Beyond the Byline

Today, the Commission unveils its rebranded Green Deal, signalling a new approach to industrial policy. The draft of the proposal obtained by Euractiv last week suggests a less-than-green path for Europe's industrial revival, with a clear focus on slashing red tape. In doing so, however, it appears environmental safeguards may take a back seat.   This negligence comes on top of unresolved issues on the regulation of forever chemicals, EU-wide waste management, and the sourcing of critical minerals – all challenges at the core of Commissioner Jessica Roswall's mandate. So, what are her true priorities?    In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv's environment reporter, Barbara Machado, explore the key elements of the proposal and what it means for environmental protection.  

Yesterday, fifty-nine million voters cast their ballots in what is considered a defining election for Europe's future. It was a big night for the Christian Democrats, which came out on top. This is a good reason for Merz, the likely next chancellor, to celebrate – but maybe not too hard, as the far-right AfD is now the second force in parliament. For the Social Democrats, it was more of an existential crisis, performing the lowest score ever in a result that Scholz himself described as a "defeat." But what happens next? And what does Merz hold for the future of the EU? Euractiv's editor-in-chief Matthew Karnitschnig and German bureau chief Nick Alipour reacted to the results as they were coming in from our Berlin office.

The first round of US-Russia talks on a potential Ukraine peace deal kicked off yesterday in Riyadh – behind closed doors and without a single European or Ukrainian representative. The meeting caps off a week of American shock therapy for the continent, from Trump's call with Putin to tough talk from US top brass in Munich, which sent shockwaves to Brussels and Kyiv, leaving them wondering about their role – if any – in the deal. Zelenskyy has insisted no deal happens without Kyiv while EU leaders met for an emergency meeting in Paris on Monday, though there was little they could agree on. But if European leaders are not at the negotiation table, how will they make their voices heard? And how does Brussels guarantee Ukraine will only accept a deal that meets their demands? To answer these questions, Euractiv's chief diplomatic correspondent, Alexandra Brzozowski, sat down with the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas.

Last weekend, Munich hosted the world's premier geopolitical forum amid shifting alliances and rising tensions across country lines.  In the Bavarian capital leaders convened to debate on everything from global governance to climate security. But the real question for Europeans remains how the ongoing war in Ukraine will end, and on whose terms after Trump held a “lengthy and productive” call with Putin last week.  Will Europe play a role in shaping the outcome, or will it be forced to accept a deal dictated by Washington?  In this episode, producer Charles Cohen and Chief Diplomatic Correspondent Alexandra Brzozowski go through highlights and lowlights from the Munich Security Conference.  

Are you looking forward to celebrating the day of love? You're not the only one. For food producers, the day is a test of how far consumers are willing to stretch their budgets. After all, chocolate prices have been skyrocketing due to a perfect storm of supply chain disruptions, climate change, and energy crisis. Only in December 2024, cocoa bean prices surged by 250%. How is inflation shaping broader food trends in Europe? And what alternatives to cocoa beans chocolate could we soon see?  In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro explore how the food market is adapting to unprecedented costs.  

Across the Western Balkans and beyond, the eye watering prices of food products have led citizens to successfully boycott supermarkets in the past two weeks.  In Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, sales were down to 30% or more. This weekend, Calin Georgescu, polls' frontrunner in Romania, called on people to boycott foreign-owned supermarkets, “to support Romanian producers.” In November, the relatively unknown independent politician turned Tiktok star. Georgescu won the first round of the presidential election. However, the country's top court then annulled the result over alleged Russian interference.  How has Georgescu's platform changed since? And what strategy is the government adopting against foreign interference ahead of the next elections in May?                                                                   In this episode, host Giada Santana and Bucharest-based Global Focus think thank director Oana Popescu – Zamfir analyse the supermarket boycott phenomenon, and the road ahead the Romanian election.  

NATO members are meeting in Brussels today for the first time since Trump took office to discuss defence spending pledges, GDP targets, and weapons delivery to Kyiv. The bloc is feeling the pressure. Trump infamously said he could end the war in 24 hours – yet in politics, 24 hours can change a lot. This meeting is a chance to show the US that the EU countries are doing their part in the Alliance, but there is a nagging doubt this may not be enough to persuade Washington to stay on in Ukraine.  So, what deliverables can we expect from NATO talks? And is Europe ready to assert its role in the Ukraine peace plan?  In this episode, host Giada Santana and defence editor Aurelie Pugnet talk about the NATO meeting ahead and MEP Virginijus Sinkevicius speaks about Ukraine's bargaining chips.

Eighty world leaders are in Paris for the final day of the AI Summit, a key forum for Europe's renewed push to close the gap with AI powerhouses—the U.S. and China.For years, the high cost of innovation kept Europe on the sidelines. That's changing. French President Emmanuel Macron said the country has secured more than €100 billion in private funding to drive technological breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the European Commission is backing a €150 billion investment through a joint venture of private firms aiming to position the EU as a global AI leader.Brussels wants rapid progress. But will that come at the expense of safety and oversight? And how is this summit reshaping the global AI conversation?In this episode, host Giada Santana and tech reporter Jacob Wulff Wold discuss Europe's ambitions voiced at the AI summit. 

Five years after the Brexit referendum, the UK has undergone its biggest change in a century. In Westminister, five prime ministers have tried – and failed – to stabilise the country's political and financial lifeline. Now, it is Starmer's turn. In Brussels, hopes rest on his success, especially in rekindling diplomatic ties on trade, defence, and youth mobility.  Where are we at in negotiations? And how is Brexit still influencing London's decisions?In this episode, host Giada Santana talks to Euractiv's editor Owen Morgan and BREXIT expert Joël Reland about the future of EU-UK relations. 

For the first time in 60 years, France started the year without a budget bill after December's vote triggered the collapse of Prime Minister Barnier's three-month-old government. But this week, new PM Michel Bayrou managed to push through the budget – avoid the New Popular Front alliance's no-confidence vote and secure his own job in the process.   Now, the opposition is pointing finger at one party in particular: the Socialists, who broke away from the NFP and decided not to rally behind the group's vote. The party divisions in the NFP could mark the end of the alliance, and leave France's left in limbo.   Could the socialists deal the final blow to NFP?  In this episode, host Giada Santana and Paris-based politics reporter Theo Bourgery-Gonse make sense of the french left's fragmentation and PM Bayrou's latest moves. 

After Canada, Mexico, and China, the EU could be next to face the threat of tariffs as Donald Trump's latest remarks suggest levies on European goods may be imminent. Is Brussels prepared to retaliate? And how might the bloc get entangled in a global trade war?In this episode, host Giada Santana and economy reporter Thomas Moller-Nielsen break down Trump's strategy—and what it could mean for the EU.

The new Chinese AI model DeepSeek R1 is making waves worldwide as the start up behind it says it runs at a fraction of the cost of all existing models on the market. That seems impressive. Or sort of. In the EU, at least eleven member states have promptly reacted to the launch, demanding the platform clarification on its privacy policy. Brussels' investigation, on the other hand, has yet to reach conclusions. What rules could the Chinese startup be in violation of? Where does the data go? In this episode, host Giada Santana and tech reporter Claudie Moreau ask DeepSeek some of these questions directly and analyse what measures Brussels can implement to protect users.

Concerns over the EU's trade deal with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay have stalled negotiations for two decades. Now, the agreement is signed – but its opposition is far from sealed. Farmers worry it means unfair competition and fear cheaper, less-regulated imports could threaten their livelihoods. Economy Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen stepped in last week to ease tensions over Mercosur's impact. Was it enough? And how is the Commission handling the pushback? In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Maria Simon Arboleas analyse the fragmentation around the Mercosur agreement and the Commission's plan to move forward.

Less than a month before the publication of the Clean Industrial Deal, executive commissioner Teresa Ribera speaks to host Giada Santana and EET editor Donagh Cagney about competitiveness, environmental NGOs lobbying and the hostile political climate standing in her way.

Not many could have guessed that the 2024 railway accident in Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city, would spark some of the largest protests in the country's post-Soviet history, ultimately leading to Prime Minister Miloš Vučević's resignation. While demonstrators are demanding accountability for the 15 lives lost in the railway ceiling collapse, they also want greater transparency and the rule of law enforcement. But Serbia's political landscape offers little in the way of real opposition to President Aleksandar Vučić. How did the country reach this breaking point? And what comes next? In this episode, producer Charles Cohen speaks with Engjellushe Morina, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, to unpack the roots of Serbia's mass protests and what lies ahead.

European Commission's President von der Leyen unveils today her 'North Star' of economic strategy: the Competitiveness Compass. Beyond the motto of simplifying and unifying, the document has drawn praise from businesses and raised alarms among unions. What impact will it have on the Union's economic future?In this episode, host Giada Santana talks to Euractiv's economy reporter, Thomas Moller-Nielsen, to unpack the Compass' key takeaways.

By becoming the moderate face of the AfD, Alice Weidel helped transform the party from a fringe movement into a dominant force, forcing its rivals to rethink their electoral strategy. However, Weidel's private life reveals contradictions some argue clash with the traditional values of the far-right movement.She has lived abroad, is openly in a same-sex relationship, and splits her time between Germany and Switzerland. But rather than hindering her rise, these complexities have fuelled Weidel's climb to power, positioning the 46-year-old as a contender for the chancellorship.In this episode, host Giada Santana is joined by Berlin-based politics reporter Nick Alipour to examine the AfD's transformation under Weidel's leadership.

The European Union approved its first-ever crisis response unit, a 5,000-strong force designed to address threats outside its borders. However, as EU foreign ministers convene today to once again deliberate on Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, one thing seems clear: the newly minted crisis unit doesn't look set to be heading to Kyiv – or anywhere else – in the immediate future.Why is the EU keeping its crisis response corps on standby during one of the most significant security challenges in its modern history? And if Ukraine is off the table, what types of crises or regions might eventually trigger their first mission?

Greenland has come into the limelight after Donald Trump suggested buying the island in late December. The controversy reignited a wish for independence in the world's largest island, and thrown the government in Copenhagen into a political quagmire. In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with politics reporter Magnus Lund Nielsen, who has been covering the latest developments in Greenland on the ground for the past two weeks.  

As European leaders and the world's most powerful companies descended upon Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum this week, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used the summit to unveil plans aimed at boosting the EU's competitiveness, expanding trade, and attracting much-needed talent.But is the market buying into it? Business leaders might see the EU blueprint short on specifics, as sluggish growth continues to weigh on the bloc, and the potential effects of US tariffs remain difficult to gauge. Can Brussels steer Europe through mounting global challenges? And how robust is its economic playbook for the future?In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with economy reporter Thomas Moller Nielsen about the EU's stance on innovation, competitiveness, and tariffs as publicised in Davos.

The EU is facing some serious questions about the lack of robust counter-intelligence measures after an investigation revealed that Hungarian secret forces spied on the European Anti-Fraud Office between 2015 and 2017. During this time, the office investigated corruption linked to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's son-in-law. How could the espionage go unnoticed for three years? And what does it say about the EU's counter-intelligence efforts – or lack thereof? In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Szabolcs Panyi, the lead Hungarian journalist who uncovered the spy scandal, and Greens MEP Daniel Freund about the EU's failure to shield its civil servants from foreign espionage.

For his first full day in office as 47th president, Donald Trump is expected to sign as many as 100 executive orders on climate, tariffs and national security. Meanwhile, the European Union remains without clear leadership, as member states such as France, Germany, and Austria grapple with domestic political challenges. What did Trump pledge in his inauguration speech? And what could his presidency mean for Europe?In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Peter Rough, Director of the Center on Europe at the Hudson Institute, and Jeremy Shapiro, Research Director at the European Council on Foreign Relations, to explore the implications of Trump's return to the White House.

German carmakers are under pressure. They must meet new EU carbon emission targets. Chinese manufacturers are gaining ground with cheaper, subsidized electric vehicles. A new German government could bring policy changes for the industry.How are German carmakers trying to save the EV market?In this episode, host Giada Santana talks to Jasper Steinlein, a reporter covering energy, the environment, and transport. They discuss the crisis facing German carmakers and how political parties are promising to fix it.

Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks are hanging by a thread, despite months of brokering from Qatar, Egypt and the United States. Talks are stalling over how far Israeli troops should withdraw, according to what an informed US official told the Associated Press.Despite contributing over €500 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians over the past 25 years—and pledging another €120 million—the EU still doesn't have a seat at the table.So, why isn't Brussels be part of the peace process?In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Relief International Gaza Program Manager Yara Mowafy about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. To analyze the EU's involvement, she interviews ECFR Middle East expert Hugh Lovatt.

The incoming Trump presidency is changing the rules of the game for big tech compliance with digital EU regulation. Meta axed its fact-checking team in the United States, while Google did similarly in the EU. On X, Musk now wields the platform as a political megaphone.The potential political ramifications – particularly in terms of misinformation and political interference – are hard to gauge. What tools does the world's most powerful regulatory force have to shield online users from harm?In this episode, host Giada Santana and tech reporter Anupriya Datta discuss X and Meta's latest developments and whether the DSA can hold them accountable.

For the next six months, Poland will chair the Presidency of the Council of the EU and coordinate the 27 member states under the motto ‘Security, Europe!'. But even just convincing countries to agree on what security means will be extremely difficult. So, how is the Polish presidency preparing for its mandate?   "The big task for the Polish presidency will be to foster unity in terms of sending support, money, and equipment to Ukraine," said Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Poland's EU affairs undersecretary. But looking at the last years, not all members are on the same page. In this episode, host Giada Santana interviews Sobkowiak-Czarnecka to find out how Poland plans to steer its presidency.

Leaders meet today to coordinate on how to better defend the Baltic Sea after the latest incident saw the cutting of four internet and one power transmission cable on Christmas day. EU officials suspect Russia is behind the sabotage. If they are right, this attack marks a step up in the Kremlin's hybrid warfare strategy.  "Towards the end at least of the Cold War, everyone learned the rules. Now, we are much less certain of what the other side wants to communicate”, said historian Vladislav Zubok,"and that for me, is rather disconcerting".In this episode, host Giada Santana analyzes the latest cable-cutting incident with defense editor Aurelie Pugnet and energy & climate reporter Niko Kurmayer. Expert Vladislav Zubok chimes in to draw parallels between now and the Cold War

The bloc of populists within the European Union might soon expand to include Austria. Herbert Kickl is likely to become Austria's next Chancellor. Until recently, even his own party thought he was too extreme for the job. Now, his rise comes at a crucial time for Europe's security concerns, especially given the politician's favorable stance towards the Kremlin. But Brussels has more than one tool to retaliate. How did Austria get here? And what might Kickl's leadership mean for the future of the country—and the EU? In this episode, host Giada Santana interviews Karnitschnig to discuss Austria's political shift and its implications for Europe.

In this episode, we revisit a significant development in the transatlantic tech landscape: Elon Musk's controversial appointment as head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its potential impact on EU-US relations.Host Giada Santana and Euractiv's Eliza Gritski explore the EU's probe into X, the implications of Musk's new role, and what this means for the future of EU digital policy and transatlantic relations.[Note: This episode was originally published on Nov 18th.]

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.

Germany's political groups officially kicked off their campaign trail after Chancellor Scholz lost a no-confidence vote on Tuesday (17 December). With a snap election now set for February, the race is well underway. From their manifestos, both the SPD (S&D) and CDU/CSU (EPP) appear to be carefully calibrating their messaging on key voter concerns – such as aid to Ukraine, economic policy, and migration. Their goal? To win over voters without shutting the door on future coalition deals. But which alliances stand a real chance, and what is the strategy behind the catchy slogans? In this episode, host Giada Santana teams up with Euractiv's Berlin-based reporters, Nick Alipour and Jasper Steinlein, to unpack how the CDU/CSU and SPD are branding themselves and the strategies driving their campaigns.

François Bayrou's appointment as France's new prime minister is the latest in a series of questionable political moves Emmanuel Macron has made since June, which have increasingly put the president in a vulnerable position. Outmanoeuvred by his long-time ally Bayrou, who used his political leverage to secure the job, Macron now faces a public growing all the more sceptical of his leadership. The new French prime minister, however, appears ready to move past party lines to guarantee the government's survival. What cards is Bayrou prepared to play to lock in his power? In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Paris-based politics reporter Théo Bourgery-Gonse to discuss how Bayrou outplayed Macron and what this means for the French government's future.

The European Parliament will elect the new EU Ombudsman on Tuesday (17 December) to replace Emily O'Reilly, with her successor set to inherit her impressive legacy.In a sit-down interview with Giada Santana, O'Reilly reflected on her time in office, the current political climate, and her landmark inquiry into Frontex. 

Estonia, a leader in digital governance, is known for remote internet voting, online public services, and digital IDs, earning recognition as the world's second most digitalized government, according to the United Nations. But its technological advancements have made it a target for cyber interference from Moscow as geopolitical tensions move online.“The propaganda budget for Russia is bigger than the whole Estonian state budget,” said Estonia's Digital Minister Liisa Pakosta to Euractiv. “It's a hybrid war between the autocratic and democratic world," the minister added.The Baltic state shares a 294-kilometre border with Russia and is home to a 300,000-strong Russian-speaking minority, factors that increase its exposure to Kremlin-linked hybrid warfare. How has Estonia built its tech-driven society, and how is it helping its neighbours fend off digital threats?In this episode, host Giada Santana is joined by Estonia's Justice and Digital Affairs Minister Liisa Pakosta to discuss Estonia's digital transformation and the challenges of securing a fully digital state in an era of escalating cyber warfare.

Georgia's parliament is set to elect the country's next president on Saturday (14 December), a vote that could backfire for the ruling Dream Party as it has opted to back pro-Russian candidate Mikheil Kavelashvili. During its four terms in power, Georgian Dream has gradually worked towards eroding democratic institutions - a move that has alienated much of civil society, including top national banks and diplomats, many of whom have publicly distanced themselves from the government. In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Carnegie's Thomas De Waal about Georgia's apparent shift towards Russia and what the EU can do to respond. 

Talk of EU migration policy have dominated Brussels this week, with at least 15 EU countries deciding to freeze asylum requests for Syrian citizens and EU leaders set to vote on key matters at the EU Home Affairs Council.EU's migration policy will be high on the political agenda when EU interior ministers meet in Brussels on Thursday (12 December).Key decisions include a vote on extending Schengen membership to Romania and Bulgaria, revising anti-smuggling measures, and promoting the implementation of the EU Migration Pact at the national level.In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv's politics reporter Nicoletta Ionta look at the controversial migration debates at the EU level and their potential outcomes.

As a transitional government takes shape in Syria, hopes run high for the country to regain its democratic status after a decade-long dictatorship. However, the aftermath leaves a fragmented political scenario that might easily spiral into chaos. From Moscow to Ankara and Teheran, regional powers are competing for relevance through the support of the different armed groups involved in the fall of Bashar al Assad's regime. And if Europe strives for stability in the country, it has a role to play as well, according to experts. In this episode, host Giada Santana breaks down the rivaling interests shaping the future of Syria with Chatham House fellow Chris Phillips and Russian reporter Iuliia Akhmedova. 

The European Union could face unexpected fallout from the latest round of sanctions imposed by Beijing on U.S. markets, as China banned the shipment of three rare minerals critical for building next-generation weapons and military equipment. How does the US-China trade war impact the European Union, and how can Europe protect its defense industry at at such a crucial time? In this episode, host Giada Santana and defense reporter Aurelie Pugnet discuss the latest escalation in the tit-for-tat between Beijing and Washington and what it implies for the Union.  

The EU and four Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) finalised a historic trade agreement on Friday (6 December) after 25 years of talks. First proposed in 1999, the deal will establish one of the world's largest free trade zones – but not everyone seems to be happy about it. The deal has drawn sharp criticism in the Union over environmental and political concerns. So, what does the South American trade pact entail, and why has it created such deep divisions within the EU?In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro unpack the EU-Mercosur deal and the controversies it has sparked.

Brussels is on tenterhooks as Romania heads to the polls on Sunday (8 December) to choose between pro-Moscow TikTok star Călin Georgescu and pro-European hopeful Elena Lasconi in the final round of the presidential elections.In a country where one in three citizens trust the government, the semi-presidential system could grant far-right candidate Georgescu significant power to challenge parliamentary majorities and potentially shift the country's stance on Moscow.In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv's senior editor Georgi Gotev break down the elections in Romania and assess the situation as the country prepares for its next chapter.

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.