The Ring

Dez dias após a segunda volta das presidenciais, o cenário político em Portugal continua em análise. António José Seguro venceu de forma clara André Ventura, travando a chegada da extrema-direita à Presidência da República — mas as questões de fundo permanecem.Foi esta uma reafirmação dos valores democráticos ou uma coligação tática para conter o populismo? E o que revela este resultado sobre um país sob pressão social, com uma crise na habitação, tensões económicas e crescente fragmentação política?Esta semana, no The Ring, gravado na Nova School of Business and Economics, discutimos o que estas eleições significam para a estabilidade interna de Portugal e para o equilíbrio político europeu.Mariana Corrêa recebe Carlos Coelho, antigo eurodeputado do Partido Popular Europeu, e André Franqueira Rodrigues, eurodeputado do Grupo dos Socialistas & Democratas, para um debate direto sobre se Portugal conseguiu conter a extrema-direita — ou apenas adiou um confronto mais profundo.Com a Europa atenta, fica a pergunta: este resultado reforça a posição de Portugal em Bruxelas ou expõe fraturas que vão além de uma vitória eleitoral clara?

From parliamentary debates to cultural moments that spotlight identity and belonging, migration is not just about policy — it’s about who belongs, who decides, and what kind of Europe is taking shape. This week on The Ring, we look beyond technical language and legal definitions to ask a broader question: can Europe reconcile national migration choices with collective responsibility? The European Parliament is discussing the “safe third country” concept and the creation of an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin. At the same time, Spain has approved a large-scale regularisation plan granting legal status to thousands of migrants. MEPs Juan Fernando López Aguilar (Socialists and Democrats) and Tomas Tobé (European People’s Party) clash in a heated debate on one defining question: can the EU balance effective migration management with fundamental rights, or will political divisions once again shape Europe’s path forward?

How far should the EU go to protect children online? Should there be EU-wide age limits, stricter rules for social media platforms, and bans on addictive design features like infinite scrolling? Or does Brussels risk overreach — infringing on national competences and limiting children’s digital rights and freedoms?This week on The Ring, we turn to one of the most sensitive questions facing the EU’s digital agenda: as platforms and algorithms shape children’s education and social life, the debate goes far beyond screen time. It’s about what kind of digital Europe we are building for the next generation.To unpack different visions, we’re joined by Christel Schaldemose of the Socialists and Democrats and Axel Voss of the European People’s Party. Two different approaches, one central question: can Brussels set common standards that both protect and empower Europe’s children — or will political divisions prevent the EU from taking decisive action?

What are the pros and cons of the EU-Mercosur trade deal? Why did the European Parliament send the text to the Court of Justice for clarification? Why did the EU sign an EU-India trade deal this week, and how will it impact you? This week on The Ring, we turn to the future of European trade policy as economics and geopolitics become impossible to separate. With the US an increasingly unreliable partner and China an ever more dominant competitor, trade is no longer just about growth — it’s about security and influence. As Brussels pushes ahead with negotiations with India, revives the Mercosur agreement, and deepens ties with Indo-Pacific partners, a fundamental divide is opening inside the EU. We are joined by MEPs Ciaran Mullooly of Renew Europe and Jörgen Warborn of the European People’s Party. Two opposing visions of EU trade policy raise a central question: Can Europe shape global trade on its own terms — or is it destined to react to decisions made elsewhere?

Will Europe stay silent in the face of Trump's ambitions in Greenland? Is the NATO alliance at risk? This week on The Ring, we focus on Europe’s role in a rapidly fragmenting global order. As international law is increasingly ignored—from Venezuela and Ukraine to Greenland and Iran—the European Union stays divided, reactive and overly cautious on the world stage.We are joined by MEP Henrik Dahl of the European People’s Party and MEP Lina Gálvez of the Socialists & Democrats. Two sharply opposing views on Europe’s global role raise one crucial question: Should the EU uphold international law at all costs—or adapt to a new power-based reality?

This week The Ring turns to Europe’s migration debate, as the EU moves toward tougher deportation rules and explores controversial “return hubs” for rejected asylum-seekers outside the Union. To debate the future of EU migration policy, we are joined by MEP Charlie Weimers, from the Conservatives and Reformists, and MEP Li Andersson, from the Left group. Two sharply opposing visions—one crucial European question:With the new Migration and Asylum Pact not entering into force before 2026, are these latest measures a necessary response to security concerns—or a step toward a “Fortress Europe”?As irregular crossings remain deadly and far-right pressure grows across member states, the European Parliament now faces a decisive choice: double down on stricter border controls or reaffirm Europe’s commitment to human rights and international law.