Share

cover art for Why is the EU so quiet about Turkey's wave of protests?

Radio Schuman

Why is the EU so quiet about Turkey's wave of protests?

Season 2, Ep. 141

Recent developments in the Turkish political landscape hint the country’s shift to what critics may call an even more authoritarian rule


Turkey has witnessed waves of protests following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on corruption charges. With the arrest of more than a thousand demonstrators, critics fear a slide towards authoritarianism.

On Monday last week, a European Commission spokesperson urged Turkey to “uphold democratic values,” However, neither commission president Ursula von der Leyen, nor her council counterpart, Antonio Costa has publicly addressed the issue.

The underlying reason seems to be the EU's urgency of maintaining cooperation with Turkey, especially given its already tense ties with the United States.

Radio Schuman also looks at another EU strategy unveiled today – on how the bloc intends to prepare itself for all emergencies, and also explore a list of the EU’s trade partners in iron and steel.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 150. Can Giorgia Meloni navigate the EU away from trade war with US?

    11:48||Season 2, Ep. 150
  • 149. Canadian foreign affairs minister: Our goal is to "become closer" to Europe.

    15:10||Season 2, Ep. 149
    What characterises a revitalised transatlantic friendship between the European Union and Canada? What lessons can the EU draw from Canada’s strategic posture?Today’s Radio Schuman features Euronews’ Shona Murray's interview with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, who outlines Canada’s deepening strategic partnership with the EU.Despite US President Trump’s threats of increased tariffs against Canada and the EU, Joly emphasizes that closer cooperation between the two is already under way and vital for Canada’s economic resilience.Radio Schuman also brings you today's agenda items, with stops in Luxembourg and Egypt, and a look at how our backgrounds influence our career paths.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas.
  • 148. The EU’s path forward on Trump tariffs

    10:25||Season 2, Ep. 148
    How is the EU responding to 20% US tariffs? Is there still an opportunity for negotiation? Today Radio Schuman analyses the situation in conversation with Euronews reporter Jorge Liboreiro.The EU has already formulated a response to the US decision to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium, proposing import duties on American goods valued at €26 billion.EU officials have stated that the bloc aims to respond with a unified package addressing both the proposed 20% tariffs on European exports and the 25% tariffs on imported cars and car parts.Is there still room for negotiation, or is a full-fledged trade dispute inevitable?In other news, Radio Schuman analyses which countries have the most job vacancies across Europe.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas.
  • 147. Green MEP urges EU companies not to “change their practice” after Trump’s DEI letters

    08:45||Season 2, Ep. 147
    European companies should not feel compelled to abandon their values, management practices, or commitment to diversity and workplace care, French Green MEP Majdouline Sbai tells Radio Schuman today.Her remarks came in response to letters from the US administration to several European embassies, urging suppliers to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) measures to maintain their contracts in the US.This move follows the Trump administration’s broader efforts to dismantle DEI policies across federal agencies, contractors, the private sector, universities, and international grant recipients.The strongest responses came from France and Belgium, with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Jan Jambon asserting that Europe upholds a culture of non-discrimination and rejecting US interference.Radio Schuman also explores the EU-Central Asia summit that will start today in Samarkand as well as the top European companies for nervous travellers.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Joan Breton. Music by Alexandre Jas.
  • 146. EU tech chief to Elon Musk: 'We're protecting freedom of speech!'

    14:19||Season 2, Ep. 146
    The Digital Services Act (DSA) is not intended to regulate content but to protect freedom of speech, European Commissioner for tech Henna Virkkunen tells Euronews' Shona Murray in an interview featured on Radio Schuman on Wednesday.Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump have criticised the EU’s regulatory efforts, arguing that they undermine democracy and free speech.In response to this criticism, Virkkunen downplayed concerns from the United States, reaffirmed the European Commission’s commitment to enforcing the Digital Services Act, and emphasised that online platforms were currently cooperating with the investigation.We also discuss the new US tariffs coming into effect today, as well as European legislation on flight reimbursements.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas.
  • 145. Is Marine Le Pen politically dead or poised to become a martyr?

    09:42||Season 2, Ep. 145
    What is in line for the political career for the National Rally leader, Marine Le Pen? Today Radio Schuman digs in to the aftermath of the court barring Marine Le Pen from running for public office for five years with Euronews journalist Greg Leroy.Le Pen has condemned the ruling as politically motivated and stated that millions of French citizens are outraged. She vowed to appeal and requested that the proceedings conclude before the 2027 campaign. Until the appeal is resolved, she remains ineligible to run for office.Radio Schuman also looks at average salaries in Europe for police officers.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas.
  • 144. Is non-alcoholic wine no longer a taboo in Europe?

    12:10||Season 2, Ep. 144
    Are non-alcoholic wines the key to sustaining the declining wine industry, or Is alcohol an essential characteristic of wine? Today Radio Schuman explores this topic with Euronews reporter Gerardo Fortuna.Last week, the European Commission launched a package to help the industry navigate changing societal tastes, manage its production and develop new opportunities, including tapping into the growing non-alcoholic market.It included three standardized denominations - ‘Alcohol-free’, ‘0.0%’ and ‘alcohol light’ as a means of making new wine varieties more attractive to customers.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas.
  • 143. Trump tariffs to trigger EU-US 'tit for tat', says car lobby chief

    13:57||Season 2, Ep. 143
    US tariffs and the EU's countermeasures would result in economic disruption ripping apart global value chains, the director of European auto trade group ACEA tells Radio Schuman on FridayUS President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on imported cars and car parts came as a hard blow for European car makers, who export between 50% and 60% of their production to the US.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her dismay over the sudden decision, saying that the tariffs would punish both European and American companies, signalling the bloc's intention to retaliate."I think the both sides will try to, would try to hurt each other where it hurts most," says Sigrid de Vries, the director general of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), describing what he thinks the short-term impact of the rift would look like. "It will rip apart global value chains," he added.Today's episode also looks at a discussion among ministers on the EU’s cohesion funds and at a survey revealing the best European countries for women's health.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas.
  • 142. Is the EU securing children from risks of social media?

    13:41||Season 2, Ep. 142