Europe, Day by Day

Following up on Romania’s, Bulgaria’s attempt to join Shengen

On the 1st of April of this year, Romania and Bulgaria partially joined the free travel zone of Schengen. But why “partially”? And what will be the next steps? 

Following up on the EU’s support actions in favour of Ukraine

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022, many Europeans took the streets of their cities in support of Kiev. Two years and a half later, what actions has the EU been taking this year to assist Ukraine in the war?

Looking back at the Asylum and migration pact

Eversince the 2015 so-called “refugee crisis”, asylum and migration have become existential questions for the EU. On the 10th of April of this year, the Parliament adopted the new Asylum and migration pact. In this episode we look back at the content of this new piece of European legislation.

Following up on the the controversial laws of the Slovak government

Back in January of this year, the European Parliament expressed concerns about the rule of law in Slovakia. But why was that?

Looking back at the “Foreign influence bill” related protests in Georgia

In May, Tbilisi was shaken by protests against the adoption of a contested ‘Foreign influence bill’. Today, we share insights from whom took part in those actions. And look ahead at the upcoming Georgian political elections in October 2024.

Following up on EU’s plan to enlarge the Union

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022, many Europeans took the streets of their cities in support of Kiev. Two years and a half later, what actions has the EU been taking this year to assist Ukraine in the war?

The 50th year anniversary of Portugal’s revolution

Fifty years ago, the Carnation Revolution ended the Salazar dictatorship in Portugal. Until recently, the country seemed immune to the return of right wing extremism unlike its fellow European countries. But this year proved it wasn’t, bearing the question: has Portugal’s revolutionary memory started to fade?

Behind the scenes of the Olympic Games in Paris

Last week marked the end of the Olympics in Paris, but what do we know about the organisation of the games by the French capital? 

Following up on Labour’s landslide victory

On the 18th of July, newly elected Labour Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, had to play host at the European Political Community summit in Blenheim Palace- where he marked a rupture with the Conservative era by asserting that Britain was a friend, a partner and “very much part of Europe”.

Looking back at the case of Snæfellsjökull, in Iceland

In May, Tbilisi was shaken by protests against the adoption of a contested ‘Foreign influence bill’. Today, we share insights from whom took part in those actions. And look ahead at the upcoming Georgian political elections in October 2024.

Following up on the EU’s action on Free Trade

Favouring trade with the rest of the world has ever since been a priority for the EU. But which free trade agreements have been on the EU’s agenda this year? And what’s the state of the art?

The 100th anniversary of author Franz Kafka’s death

This year marked the 100th anniversary of the death of Franz Kafka. Events across Europe celebrated the writer of The Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Castle as one of the most important authors of the 20th century. Today, we take a look at Kafak’s legacy.

Looking back at the EU AI act

Back in May, the EU Council finally approved the EU AI act. So, what is this pioneering act all about? And what does the European Digital Right Network EDRI say about it?

This year, in the Baltics

Often overlooked by mainstream media elsewhere in Europe, Baltic countries have undergone significant change over the past months. So, what happened in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia this year? 

Following up on Xi-Jin Ping’s visit to Europe in Spring

In the Spring of this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a visit to three European countries: France, Serbia, and Hungary. The itinerary was largely qualified by the media as an attempt to play on European division. But what has happened since these visits?

This year, in Scandinavia

Often overlooked by mainstream media elsewhere in Europe, Scandinavian countries have undergone significant change over the past months. So, what happened in Scandinavia this year?  

Weekend Special - Alarm Bells for Rule of Law in Europe

Alarm bells are ringing across Europe - with concerns running high regarding the status of the rule of law in several member states.

Governments gaining uncontrollable powers, civil society space shrinking, the media under pressure, the separation of powers getting less and less separated and checks and balances aren’t really checking or balancing.

Is the rule of law in Europe in danger? 

Here’s what happened this week and what it means for Europe.

Looking back at the European footbal championship

We look back at this Summer’s European football championship which took place in Germany. While the whole of Europe was watching the ball rolling, politics sometimes invited itself onto the pitch. So, how political were this year’s Euros?

Looking back at the European Green Deal’s trajectory

The European Green Deal was adopted back in 2020 by the European Parliament. But this year, this milestone piece of European legislation went through quite a bit of a roller coaster. What were the main setbacks? And what can we expect for the future of the Green Deal?

What’s happening to Europe’s liquid gold, olive oil?

Olive oil fraud cases in the EU have hit an official record high this year. 

So, what’s happening to our beloved kitchen staple?

And why is a parallel market developing for it across Europe? 

You’re out of order! Spain’s judicial mishaps

Today is a busy day for Spain’s judicial system.

Whilst the 20 members of the General Council of the Judiciary in charge of appointing Spain’s judges are busy choosing their new president, ending a 5 year long deadlock - Spanish Prime minister Pedro Sanchez is being interrogated by a judge as a witness in a corruption investigation targeting his wife.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg of the complicated entanglement between Spain’s political forces and its judicial system.

How did this happen and is Spain’s rule of law in danger? 

Report urges EU to get rail travel back on track

Brussels to Vienna, Paris to Barcelona, Berlin to Warsaw - whatever the journey, flying is often the simpler option - especially compared to taking the train. 

Travelling by train can be slow, involve complicated intercity changes, and often costs a lot more.

So even for the more environmentally-minded traveller, taking the train can be a hard sell.

But does it need to be? A new report by Greenpeace says no. 

Weekend Special - There is still hope in resistance

The dehumanisation of migrants, instrumentalisation of reproductive rights and women’s rights, rising homophobia, transphobia and hate speech... 

These are some of the ramifications of the far-right’s rise in Europe, leading to increasingly harmful narratives about marginalised people and a hostile environment to live and exist for many. But amidst all of this and the shrinking civil society space, there is still hope, and it lies in resistance and activism. This is exactly what many are doing across Europe. Here’s what happened this week and what it means for Europe.

Here are some resources for uplifting news: 

The other side of the Olympic medal

Today marks the opening ceremony of the long-awaited Olympic games in Paris. But yesterday evening the official celebration was preceded by a contre-soirée event in the Place de la République organised by social action collectives and organisations to denounce the shortcomings and the social costs of hosting the games. So as the world’s most prestigious sports tournament is about to begin, is Paris ready? What were the costs of the preparations? And who paid its price?

Is lithium Europe’s new (not so) green oil?

The electric car - the expensive must-have of the new green citizen. But is it really? 

To function, an electric vehicle’s battery requires lithium a rare metal found in a quantity unprecedented in Serbia and last week, the EU approved the construction of a major lithium mine there - a slap in the face for protesters who  have fought against the project for years. 

What does the mine in Jadar Valley reveal about Europe’s lithium craze? And can the green transition rely on yet another form of extractivism?

Double Standards for Environmental Protests in Europe

Raids, interrogations, arrests and record prison sentences. These are the increasingly heavy handed tactics used against environmental campaigners across Europe. 

But meanwhile, traffic disruption, border blockades and even threatening ministers by farming protesters are met with silence, or even rewarded.

When it comes to policing environmental protest in Europe, are double standards at play?

Armenia’s complicated route to the EU

Armenia made headlines this week as Brussels announced talks on visa liberalisation, marking a significant but cautious step towards EU membership. The Armenian foreign minister hailed the news as an important milestone. But for a country still grappling with economic challenges, scarred by conflict, and dependent on Russia, how clear is Armenia’s path to European integration?

Why is Montenegro’s cultural heritage under threat?

Sveti Stefan, a stunning islet off the western coast of Montenegro, also known as the “pearl” of Montenegro, is one of the country's most beautiful cultural sites. Yet many Montenegrins don't have access to it. Why? And how did this cultural heritage site go from being a beloved mediaeval fortress to featuring on the list of the Seven Most Endangered Heritage Sites in Europe for 2023?

Weekend Special - French political gridlock, migrant labor exploitation, Greece's neoliberal agenda

Can the French left alliance get themselves together and finally form a government, can migrants in the EU ever catch a break, and why is the Greek government doing the absolute most to champion neoliberalism? These are some of the questions that arose in the past couple of weeks. Let’s explore the answers together. Here’s what happened this week and what it means for Europe.

What Ursula von der Leyen's re-election means for Europe's future

As the EU top jobs begin to get filled, what kind of Europe will emerge? Depending on who you ask, the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission President was either a rejection of extremism or a dangerous compromise. With policies from massively expanded border control to a clean energy drive, von der Leyen’s speech reflected the strange mix of right-wingers and Greens who ultimately secured her re-election. But will the head of the EU executive be able to balance the needs of such opposing forces? And has the far-right really been sidelined?