Radio Schuman

What implications would Herbert Kickl's rise to Austria's chancellorship, as the leader of the Eurosceptic, anti-immigration, and pro-Russian Freedom Party, have for Brussels and the European Union?Today Radio Schuman answers this question with centre-right European People's Party (EPP) MEP Reinhold Lopatka.After the resignation of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and the collapse of centrist coalition talks, President Alexander Van der Bellen has tasked Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), with forming a new government.The FPÖ, which won 28.8% of the vote in September's elections, is now negotiating with the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), despite the latter’s initial reluctance. If successful, Austria would normalize a coalition between centrist and far-right forces, potentially bringing a Eurosceptic, pro-Russian, and anti-immigration leader to the EU stage, aligning closely with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán.Today we also take a look at a European court case about data privacy and the most punctual airlines worldwide - spoiler alert: the ranking may challenge your expectations!Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas.

The Baltic states, Poland, and Sweden are among the better-prepared EU countries in countering disinformation, while Italy, Germany, and Romania appear to be among the most vulnerable, stated Mattia Caniglia, Senior Intelligence and Policy Analyst at the Global Disinformation Index, according to an interview with Euronews.In the interview featured for Radio Schuman, Caniglia exmplain why some countries are more prepared than others and what are the major method and tools used throughout 2024 to spread disinformation.Radio Schuman also has a quick look at Meloni-Musk negotiations for a 1.5 billion deal to use SpaceX Starlink to set up a government and military communication system.Finally, we also bring you to tourist destinations where visitors are rewarded if they behave!Today's Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Eleonora Vasques. Audio editing by Georgios Levaditis and music by Alexandre Jas.

The first Radio Schuman episode of the new year follows significant uncertainties left behind by 2024 that Europe will have to handle.The continent is set to experience significant political and policy shifts, with Ursula von der Leyen's influence growing, the balance of power in the EU potentially changing due to elections in Germany, and global uncertainties like Trump's re-election affecting relations with Russia and China.Key policy discussions will include the upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework, increased defence spending and ongoing migration reforms. On top of that, there's also competitiveness, energy security, and tackling budget deficits in EU economies, all up for debate.Radio Schuman touches upon what's ahead with Euronews reporter Paula Soler.We will also explore last week's presidential election in Croatia and look at the roster and the gameplan of the first MEP delegation of the year as it begins its work abroad.Finally, are smokes vanishing into thin air only to be replaced with electronic cigarettes? We'll check out who and how uses vapes — widely popular nicotine devices — across Europe.Today's Radio Schuman is hosted by senior policy reporter Gerardo Fortuna and produced by journalist Eleonora Vasques, with audio editing by Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas.

As EU leaders gather in Brussels today for a one-day summit, Radio Schuman previews expectations for leaders' discussions with Euronews journalist Jorge Liboreiro.Key topics on the agenda include the current state of EU support for Ukraine, the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the White House in January, and the EU's next steps in addressing Syria's fragile political landscape following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.Today is also the António Costa’s inaugural summit as European Council President and the first time French President Emmanuel Macron has missed the gathering, as he attends to the devastating aftermath of Cyclone Chido on the French island of Mayotte.We also examine a new study on jobs that may help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas.

Today Radio Schuman talks all things Syria with Adam Coogle, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Division at Human Rights Watch. What should the EU's approach be to the new regime in Syria? Should the EU lift sanctions in the country and start a dialogue with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which is defined as a terrorist organisation by the EU?Radio Schuman also examines the next steps in the European Commission's investigation into TikTok, and a European Court of Auditors report on the Commission's performance in enforcing EU law.We also look at how Europe is performing on the gender pay gap in the workplace.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas.

Why did French President Emmanuel Macron choose Francois Bayrou as Prime Minister and how might he approach the role differently from his predecessor Michel Barnier? Today Radio Schuman dives into the issue in conversation with Euronews reporter Gregoire Lory.Bayrou, a former minister and three-time presidential candidate, leads the centrist Democratic Movement (MoDem), which he founded in 2007. Currently, Bayrou is holding preliminary talks with France’s political parties, including the far-right National Rally, to discuss the 2025 budget and the shape of the next government.Like his predecessor Michel Barnier, Bayrou faces the challenge of forming a government that can hold together, in the face of growing pressure from Brussels for France to reduce its debt, projected to reach 6% of GDP this year.Today we also look at European Commission Ursula von der Leyen's trip to Turkey and some significant votes at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.Also today, Radio Schuman explores which countries in Europe enjoy the cleanest air, and where the air quality is worst.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas.

Today Radio Schuman chews over the confidence vote in Germany, expected to hand a clear lead to the SPD’s conservative rivals, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), with Olivia Stroud, Euronews Berlin correspondent.Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s political future is precarious. His coalition government of Social Democrats and Greens has lacked a majority since the liberal FDP exited.On the international stage, Germany faces mounting challenges. The war in Ukraine continues unabated, Syria’s new coalition government is fragile, and Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency presents significant issues for Germany, the EU’s largest nation. Meanwhile, unprecedented political instability in France has left the Franco-German alliance—the engine of European integration—effectively stalled.What lies ahead for Germany? Why are conservatives poised to reclaim power, and what coalition could take shape?In the second segment of the podcast we look at the most important issues under discussion at today's foreign affairs council.In the last part of the show, Radio Schuman reveals the side jobs of some members of the European Parliament.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas.

Georgia has recently experienced weeks of protests following parliamentary elections that secured a win for the ruling Georgian Dream party. In the aftermath, the party announced plans to suspend efforts to join the European Union.On Saturday, the country faces presidential elections, a development that could further destabilise the nation of 3.7 million people and potentially accelerate the government’s distancing from the EU.Although the presidency in Georgia is largely ceremonial, this election is significant as it marks the first time since the 2017 constitutional reforms that the president will be chosen by parliament rather than by popular vote. The current president, Salome Zourabichvili, represents the pro-EU opposition and has consistently criticised Georgian Dream for its increasingly authoritarian, anti-Western, and pro-Russian policies. Recently, Zourabichvili declared she does not recognise the results of the parliamentary elections and pledged to remain in office until new elections are held.Georgian Dream has nominated Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former soccer player with Eurosceptic views, as its presidential candidate.To gain deeper insight into the stakes of Saturday’s election and the current situation in Georgia, Radio Schuman spoke with Nuka Kekelia, our Euronews correspondent in Tbilisi.In the second segment of the podcast, we had a look at some details of a vote on human trafficking among EU ministers.In the last part of the show, Radio Schuman brings you the new code of conduct of the upcoming Eurovision.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas.