Share
![cover art for Navigating French Politics: Insights from Pierre Sellal](https://res.cloudinary.com/pippa/image/fetch/h_750,w_750,f_auto/https://assets.pippa.io/shows/66435f391ec45a00127feb2f/1719899059752-bcd49832670909ef2e7ac4722a1ac808.jpeg)
Radio Schuman
Navigating French Politics: Insights from Pierre Sellal
In this episode of Radio Schuman, we explore the complexities of French politics with insights from Pierre Sellal, France’s former Permanent Representative to the EU.
Sellal discusses how a potential far-right government in France might influence EU policies without direct conflict.
We delve into the challenges of coalition-building in France, the nation's unique political dynamics, and why French presidents often face widespread disapproval.
Plus, we tackle the summer dilemma: Should you put ice in your glass of rosé wine? Tune in for a blend of political analysis and cultural debates.
Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques and audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron. The music is by Alexandre Jas.
More episodes
View all episodes
13. Is the EU’s flagship ERASMUS exchange program under threat?
16:30||Season 2, Ep. 13In July, the Council agreed on its position on the EU’s budget for 2025, which includes a reduction of almost 295 million euros per year for Erasmus +. The institution promoted a “realistic and prudent approach” to the budget that would match the bloc’s priorities including the war in Ukraine, the migration crisis and post-pandemic recovery. The parliament is not on the same line, and a heated discussion is scheduled next week in plenary before MEPs vote on their position in October. Negotiations between the 3 institutions to adopt the 2025 budget will begin in November.The European Parliament and European Commission are likely to fight back against those budget cuts. Today Radio Schuman discusses this matter with the French MEP Emma Rafowicz. A quick look at key debates on the Brussels agenda and the European Commission nominees: how do EU member states nominate their candidates?On a different note, discover how Copenhagen is becoming more and more resilient to floods. Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.12. Why did von der Leyen delay announcing her team?
17:06||Season 2, Ep. 12What are the real reasons underlying European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen delaying announcing the portfolios for her executive?The official reason for the delay is that Slovenia has changed its nominee and the country’s parliament needs to ratify the new name. But the path to nominate commissioners is often turbulent, what else is afoot?Today Radio Schuman looks for answers with Euronews journalist Gerardo Fortuna.The German government's decision to reintroduce border controls at all its borders raises important questions about the future of the Schengen area. Is the restriction of free movement becoming the new normal in Europe? We also examine the European Commission's response.On a different note, did you know that overexposure to fitness videos promoting idealised, super-fit bodies can be harmful to teens? YouTube is introducing new rules to protect young users.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.11. Draghi’s Report Risks Colliding With EU Political Reality
10:42||Season 2, Ep. 11A key and controversial recommendation of former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi's competitiveness report was for Europe to have recourse to common debt instruments to keep the pace with competitors such as the US and China.But what happens when Draghi's recommendations come face to face with political reality in the EU?My colleague Vincenzo Genovese found out from Guntram Wolff, from the Brussels-based European economic think tank Bruegel.We make a brief overview of the two major court judgments cases due today involving Apple and Google: will the final rulings alter how the EU handles state aid cases (in the Apple case) and shape competition in the digital market (in the Google case)?On a lighter note, have you heard about the latest trend in tourism, the sleepcation?Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.10. Could the European Parliament reject Italy’s Commission nominee?
17:34||Season 2, Ep. 10After European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen presents her list of Commissioners to the European Parliament this week, the legal affairs parliamentary committee will assess whether any conflict of interest would make them unable to carry out their duties.In 2019, von der Leyen asked Hungary and Romania to present new candidates for the European Commission after the legal committee found out that the nominees could not carry out their task in full transparency.The unofficial list of commission nominees that has already circulated in the media show that Italy, Hungary and Malta among others could face hurdles to getting their nominees confirmed.What can we expect this time around? How will MEPs treat Raffaele Fitto, the potential Italian nominee whose party voted against the re-election of von der Leyen? Will MEPs reject the incumbent Hungarian candidate, Oliver Varhelyi? What will be their approach with any of Viktor Orban’s candidates?This Monday, Radio Schuman answers these questions in conversation with the Green German MEP Daniel Freund.A quick look at Mario Draghi's report, which will be presented on Monday by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Draghi himself: are there any controversial points that might generate heated discussions with EU member states?In good news from science, a new AI model for cancer diagnosis could greatly change how the disease is detected and understood.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.9. Malta's and Hungary's Commission nominees face 'tough' grilling in Parliament - EPP MEP
16:01||Season 2, Ep. 9Will the European Parliament approve the list of Commission nominees that von der Leyen will present next week?According to veteran German MEP Peter Liese, some nominees will struggle to secure their spot, with the Maltese and Hungarian choices most imperilled.Euronews has seen a list of 25 commissioners-designate doing the rounds of Ursula von der Leyen's own European People's Party which earmarks their potential portfolios. It may not reflect what the Commission President finally decides on September 11, but Radio Schuman can give you a peek at the latest on which names will slot into the portfolios.We also take a quick look at the newly elected prime minister in France: Michel Barnier is very well known in EU Brussels circles, as two-time European Commissioner and chief negotiator of the Brexit deal. Will he be able to keep all political sides of France's divided National Assembly together however?On a lighter note, did you know that you can now buy Spaghetti Carbonara out of a tin in the UK? As you can imagine, that doesn't set Italian taste buds tingling...Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.8. Reforming The CAP? How The EU Sees The Future Of Its Agriculture
10:08||Season 2, Ep. 8Changing the rules on subsidising farmers is at the heart of a 100-page report on the future of agriculture set to feed a vision document due in the first 100 days of the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s second mandate.A significant overhaul of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to make subsidies based on farmers’ income rather than farm size is among changes proposed in a report on the future of agriculture presented to Ursula von der Leyen.Today’s Radio Schuman looks at this report – launched in response to widespread anger from farmers protesting in EU capitals – which also pledges a shift to plant-based diets and a temporary just transition fund outside the CAP to help farmers transition towards more sustainable practices.Will this blueprint make Europe’s farmers’ lives easier? Environmental NGO Greenpeace seems to think so. Euronews’s Aida Sanchez spoke to Marco Contiero, the organization’s EU agricultural policy director.We also take a quick look at the ongoing saga surrounding the appointment of European commissioners saga: what is the latest timeline?There’s also some good science news: did you know that sleeping some extra hours during the weekends can save your life? Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.7. Rising Far Right Creating Worse Gender Imbalance - Romanian Nominee
16:46||Season 2, Ep. 7On Monday, Roxana Mînzatu was presented by the Romanian government as the next European Commissioner for the country, withdrawing the previous nomination of Victor Negrescu, to comply with Ursula von der Leyen's gender criteria.Minzatu, who is 44, is a former Secretary of State for European funds, and later for public procurement. She spoke to Euronews journalist Shona Murray hours after her nomination about her recent job interview with von der Leyen, the importance of implementing EU law in Europe, and her concerns over the EU’s backsliding on gender balance. A quick look at the gruesome report from Human Rights Watch on forced returns of Syrian refugees by the Cypriot and Lebanese authorities. The NGO claims that the financial help from the EU to Lebanon on border management has never been conditional on the respect of human rights. How much does it cost to go back to school? Today Radio Schuman talks about the average spending of the top European five economies on school supplies- spoiler alert: those spending more are not very rich. Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.6. AI, big tech and tax: Radio Schuman talks EU digital and antitrust policy with Margrethe Vestager
18:32||Season 2, Ep. 6From regret for the outcome tax state aid cases, to optimism for the future of European AI - outgoing Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager sat down with Radio Schuman.The EU’s outgoing digital and competition supremo regretted the outcome of landmark tax state aid cases and expressed optimism for the future of European AI in an exclusive sit down with Radio Schuman.“It would have been better” if the Commission had won the controversial tax state aid cases – successfully challenged by Ireland and Luxembourg in respect of so-called sweetheart deals with Apple and Engie - Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager told us.However the woman at the forefront of shaping the EU's competition and digital policies for nearly a decade was content that global tax policies had adapted over the same period, and she expressed optimism that the conditions for investment and ethical development of AI have paved the way for a European AI model that can compete in a fierce global contest.Vestager also defended her track record, and criticised gender imbalance in the nominations for the next EU commissioners.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.5. Ukraine's Defense
14:43||Season 2, Ep. 5In this episode of Radio Schuman, we discuss Ukraine's urgent plea to lift EU restrictions on long-range weapons for better defense against Russia, featuring insights from Ukraine expert Sasha Vakulina.We also touch on Putin's recent trip to Mongolia and explore a quirky new dating trend in Spain's supermarkets.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.