Briefed - Your Daily European Podcast

Ukraine’s ceasefire on Putin’s terms. What does he want, and will it last?

So, Vladimir Putin has agreed to a limited ceasefire, which basically means he’ll stop bombing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, for now. This comes after a high-stakes phone call with US president Donald Trump, who is apparently in his own bubble seeing this as a successful diplomatic move.

But what does this so-called ceasefire really mean for Ukraine? And what are Putin's conditions for abiding by it?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Germany’s €500B spending plan: What’s at stake?

In a historic vote, German lawmakers are set to decide on amendments to the country's Basic Law, their constitution. This amendment would unlock billions in funding for defense, infrastructure, and climate initiatives. 

Leading the charge is Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, along with his conservative CDU party, who have joined forces with the Social Democrats and the Greens to push through a €500 billion special fund. 

But will this ambitious plan secure enough support? And what impact will it have on Germany’s and Europe’s political and economic landscape?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Negligence and corruption fueled North Macedonia’s nightclub inferno

A night out turned into a nightmare in North Macedonia. On Sunday morning a fire ripped through a packed nightclub in the town of Kočani, killing at least 59 people and injuring over 150. The cause of this tragedy is a mix of reckless decisions, negligence, and corruption, an all-too-familiar pattern in the Balkans. 

But is this another wake up call? And will anyone actually be held accountable?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Truck Drivers : The future of transport 6/6

In the last episode, we look at the future of the transport sector. How will goods be moved in the coming years? Which role will artificial intelligence play? And most importantly, will truck drivers still be needed or will they be replaced by machines? To answer these questions, we went to Intermodal Europe, the congress that brings together industry professionals in Rotterdam each year to discuss the future of the transport sector

Huawei, Bribes, and the EU: A new corruption scandal hits parliament

“Absolutely forbidden to open this door” signs are plastered with blue and white police tape on doors of European Parliament offices. And all this feels like a depressing déjà vu! Just a few years after the Qatargate bribery scandal rocked the EU’s only directly elected institution, accusations of cash-for-favors are once again casting a shadow on current and former European lawmakers. 

The “alleged bribery” would have benefited China’s tech giant Huawei, the Belgian prosecutor’s office said on Thursday. But who is involved and what is the parliament doing to fight corruption?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Can Putin say 'nyet' to Trump’s proposed ceasefire with Ukraine?

So the latest diplomatic gymnastics around Ukraine are all about the proposed 30 day ceasefire between the two countries. President Donald Trump has suggested that he might target Russia financially if Moscow refuses to accept it. 

This ceasefire was brokered in Saudi Arabia between the U.S. and Ukraine, and now the world is waiting for Russia’s response. Will Vladimir Putin say “nyet” to Trump or will he accept the deal?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Portugal’s government collapses: what’s next?

This is the third time in three years Portugal is heading for a snap election. The political instability is more evident than ever for the country and analysts are worried if it will have a domino effect on the already vulnerable Portuguese economy. 

But why is political instability becoming the norm in a country that, until recently, was seen as one of Europe’s most stable democracies? What happened this time and what implications can this have on a European level?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Why Greenland’s election is a breaking point for Denmark, the EU, and the US

Greenlanders are heading to the polls today for an election that is set to be one of the most consequential in Greenland’s history. The self-ruling Danish territory will elect 31 members of its legislature, the Inatsisartut, as they do every four years, but this time, the stakes are existential. 

So, will Greenland remain part of Denmark, will it push for full independence, or will it strengthen ties with major powers like the U.S. and Europe?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Russia and US backed Georgescu barred from Romanian election re-run

Călin Georgescu was, just a few months ago, a fringe pro-Russian, ultranationalist known to few people even in Romania. Now the Central Electoral Bureau has decided to bar him from running in May’s presidential election rerun. 

This decision comes after allegations of attempting to subvert the constitutional order, extremism and endorsement of fascist leaders. But is this the final call for the authorities, and what does this reveal about foreign interference in European elections?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Truck Drivers : Another Way 5/6

Truck drivers transport 77% of products in Europe, but road transport is not the only option. Trains and intermodal systems are one of the alternative solutions the EU is focusing on, and one which could also improve the working conditions of truck drivers. Investment, however, is still too low. In the meantime, Europe is also trying to reduce the fossil fuel consumption of trucks by focusing on electric engines. Truck drivers, though, are still skeptical

A tribute to the International Women's Day (and why it matters)

Tomorrow’s International Women’s Day will not be an occasion for ‘celebration’, but for protest. As it has happened over the past few years, women and feminist movements across the globe are expected to take the streets for a massive strike: a women’s strike. In some countries, key sectors such as education, healthcare, and other industries will participate in the protests as well. But why do women strike and where does this movement historically come from?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Why today’s extraordinary EU Council in Brussels is a special one

Today, 6th of March 2025, Brussels is set for yet another day of critical discussions. EU heads of state are gathering in Europe’s Capital for a much-awaited Special European Council. On the agenda? Nothing less than how the EU will act amidst a geopolitical crisis which has seen US President Donald Trump cornering Ukraine’s Volodimir Zelensky, almost forcing the latter into a peace deal negotiation with Vladimir Putin. So, what’s going to happen in Brussels today? And why is this meeting so special?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

The Commission waters down CO2 targets to give flexibility to car makers

The European Commission is giving carmakers a break, relaxing its CO2 targets by introducing a three-year average instead of annual compliance. The goal? To offer "predictability and fairness" and help struggling automakers avoid billions in fines. But critics argue this is a major step back in the EU’s climate commitments, favoring industry interests over the Green Deal. Is this a necessary adjustment or just another loophole for car makers?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

What is Von der Leyens’s €150B toolkit for boosting EU defence?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed the ‘Rearm Europe Plan,’ a bold strategy to channel up to €800 billion into military investments. The plan includes relaxing fiscal rules, offering substantial loans, and mobilising private capital to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities. With Trump cutting military aid to Ukraine and hinting at a reduced NATO role, the EU faces growing pressure to take control of its own security. But as leaders debate the financial and strategic implications, a crucial question remains: is this the dawn of a stronger Europe, or are we merely fuelling an arms race that diverts resources from essential public services?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Europe’s ‘coalition of the willing' after Trump humiliates Zelenskyy

As US president Donald Trump publicly humiliated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, Europe found itself scrambling to take charge. In response, leaders are pushing for a so-called "coalition of the willing" to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, if a ceasefire is reached. 

The UK and France are leading the charge, while Italy’s Giorgia Meloni is trying to mediate, leveraging her ties with Trump. But what does this coalition really entail, what does it mean for Europe and what can we expect from the EU summit on March 6th? 

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Truck Drivers : Kilometers of Pollution 4/6

On our journey through the roads of central Europe, we often encountered trucks with Polish or Lithuanian licence plates. An accident? Certainly not. In this episode we travel to Sandomierz, Poland, to see how the competition between East and West works and to learn more about the problems of truck drivers in this part of Europe.

Greece: Massive protests over train disaster could crash the government

Two years after Greece’s deadliest train crash, the country is at a standstill. Today marks the anniversary of the Tempe rail disaster that killed 57 people. Despite repeated EU warnings about safety risks, Greece’s railway system remained dangerously outdated. Now, with no trial and growing suspicions of a government cover-up, public outrage is boiling over. 

So, today Greeks are taking to the streets in 350 cities worldwide, expressing their deep distrust in the government, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis faces his biggest political test yet.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Austria's centrist parties form coalition, shutting out the far right

Austria may finally have a government! After five months of deadlock, the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), center-left Social Democrats (SPÖ), and liberal Neos have agreed on a coalition. 

This is Austria’s first-ever three-party coalition at the federal level and keeps the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) out of power, despite their win in last September’s elections. Quite the political experiment! But will it work and when will the new government be in place according to this information?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

The EU is launching the Clean Industrial Deal, but what exactly is it?

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is headed to Antwerp to launch the “Clean Industrial Deal,” yet another time with the same big promises and the same CEOs nodding in agreement. Von der Leyen’s pitch today is all about making the European industry competitive while keeping the Green Deal alive.The Commission’s new plan is to save industry, jobs, and apparently the climate, all in one go.

But can a plan fit it all and will anything actually change this time around?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

The four-day workweek: Is Europe ready for the shift?

What if you could work fewer hours without losing pay? Some European countries are already testing the four-day workweek, and the results are in higher productivity, happier employees, and less burnout. But while some are working less, others are working more, like in Greece, where a six-day workweek has been introduced in certain sectors. So, is Europe really moving toward a better work-life balance, or is the dream of shorter workweeks just a luxury for a lucky few?

In this episode of Europe Talks Back, together with Barbara De Micheli (Head of the Social Justice Unit at Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini) and Catarina Bargas (Specialist on working time and work organization at the International Labour Organisation) we explore the shifts in work culture, the policies shaping our future, and what it really means to work to live, not just survive.

This episode was hosted and produced by Evi Kiorri.

The editing was done by Alexander Damiano Ricci.

Sound editing was done by Daniel Gutierrez Ortega.

And the Original sound theme is by Thomas Kusberg.

Friedrich Merz won the German elections. What now?

Friedrich Merz and his Christian Democratic Union won Germany’s election with a solid lead, no surprise there. However, they didn’t secure an outright majority, meaning Merz must now initiate coalition talks with other parties to form a government. The deadline is Easter, and Europe is anxiously waiting for him to make key decisions.

But with a divided parliament and rising pressure from all sides, can Merz form a stable government or is Germany heading for political deadlock?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

3 years of Ukraine war: EU leaders are ramping up their support

Today marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In a strong show of support, thirteen European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, traveled to Kyiv, with another 24 participating in discussions online. These meetings reaffirm the EU’s commitment to Ukraine amid ongoing war and Donald Trump turning his back to president Zelensky while causing chaos during the past few weeks..

But what is the EU’s future plan and can leaders change the course of events? 

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Truck Drivers : East Vs West 3/6

On our journey through the roads of central Europe, we often encountered trucks with Polish or Lithuanian licence plates. An accident? Certainly not. In this episode we travel to Sandomierz, Poland, to see how the competition between East and West works and to learn more about the problems of truck drivers in this part of Europe.

Merz vs. Von der Leyen: The next power struggle for Europe?

Germans are heading to the polls, and it looks like Friedrich Merz is on track to become Germany’s next chancellor. That should mean a match made in heaven with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as they are both from the same party, the European People’s Party. But politics isn’t a fairy tale, and this isn’t your typical love story. If anything, it’s more like a long-running sibling rivalry.

But how can this duo shape Europe’s politics and what else can we expect from the German elections?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Zelenskiy negotiates peace with U.S. envoy as Trump blames Ukraine for the war

U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia with Keith Kellogg, landed in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In other conditions this would be a nice diplomatic moment, right now things are way too complicated. 

Zelenskyy has clarified that he wants this meeting to be “constructive,” but that’s harder than it sounds when the leader of Kellogg’s own country has been busy calling him a dictator and asking for elections to replace him. So what can we expect from these talks and what are European leaders doing in response?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Brussels drug wars: Can a police merger tackle the violence?

So, Brussels is experiencing a surge in drug-related violence. In the past few weeks, multiple shootings have taken place, leaving two people dead and several others injured. Authorities say this wave of violence is linked to organized crime and the drug trade. 

And the new Belgian government is discussing whether merging the city's six fragmented police zones into one could be a solution to the growing crime problem. But would that actually work?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Ukraine: EU fails to reach consensus as US and Russia decide its future

So, European leaders met in Paris for an emergency summit, called by French President Emmanuel Macron. And as we discussed in yesterday's episode the goal was to come up with a common response to the U.S. decision to start negotiations with Russia over ending the war in Ukraine, without inviting Europe or Ukraine. 

And to figure out what the continent most affected by this war can do to protect itself and support Ukraine. So today, we’re talking about how European leaders failed to agree on Ukraine or, really, on anything substantial. So what can we expect now that there was no consensus?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

European leaders in Paris, U.S. and Russia discuss Ukraine alone in Riyadh

So, EU leaders are in full-on crisis mode. Again. This time, they’re scrambling to respond to a rather blunt questionnaire from Washington, yes, an actual questionnaire, that they have to think about during their meeting in Paris and that is asking what kind of security guarantees Europe is willing to provide Ukraine. But what worries Europe, and will these talks find any point of consensus?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Truck Drivers : Safety First 2/6

Truck drivers are expected to obey precise rules when driving, but this is not always the case. Many of them are forced to break these rules in order to make as many deliveries in as little time as possible, skipping mandatory rest breaks and exceeding speed limits. This is a problem for their safety, but also for their own. In this episode, we will talk about safety on the roads, but also about our responsibilities as consumers and the impact we can have in protecting the rights of truck drivers.

Munich car attack escalates security and migration debate just before elections

Germany’s upcoming election is now dominated by a single issue: migration. After a violent attack on a trade union demonstration by an Afghan asylum seeker, conservative frontrunner Friedrich Merz is doubling down on his calls for tougher law and order. Meanwhile, the far-right AfD is surging in the polls, blaming lax migration policies. With security fears shaping the debate, how will this attack influence the final days of the election campaign? And can it push Germany closer to the far right?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.