The Europeans | European news, politics and culture

This year’s Budapest Pride was banned in March under the Orbán government’s contentious “child protection” law. Demonstrators were threatened with hefty fines for participating, and the government said it would employ facial-recognition technology to identify and potentially prosecute those who turned out to take part at the march on 28 June. Did the ban work? Not in the slightest. In fact, more people than ever in the 30-year history of Budapest Pride showed up to celebrate their rights as LGBTQ+ human beings.  The massive Pride march brought a glimmer of hope to some Hungarian citizens, including this week’s guest, writer Krisztián Marton. We spoke with Krisztián about the lead-up to the event, the thrill of being on the ground last Saturday, and what might be next for Hungary, now that Viktor Orbán finally has a formidable challenger in Péter Magyar. We also chatted with Dominic’s husband, Thomas Lamers, a philosopher and dramaturg who hit the streets for us, mic in hand. (Thanks, Thomas, we owe you!) Krisztián Marton is a screenwriter and novelist. You can follow him on Instagram here and read an excerpt in English of his Margó Prize-nominated novel Crybaby here. You can donate to Thomas’s fundraiser to pay some of the fines that may be incurred by Pride attendees here.  This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not do it without you. If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies!), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number. This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: the recent episode of Zakia Sewell’s Radio 6 series Dream Time, “Solstice selections…with Zakia,” and the Ukrainian band The Sixsters, winners of the European Emerging Bands Contest. 00:00:46 A sweltering hello and a tick PSA 00:03:44 Bad Week: Venetians overrun by billionaire wedding 00:11:45 Good Week: Owners of Danish faces (and their copyrights) 00:21:13 Interview: Thomas Lamers on Budapest Pride and Krisztián Marton on the present and future for LGBTQ+ people in Hungary 00:49:57 The Inspiration Station: the BBC Radio 6 Dream Time episode “Solstice selections…with Zakia” and the Ukrainian band The Sixsters. 00:53:12 Happy Ending: Cannes caps cruise-ship tourism Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Depending on where you are in Europe, your right to a safe abortion — and reproductive care in general — can vary dramatically. This week, we speak to pioneering abortion activist Rebecca Gomperts about why she's hopeful that we can fight back against these inequalities as well as crackdowns on abortion access in other parts of the world. We're also talking about a rebel campaign in Germany to defeat a draconian Nazi-era law, and some disturbing research into the weedkillers used by many of the farmers who grow our foods.   Note: We updated this episode's audio on June 20, 2025. The original version incorrectly stated that glyphosate is sprayed directly on many European crops, which is not the case.   You can find out more about Women on Waves here and Women on Web here. Read about the mifepristone study here.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Secrets We Keep (Reservatet) and The Outlaw Ocean Podcast. Bonus entries: Vessel, a 2014 documentary about Women on Waves; A Sense of Quietness, Eleanor McDowall's audio documentary about abortion in Ireland; and Tending Grief by Camille Sapara Barton. Other resources for this episode:   'Carcinogenic effects of long-term exposure from prenatal life to glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides in Sprague–Dawley rats' - Environmental Health, June 10, 2025   'Revealed: Monsanto’s secret funding for weedkiller studies' - The Guardian, March 12, 2020   'Europe likely to miss most green targets for 2030' - Politico Europe, February 20, 2025   'EWG’s 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce' (USA) - Environmental Working Group, June 11, 2025   'Here’s why some people still evade public transport fares – even when they’re 50 cents' - The Conversation, February 13, 2025   00:00:46  Is it a Smörgåsbord? Is it a charcuterie board? No, it's The Europeans 00:04:56  Bad Week: Glyphosate 00:21:41  Good Week: Germany's freed fare-dodgers 00:35:22  Interview: Rebecca Gomperts on the state of reproductive rights in Europe 01:01:46  The Inspiration Station: Secrets We Keep and The Outlaw Ocean Podcast 01:07:10  Happy Ending: Beavers are back in Portugal   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

The EU supposedly has some of the world's toughest laws regulating big tech. So why does it still feel like Europeans are being sucked into increasingly polarised online communities, and manipulated during our elections? Can we do anything about it? This week's guest, the Irish internet campaigner Johnny Ryan, argues that a pretty radical solution is within the EU's reach. We're also talking about the Dutch government's collapse, and why bear meat may soon be on the menu in Slovakia.    Johnny is the Director of Enforce. You can follow him on Bluesky here and read his article calling on the EU to switch off social media's algorithms here in The Guardian. A longer version of our interview with Johnny is available on our YouTube channel.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Last One Laughing UK, LOL: Qui rit, sort, and 'The Mars House' by Natasha Pulley. Bonus: our interview in February with Jean Chalaby about the international TV format trade. Other resources for this episode: 'Bears stray into political territory in Romania and Slovakia' - BalkanInsight, April 21, 2025 00:00:46  People, politics and peculiarities 00:02:45  Good Week: Dutch leftwing and centrist parties? 00:22:01  Bad Week: Bear meat on the menu in Slovakia 00:36:43  Interview: Johnny Ryan on why Europe's supposedly tough tech regulation isn't nearly tough enough 00:55:53  The Inspiration Station: Last One Laughing UK, Qui rit sort and 'The Mars House' by Natasha Pulley 01:00:52  Happy Ending: A condom masterpiece Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Serbia is at a pivotal moment as protests erupt over corruption and governmental accountability. The tragic railway collapse has ignited a nationwide resistance, fueled by student activism and calls for change. Personal stories reveal the challenges of life in Serbia, shaped by history and societal turmoil. The contentious Belgrade Waterfront project adds to the unrest, showcasing widespread dissatisfaction. Amidst this backdrop, the complex emotions tied to Serbian identity are explored, blending hope for a better future with deep-rooted frustrations.

Ursula Heinzelmann, a renowned German food writer and author of 'Beyond Bratwurst,' joins the discussion. She delves into the fascinating world of 'Spargelzeit,' highlighting Germany's love affair with asparagus, dubbed 'white gold.' The conversation also tackles pressing LGBTQ rights issues, examining recent legal victories in Italy alongside Hungary's alarming threats to civil society and expression. Ursula's culinary insights blend seamlessly with serious human rights topics, making for a rich and engaging dialogue.

Codruța Simina, a Romanian journalist and expert on misinformation, joins the discussion to unpack the tumultuous recent elections in Romania. She explores the impact of online disinformation on voter behavior and the surprising political shifts, including far-right candidates' rise and fall. The conversation also dives into the controversies surrounding Israel's participation in Eurovision and the ongoing call for transparency in Pfizer vaccine negotiations. With her keen insights, Codruța sheds light on the interplay between politics and digital culture in Europe.

Başak Layic, a talented storyteller from Istanbul now based in Amsterdam, sheds light on the European Dream from a fresh perspective. She shares a poignant tale of love and disillusionment, framed around a Turkish boy's infatuation with a girl named Europe. The conversation navigates her bureaucratic struggles and unique project using old refugee boats for storytelling. Layic emphasizes the importance of authentic narratives in reshaping the migrant experience, advocating for a more compassionate understanding of identity and migration in Europe.

In theory, the government's guy looks set to win Poland's presidential election, making life a hell of a lot easier for Donald Tusk as he attempts to undo eight years of destructive authoritarian rule under the previous rightwing populists. But might a pregnant nun swoop in and change everything at the last minute? For an explanation of this metaphor (and yes, it is just a metaphor), listen in to this week's great interview with Poland's best political YouTubers, Dominika Sitnicka and Agata Szczęśniak. We're also digging into Sweden's plans to crack down on porn influencers, and celebrating the sweeter side of last week's mass blackouts in Spain and Portugal.    Dominika and Agata are reporters at OKO.PRESS and co-hosts of its YouTube show, Program Polityczny (which can be watched with English auto-subtitles).   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' (especially the Ankh-Morpork City Watch series), and Carême. Bonus recommendations: 'The Butterfly Effect' and 'The Last Days of August'.   We'll be at two events in Amsterdam for Europe Day on May 9! You can buy a ticket to EuropaNacht at Paradiso here; tickets to the earlier event, at SPUI25, are available here. With many thanks to our friends at the European Cultural Foundation, DutchCulture and De Kiesmannen.   Other resources for this episode:    'In the Madrid power cuts, I saw patience and common sense – but we were woefully unprepared' - María Ramírez, The Guardian, April 29, 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/29/madrid-power-cuts-blackout-radio-internet    'In case of crisis or war' - Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), November 2024 https://rib.msb.se/filer/pdf/30874.pdf   'The EU Commission's survival kits - fearmongering or necessary preparedness?' - Euronews, April 2, 2025 https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/02/the-eu-commissions-survival-kits-fearmongering-or-necessary-preparedness   00:00:46 Smoke, bureaucracy and extra outfits: get ready for May in Europe 00:03:51 Good Week: Blackout behaviour 00:22:22 Bad Week: OnlyFans influencers in Sweden 00:38:20 Interview: Dominika Sitnicka and Agata Szczęśniak on Poland's upcoming presidential election 01:03:14 The Inspiration Station: Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' and Carême 01:07:51 Happy Ending: An off-the-pitch win for Norway's women's team   Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne    YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Timothy Garton Ash, a renowned Professor of European Studies at the University of Oxford, engages in a captivating conversation about Europe's turbulent position in today's world. He explores the implications of Trumpism on the continent and the threats posed by autocrats like Viktor Orbán. The discussion emphasizes the historical knowledge gap among younger generations and the urgent need for a unified European response to both internal and external pressures, underlining the transformative events shaping Europe's identity.

We've got a veritable smörgåsbord for you this week on The Europeans, from human rights in Hungary to the sorry tale of two Danish sustainability influencers whose eco-resort business went spectacularly wrong. We discuss why Viktor Orbán is concentrating so much effort on bullying the LGBTQI community at a time when Hungary has major problems to fix, and whether anything can be done to stop him. Plus, Daria Verbytska calls in from Kyiv to explain how an army of volunteer online sleuths helps Ukrainian authorities use open-source intelligence to fight back against Russia.   Daria is the executive director and cofounder of the Molfar Intelligence Institute. You can find out about the wider Molfar company on their website and read their investigations here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: LA NIÑA and Den stora älgvandringen ('The Great Moose Migration' on Sweden's STV).   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!        This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   Other resources for this episode   'Hungary's ban on Pride has little to do with being gay' - BalkanInsight, March 27, 2025 https://balkaninsight.com/2025/03/27/hungarys-ban-on-pride-has-little-to-do-with-being-gay/   'Anti-spying phone pouches offered to EU lawmakers for trip to Hungary' - Politico Europe, April 16, 2025 https://www.politico.eu/article/lawmakers-offered-anti-espionage-phone-pouches-in-hungary/   00:00:46  Welcome to Europe, land of toxic eggs and tomatoes 00:06:50  Bad Week: Hungary gives constitutional backing to its Pride ban 00:22:59  Good Week (?) for Guatemala-bound tourists 00:44:51  Interview: Daria Verbytska on how OSINT is being used to help Ukraine's fightback against Russia 00:59:55  The Inspiration Station:  LA NIÑA and Den stora älgvandringen ('The Great Moose Migration') 01:03:07  Happy Ending: The amazing cross-border teenagers tackling antibiotic resistance   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com