As the global climate summit is expected to wrap up today (22 November) in Baku, Azerbaijan, country ministers have already started tough negotiations around the implementation of the final treaty.  

All eyes are on the final sum allocated to the new climate finance goal (NCQG), which will determine how many resources developed countries will provide to the global south to limit greenhouse gas emissions. But the discrepancy in ambition and timeline between the two parties has so far locked talks in a standstill. Where are the COP29 climate talks headed? And where does the EU stand in these negotiations?  

Join host Giada Santana and energy & environment reporter Niko Kurmayer as they outline COP29's trajectory and possible scenarios for its last day. The European University Institute's head of delegation, professor Simone Borghesi, dials in from Baku.