Roundtable

Europe's push to become less reliant on imported fossil fuels has resulted in the growth of solar power with a record 25% of the EU’s electricity being generated by solar in June.Germany, Spain and Poland have been at the forefront of this rapid expansion which accelerated after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.Renewable energy sources have become even more important as the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupts energy supplies coming through the Strait of Hormuz.But the success of Europe's solar power depends on how fast governments upgrade and invest in infrastructure.Can the EU successfully transition to solar and could it be the energy source which helps combat further energy shocks?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Osman ZenginLecturer in Energy Law and Policy at University of East LondonChris AylettResearch Fellow in the Environment and Society Centre at Chatham HousePatrizio DonatiFounder of TerrawattFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

Missed flights and delays at borders, the EU's new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) has caused travellers big issues at some European airports as they struggle toThe EU rejected calls from airports and airlines to temporarily suspend the system, insisting the technology is working as intended despite cases of delays.The new digital border entry applies to non-EU citizens requiring them to have their fingerprints scanned and photograph taken when entering the Schengen area.So what will be the impact for travellers heading to Europe this summer?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Simon CalderTravel JournalistMarta GrandeFormer Member of the Italian ParliamentTom JenkinsChief Executive of the European Tourism AssociationFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

Reform UK's Nigel Farage will compete against a record 33 candidates in the Clacton by-election in August in a political gamble for the politician after he resigned as an MP amid controversy over his finances.Farage is facing an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over an undeclared £5 million gift from a crypto investor. The Reform UK leader is also facing scrutiny over his professional relationship with George Cottrell, a man convicted and imprisoned over fraud charges in 2017.Farage denies any wrongdoing and is now seeking to regain support from his former constituents in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.But his main competition will not be representatives from the UK’s major parties, who have boycotted the election, it will come from a satirical candidate, the self-described “intergalactic space warrior”, Count Binface.Farage has taken a massive gamble, will his ambitions of political leadership be thwarted by a man in a costume?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Cindy YuColumnist at The Sunday TimesScarlett MccGwireFormer Labour Party AdviserCharlie RowleyFormer UK Government AdviserFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

Kurt Volker, former US Special Representative for Ukraine, talks exclusively to TRT World's Roundtable about his decades of experience in US diplomacy, from the war in Ukraine to conflict in the Middle East.The former US diplomat gives his insights into Trump's relationship with President Putin, saying he has finally realised the Russian leader has been lying to him and Putin will continue the war in Ukraine until "money and manpower runs out".Volker also reflects on President Trump’s legacy, highlighting him as the initial driving force behind European nations increasing their NATO contributions which is a critical step in strengthening Europe against Russia.Having also served under George W Bush, Volker points out that the most significant difference between two presidents is that Trump acts with his “gut feelings”.Follow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

Deadly wildfires have sparked by the extreme heat, dry ground and strong winds have been spreading across Europe as it bakes in hot weather.Thousands have been evacuated from France's south-western coast due to blazes while Spain has been battling wildfires close to Madrid while more than a dozen died recently in the southeastern province of Almeria.What is causing the risk of wildfires to increase, how can they be managed - and how much are humans to blame?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Alessio GhirlandaReporter from The Olive PressJim DaleFounder and Senior Meteorological Consultant at British Weather ServicesJuan PicosForest fire scientist at the University of Vigo.Beatrice MoselloSenior Research Fellow in the Environment and Society Centre at Chatham HouseFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

The UK’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham is promising to ‘bring back hope’ to the country. He is the seventh person to hold the office since 2016, taking over from Keir Starmer.Burnham has pledged to oversee the biggest changes in the UK for four decades and bring back political stability.He has assembled a cabinet of trusted allies, appointing John Healey as Chancellor, Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary and retaining Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary.His government has unveiled ambitious plans to ease the cost of living crisis, including removing VAT from electricity bills from October and plans for bus fares across England to be capped at 2 pounds.But what change can Burnham really bring to succeed where so many recent prime ministers have struggled?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Mark LittlewoodDirector of Popular ConservatismSebastian SalekFormer Labour councillor and political journalistMadeline GrantAssistant Editor at the SpectatorFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

The close friendship between President Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has turned into a bitter war of words.Despite sharing a warm moment on camera at the G7 Summit in France, days later Trump told Italian TV that Meloni had "begged" him for a photo.The Italian PM quickly fired back on social media with a defiant message: "ITALY AND I NEVER BEG!”After months of disagreements over the US-Israeli war on Iran, how will this latest public feud impact ties between US and Italy? And could there be an alternative agenda behind Meloni's tough stance towards Trump, her right-wing transatlantic ally?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Ylenja LucaselliItalian PoliticianCecilia Emma SottilottaAssociate Professor of Political ScienceSteve GillFormer Adviser to Bill Clinton and George H W BushFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen will run for President in France’s 2027 election after an appeals court shortened her ban from public office.Le Pen, who transformed the National Rally into one of France's most popular parties, was convicted for embezzling European Parliament funds.She has vowed to fight her conviction at France's top civil court. With opinion polls placing the National Rally well ahead of rivals, the race is now as much a legal battle as a political one.But does Marine Le Pen really have a chance of becoming France’s next President - and what will happen to her sidekick, President of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Philippe MarliereProfessor of French and European Politics at University College LondonRaphael LiogierSociologist and PhilosopherNabila RamdaniJournalist and AuthorFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld