Romania has never been pro-Russian and politicians backed by Russia rarely present themselves as such, Romanian centre-right MEP Siegfried Muresan told Radio Schuman in today's episode.Muresan said this applied to Calin Georgescu, the little-known far-right populist and TikTok personality who unexpectedly won the first round of Romania's presidential election, adding that he had put forth an ''anti-European stance, seeking to undermine Europe, its values, and the rule of law."Georgescu was projected to secure less than 10% of the vote. He will now face liberal candidate Elena Lasconi in a December 8 run-off—unless Romania’s criminal court intervenes to annul the second round of elections.This election outcome highlights a broader regional trend, with Romania potentially joining countries like Georgia and Moldova in pivotal political battles between democratic, pro-Western values and nationalist, pro-Moscow forces. The stakes are particularly high for Romania, an EU member that shares a border with Ukraine and serves as a key NATO military base.Questions remain about Georgescu’s unexpected success, Romania’s ties to Russia, and how pro-EU forces in Bucharest and Brussels plan to counter his rise if the runoff proceeds.In the second segment of this program, we take a brief look at the latest polls for today's Irish election.Radio Schuman also explores the underlying causes of mental health conditions among workers in certain European countries.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron, Georgios Leivaditis and Brodheim, David. Music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newly elected European Commissioner Teresa Ribera criticised the public outcry she received from the European People's Party, which almost brought down her candidacy for the position as executive vice-president for the Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, speaking to Radio Schuman in Strasbourg.She lamented domestic politics being infused into the EU debate and criticised climate deniers among the centre-right European People's Party (EPP).Yesterday, EPP leaders, including chair Manfred Weber, refused to applaud Ribera when European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen congratulated her in plenary in Strasbourg. This gesture was the culmination of a campaign led by the Spanish Partido Popular (PP) aimed at undermining Ribera, who until recently served as Spain’s Minister for Ecological Transition and was responsible for responding to the recent floods in Valencia. Ribera defended herself, stating that the regional government—controlled by the PP in Valencia—was responsible for managing disasters.Eventually, von der Leyen received final approval for her new Commission, which will begin its five-year legislative term on December 1st.However, with 370 votes in favour, this marked the narrowest majority in history for a new Commission. The outcome reflects a deeply fragmented European Parliament, which grants the leading EPP even greater flexibility in forming shifting alliances—either with the traditional socialist-liberal bloc, or with the right-wing European and Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR) and the far-right Patriots for Europe (PfE).Following the vote on Wednesday, there were clear concerns among socialists, greens, and other left-wing parties. They feared that the EPP had legitimised the far-right, particularly with von der Leyen's decision to appoint a far-right commissioner, Raffaele Fitto, for the first time in its history. There were also worries that a right-wing coalition could paralyse or derail critical legislation, such as the Green Deal or migration reforms.Besides Ribera, Radio Schuman today featured criticism from other MEPs, such as Marie Toussaint, a French Green MEP, who called the new von der Leyen's team as the “worst-elected Commission”.In the second segment of the podcast, we take a quick look at the Competitiveness Council meeting happening today, where EU ministers are expected to approve conclusions on a crucial topic. Guess what that might be?Radio Schuman wraps up with a ranking of countries most prepared to go cashless - spoiler alert: the top contenders are chilly climes!Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron, Georgios Leivaditis and David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Financial sanctions remain the EU's best tool for combatting rule-of-law abuses, the outgoing European justice commissioner told Euronews' Shona Murray in an exclusive interview we feature on Radio Schuman today.Věra Jourová acknowledged that while court proceedings take time, financial sanctions have proven to be the most effective mechanism based on her experience.In Brussels, Jourová is known for her sharp tongue and has played a prominent role in the EU’s efforts to uphold media freedom and address rule-of-law violations.When Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called for her resignation over the measures applied against Hungary, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen 'stood firmly behind' her, the outgoing commissioner said.On the second segment of this podcast, we look at the Mercosur vote at the French parliament today and why the French government opposed the trade deal, which is about to be finalised.In the last part of the show, Radio Schuman look at the best AI start-ups in Europe - spoiler alert: the country where they are sited in Europe is a very small one.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The chair of the European Parliament's committee of trade tells Radio Schuman how the EU can counter Donald Trump's trade tariffs today.While there’s concern in Brussels about Trump’s call to slap tariffs on EU goods of at least 10 percent, officials have been scratching their heads on how to handle Trump. Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed to replace Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports with those from the US.Socialist MEP Bernd Lange told us how the EU could strike back on Trump’s tariffs, drawing on the experience of the former US president's first mandate in 2018.Lange also shared his concerns about Trump’s nomination of Howard Lutnik as the US’s future commerce secretaryIn the second segment of the podcast, we offer a quick overview at the most important votes of the upcoming plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.In the last part of the show, Radio Schuman reveals the greatest fear of parents when their children go online.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why has the EU deforestation law become so politicised and what role is Germany is playing? Julia Christian, forests and agriculture campaigner at the Brussels-based NGO Fern, tells Radio Schuman today the centre-right German CDU party - a European People's Party (EPP) member - is seeking to disrupt the implementation of the EU deforestation law as national elections approach, aiming to gain votes.The EU Deforestation law aims to combat global deforestation by imposing due diligence obligations on traders importing raw materials such as beef, cocoa, coffee, and soy into the EU.The legislation is supposed to take effect on December 30, 2024, for large enterprises, and mid-2025 for small and micro-enterprises. In October, the European Commission proposed a delay of 12 months, which EU diplomats immediately backed.However, the European Parliament proposed further amendments, pushed by the EPP, the substance of which are being resisted by EU diplomats.The three EU institutions will now start negotiations and - until they agree - the original deadline remains.In the second segment of this podcast, we provided a quick overview of the contenders in Romania's presidential election.In the final part of the show, Radio Schuman explains why it is so difficult for people who have lost weight to keep it off, according to a new study published in Nature magazine.Today's Radio Schuman is hosted by Sasha Vakulina and produced by the journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques. Audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron, Music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Radio Schuman questions whether the EU adopt outgoing US president Joe Biden's approach towards Ukraine regarding the supply of weaponry, together with Euronews's Sasha Vakulina.On Tuesday, Ukraine reportedly employed six US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike targets within Russian territory. These long-range missiles, with a range of approximately 190 miles, had previously been restricted for use within Ukraine’s international borders.However, the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region prompted Biden to revise this policy.This shift marks a significant change in US military strategy. Should the European Union follow suit? The matter is particularly contentious in Europe, especially in Germany, where Chancellor Olaf Scholz has declined to supply Ukraine with Germany’s Taurus long-range missiles, citing concerns over potential war escalation and domestic political considerations, including his re-election prospects.In the second block, we take a quick look at the latest development of deforestation law and the EU trade Council on today's agenda - spoiler alert: trade ministers will discuss the US.In the final part of the show, Radio Schuman explores lesser-known European villages to visit as alternatives to mass tourism destinations.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moldova applied to join the EU in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the country has set 2030 as a target to join the bloc.But it is is deeply divided between its pro-EU aspirations, and the temptation to side with Russia, which has supported Moldova’s Transnistria since the eastern region declared its independence 30 years ago.Earlier this month, Moldova's pro-Western incumbent president Maia Sandu won a second term in a race that was marred by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud and intimidation. The EU also held its breath when Moldovans voted in favor of EU membership by only a razor-thin majority of 50.35%.The country’s foreign affairs minister Mihai Popşoi was in Brussels this week for meetings with his European counterparts and MEPs to discuss progress along Moldova’s path to the EU.Euronews's Sergio Cantone had an interview with him, today featured in Radio Schuman.A quick overview at the agenda today, with pivotal events behind closed doors among political group presidents at the European Parliament.On the last part of the show, Radio Schuman looks at the best and the worst places in Europe to speak English.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the Foreign Affairs Council, EU member states showed little support for Josep Borrell's proposal to suspend political dialogue with Israel.Borrell aimed to force a clear stance on Israel’s actions and suggested banning imports from illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. However, suspending dialogue requires unanimous approval, highlighting existing divisions over the Israel-Hamas conflict.Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani dismissed the idea as nonsensical, while the Czech minister argued it would be ineffective. Meanwhile, countries like France focused on additional sanctions, either against Hamas or violent Jewish settlers.Why did Borrell make this proposal, and what is the status of EU sanctions against Israel?Today Radio Schuman answer these questions with Maria Luisa Frantappie, who heads the Mediterrean, Middle East and Africa program at the Italian think tank Istituto Affari Internazionali.A quick look at the agenda today, with potential tense discussion among EU defence ministers over Ukraine, Ukrainian president Vlodomir Zelenskyy addressing the European Parliament in Brussels and a European court case in Luxembourg against Hungarian anti-LGBTIQ+ law.In the last part of the show, Radio Schuman looks at which European country use plastic bags the most.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly taken by Russian authorities. So far, Kyiv has managed to bring back only around 1,000.Ukraine's Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, recently addressed the European Parliament to denounce this war crime. Many of these children have had their identities changed and are being enlisted into the Russian army. Moscow denies the accusations, with the president of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin even commending Russian Children’s Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for relocating 700,000 Ukrainian minors in what he termed a “humanitarian effort” to protect them.Radio Schuman interviewed Lubinets during his visit to Brussels, where he met with MEPs and ambassadors.A quick overview at the agenda today, with the EU ministers for foreign affairs gathering in Brussels and discussing particular hot topics. Guess which ones?On the last part of the show, Radio Schuman looks at the new holiday trend 'Coolcations'.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.