Briefed - Your Daily European Podcast

Reupload - My question to Angela Merkel - « Wir schaffen das » and the extremes go mad

Briefed is taking a break this week.

In the meantime, I’m bringing you a German-themed segment featuring one of Europod’s award-winning series: My Question to Angela Merkel.

Follow Emilia, a young journalist, as she searches for the perfect question to ask Angela Merkel before she leaves office.

In this episode, Emilia looks back at Angela Merkel’s decision to welcome refugees to Germany in 2015.

Follow us on:

Reupload - My question to Angela Merkel - What’s with the Austerity Angie?

Briefed is taking a break this week.

In the meantime, I’m bringing you a German-themed segment featuring one of Europod’s award-winning series: My Question to Angela Merkel. Follow Emilia, a young journalist, as she searches for the perfect question to ask Angela Merkel before she leaves office. In this episode, we look back at the EU’s response to the Greek debt crisis, with testimonies from Jean-Claude Juncker, Alexis Tsipras, and François Hollande.

Follow us on:

Reupload - My question to Angela Merkel - Financial Crash and Angie

Briefed is taking a break this week.

In the meantime, I’m bringing you a German-themed segment featuring one of Europod’s award-winning series: My Question to Angela Merkel. Follow Emilia, a young journalist, as she searches for the perfect question to ask Angela Merkel before she leaves office. Today, I’m bringing you episode 6 of the series, which looks at Angela Merkel’s response to the 2008 financial crisis. You’ll hear, in particular, from former President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, and former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

Follow us on:

Reupload - My question to Angela Merkel - Lisbon Treaty, Angie's Treaty?

Briefed is taking a break this week.

In the meantime, I’m bringing you a German-themed segment featuring one of Europod’s award-winning series: My Question to Angela Merkel.

Follow Emilia, a young journalist, as she searches for the perfect question to ask Angela Merkel before she leaves office.

For today, I’ve chosen episode 5 of the series, which looks at the early days of Angela Merkel’s time as chancellor, as well as Germany’s rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, and the Lisbon Treaty.

Follow us on:

EU–Syria reset: what will happen to Syrians refugees in Europe?

The EU has formally relaunched contact with Syria after years of frozen relations. But what does it mean for Syrians in Europe? What will be the impact on those who have sought refuge in Europe over the last two decades?

What does the EU put on the table to fight the energy crisis ?

The EU firmly believes that the answer to the energy crisis is in the transition to clean energies. But what does the Commission propose to ease the pressure on Europeans in the short term?

Can the EU fix expensive train travel?

For years, public authorities have said they want to support faster and more affordable train travel. But in practice, not much has changed. So, is the EU actually capable of boosting rail?

EU fines against X - will Elon Musk comply with EU rules?

The European Union imposed a 120 million euros fine on the social network X last December. On Monday April 20, Elon Musk was supposed to join a hearing by the French authorities about the functionning of X, but he did not show up. What is the real impact of European sanctions on X and other platforms?

What does it take to report the news from within a war zone? (with Voices)

Briefed presents: Journalism in War - Solidarity Beyond Borders (From Florence)

What does it take to report the news from within a war zone?

In this special episode recorded at the Voices - European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom, we explore how journalists continue working under extreme conditions - in Ukraine and in Gaza.

Featuring testimonies from Sergiy Tomilenko (National Union of Journalists of Ukraine) and Yousef Khader Habache (Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate – Europe), this episode focuses on the creation of Journalists’ Solidarity Centres: support hubs designed to help reporters operate in conflict environments.

From access to electricity and internet, to safety equipment and emergency funding, these hubs provide the basic infrastructure needed to sustain journalism in times of war.

In Ukraine, they were developed in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion. In Gaza, the model has been adapted to function in an environment where infrastructure has largely collapsed.

At the core of this episode: a simple question - how do you maintain journalism when the conditions to produce information no longer exist?

This episode was produced with the support of Voices. Europod retains full editorial responsibility for its content.

One year out: Could the far right win France's 2027 election?

Who will succeed Emmanuel Macron in 2027 ? One thing already seems clear: the candidate from the National Rally, the main extreme right party, will likely make it to the second round of the election, for the third time in a row. But could the far right actually grab power? What’s at stake for France and for the European Union?

Europe Talks Back - How work is changing across the EU: A tale of diverging conditions

In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we take a close look at working conditions across the EU. Are they evolving homogeneously? What are the obstacles to fair working conditions?

To answer these questions, we welcome Agnes Parent-Thirion, Senior Research Manager at Eurofound.

Production by Europod, in cooperation with ESPON, an EU-funded programme that bridges research and policy.

“This podcast series is cofunded by ESPON. However, the opinions and views expressed are solely those of the authors. ESPON can't be held responsible for them.”

Follow us on:

Elections in Bulgaria - who is the leading candidate Rumen Radev?

In Bulgaria, the right-wing party GERB could be beaten in the legislative elections this Sunday. Rumen Radev, the leading candidate in the polls is pledging to end the corruption in the country. Who is he? What is he advocating for? And why is he performing so well in the polls?

Is the EU turning tougher on Israel?

Italy is suspending its defense agreement with Israel. The reason? Concerns over Israel’s conduct in the Middle East conflict—especially in Lebanon.

Across Europe, more and more voices are calling for stronger measures against Israel. A citizen-led initiative has now gathered over one million signatures, calling for the suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement. So, is the European Union finally ready to take tougher action against Israel?

Can Ukraine still win the war?

Fights are still very much ongoing in Ukraine. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Berlin and then Oslo this Tuesday, April 14th, his country was once again under heavy Russian attacks. Overnight from Monday to Tuesday, Russia launched at least four missiles and one hundred twenty nine drones at Ukraine. Then on Tuesday morning, the city of Dnipro was hit as well, leaving around fifteen people injured. So, where do things stand when it comes to the prospects for peace in Ukraine?

Did Hungarians really choose Europe over Orbán?

Hungary has chosen Europe. That’s what the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, believes. Because on Sunday, the Hungarian people brought an end to the rule of Viktor Orbán, after 16 years in power. But did Hungarians really choose Europe?

Does the victory of Péter Magyar mean the end of the Hungarian veto in the EU?

The reign of Viktor Orbán is over. His opponent, Péter Magyar, won last night’s election. A turning point for the country, which has been ruled by Orbán since 2010.

It is also a major lesson for the EU: despite having Donald Trump’s active support, Orbán lost voters’ trust. In Brussels, diplomats and officials alike are celebrating what could be the end of the traditional Hungarian veto. But is that really the case?

What is the EU doing to prevent migrants from drowning in the Mediterranean?

In only nine days, between March twenty-eighth and April fifth, five boats sank in the Mediterranean. They were carrying people hoping to cross the sea and reach Europe.

At least 180 people died in these shipwrecks. This marks the “deadliest start to a year” in the Mediterranean in more than a decade.

What is the EU doing to stop this tragedy?

EU calls on Israel to respect ceasefire and stop strikes on Lebanon, will it work?

Le doute plane sur la portée du cessez-le-feu au Moyen-Orient.  Après plus d’un mois de guerre, les États-Unis et Israël d’un côté, et l’Iran de l’autre, sont convenus d’un cessez-le-feu dans la nuit de mardi à mercredi. Mais alors que l’accord devait couvrir toute la région, Israël continue d’attaquer le sud du Liban. De quoi inquiéter le pays, mais aussi les Européens.

Could the EU tax windfall profits made by oil and gas companies?

Consumers are being squeezed by skyrocketing fuel and gas prices. Meanwhile, producers are raking in extraordinary profits. The situation is unfair - and a few European countries are now proposing to regulate it. They propose to tax the windfall profits of oil and gas companies. But can the EU actually implement such a tax?

How to improve the prison system in Europe?

The EU has nearly half a million people in prison. In many European countries, prisons are seriously overcrowded. Yet over the last decade, violent crime has actually decreased in Europe. What’s wrong with the prison system in Europe?

Reupload - The right kind of family - trailer

There is no episode of Briefed for this Easter Monday. But I'm directing you to a podcast that I enjoyed very much: The Right kind of family. It was produced by Europod and a few European partners in 2025.

Why are the French more exposed to cadmium?

French bread could be more dangerous than what’s on the table in neighboring countries. Why ? Because of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal lurking in everyday foods.

A recent study showed that French people were far more contaminated by cadmium than others. Why is France more contaminated than other countries?

Europe resists Trump’s pressure over Middle East conflict

NATO is once again under fire from American threats. U.S. President Donald Trump is furious over the EU’s repeated refusals to support - even indirectly - his war efforts.

Are Europeans finally firmly standing up against Trump?

Israel's death penalty bill: Will the EU finally sanction Netanyahu's government?

Israel has just passed a law reinstating the death penalty. This measure not only reverses a fundamental principle, but also discriminates against Palestinians. Because capital punishment will only apply to those accused of anti-Jewish terrorism. Will the EU, which strongly opposes the death penalty, now sanction the Israeli government?

Is the EU Commission unable to protect the rule of law in the 27 Member states?

Respect for the rule of law in the EU is seriously eroding. This is what a report compiling data from 40 organisations across the continent has found. Member States are simply not implementing the recommendations made each year by the European Commission. Is the EU reaching its limits in maintaining the rule of law?

Will the EU ban conversion practices for LGBTQ people?

Only eight European countries have banned conversion practices. These so-called therapies often lead to PTSD, but they can go as far as driving young people to suicide.

This is why more than 1 million citizens are asking the EU to ban these practices. Is the EU willin to do so?

Where does the EU stand on the embargo imposed on Cuba?

Total blackout, shortages of food and fuel, lack of medication… The situation in Cuba is worsening day by day. According to the United Nations, the country has been pushed to the point of imminent humanitarian "collapse." What are the reactions of Europeans?

Can we, Europeans, actually reduce our gas consumption?

European households are suffering high energy bills. As long as the war in the Middle East drags on, options to reduce this burden remain limited.

One major reason? Europeans are highly dependent on gas. Can the EU actually cut its gas consumption?

Italy’s referendum: Is Giorgia Meloni slowly losing her grip on power?

Giorgia Meloni has just suffered her first major defeat. On Monday, she lost the judicial referendum she had called. A defeat that will not lead to her resignation, she declared.

But could this first setback weaken her both in Italy and internationally?

What happened with the Ukraine-Russia peace negociations?

Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are constantly being delayed. That’s what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated last week. As his country begins to run out of missiles and financial support, can Zelensky still hope to get out of this war with dignity?