Radio Schuman

On Saturday, Michel Barnier, France's newly appointed prime minister and former EU Brexit negotiator, unveiled his government, which is dominated by conservatives and centrists from French president Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party.Among the most contentious appointments is Bruno Retailleau as interior minister, a staunch conservative who has consistently opposed same-sex marriage and voted against enshrining abortion rights in the French constitution.Barnier faced the challenging task of assembling this cabinet in the wake of elections that left the French National Assembly without a clear majority.What would such a government mean for Brussels?Today Radio Schuman answer this question with Euronews's French reporter in Brussels Gregoire Lory.A quick overview of today's Brussels agenda, highlighting the main appointments not to miss.In the last part of the show, we talk about new restrictions Instagram has put in place to protect minors.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is EU policy on equality going to take a backseat in the upcoming mandate of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen?Back in 2019, von der Leyen named Malta's Helena Dalli the EU's Commissioner in charge of equality. But last week, when she announced her proposal for the new team of European Commissioners, von der Leyen ditched the equality portfolio, combining it instead with "preparedness and crisis management".Many NGOs defending women's rights reacted to what they saw as von der Leyen's worrying lack of consideration for the issue at a time when far-right parties — which oppose the idea that gender issues are crucial — are entering the government all over Europe.What happened to the equality portfolio? What should we expect from the EU Commission on this issue?Today, Radio Schuman talks about the subject with MEP Lina Gálvez (Spain/S&D), who presides over the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, aka FEMM.We also offer a quick look at the agenda today, with von der Leyen's trip to Kyiv taking centre stage and particular paradoxes plaguing new Commissioner portfolios.On a different note, we end the show with an overview of the strongest passports in the world: how are Europeans performing?Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's decision to assign the migration and home affairs portfolio to Austrian nominee Magnus Brunner was one of her most unexpected choices when deciding on the portfolios for her new College.Vienna's recent tougher stance on EU migration policy, as well as Brunner's own background, sprung to the fore.Austria was behind a long-standing veto against Bulgaria and Romania's entry into the Schengen Area, and Vienna also voted against and abstained from some key laws in the migration pact passed at the end of the previous mandate.Furthermore, Brunner, a former finance minister, has no significant experience or track record in migration policy.Today, Radio Schuman spoke with Spanish Socialist MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar, who was the rapporteur for the legislative file — the Crisis Management Regulation — that Austria opposed.We also bring you a brief overview of the agenda for today, including an important meeting between the Commissioner in charge of trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, and China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles are expected to be the main topic of conversation.And finally, are you a non-smoker who is bothered by others smoking or vaping around you?In that case, there's good news from Brussels: the European Commission has recommended that EU countries ban outdoor smoking in places like café and restaurant terraces, bus stops and zoos. Will member states adopt these guidelines, or will they still allow people to light one up?Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Parliament in Strasbourg was again divided — this time, it was the MEPs' opinions that were split after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced her new batch of Commissioners.Radio Schuman gathered different reactions from the MEPs Peter Liese, Christel Schaldemose, Moritz Körner, and Sergey Lagodinsky on the entire affair, including the fitness of individual Commissioners for their new tasks, big jobs that went to Eastern European and Baltic countries and the meme-inspiring animal welfare portfolio that went to a certain Olivér Várhelyi.We also bring you a brief overview of the key issues set to dominate Wednesday's plenary session in Strasbourg, along with a timeline outlining the European Parliament's scrutiny and approval process for the newly announced Commissioner nominees.Finally, we explore Europe's best and worst metro systems — spoiler alert: Brussels did not perform very well.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thierry Breton's surprisingly public last-minute resignation as France's European Commission nominee was the talk of the town on Monday.While Paris quickly replaced the outgoing Commissioner with former MEP and Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Séjourné, Breton's final salvo aimed at Commission President Ursula von der Leyen further made sure her new mandate was off to a rocky start.Will von der Leyen weather the storm, and is she really as opposed to critical voices among her Commissioners as Breton insinuated?Today, Radio Schuman asks Elvire Fabry, a senior researcher at the Institut Jacques Delors, to comment on the Commission's fiery start to the week.We also glance at the agenda for today's Parliament's Strasburg plenary session. Notably, a few last-minute changes occurred, with floods preventing Hungary's Prime MInister Viktor Orbán from making an appearance.On a lighter note, we'll tell you which country in Europe has the best work-sleep balance and why.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in July, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that she would appoint a Commissioner for housing and launch the union's first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan. The announcement was part of a favour made to the European Parliament's centre-left S&D group, which had asked the Commission to include the lack of affordable housing and the rising cost of living as one of its top priorities. But what does the job of housing Commissioner consist of? And how can the EU really act on an issue often seen as a matter of national policy? Today, Radio Schuman answers these questions with David Rinaldi, the director of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies. We also take a quick look at this week’s Strasburg plenary session: what are the most important events not to miss? Hint: both Viktor Orbán and Mario Draghi are featured. On a different note, we explore how much is enough and what could make a good salary in Europe. Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The leader of the Slovene European People's Party (EPP) delegation in the Parliament, Romana Tomc, has told Euronews that the country's new Commissioner pick Marta Kos is "unacceptable".Slovenia's opposition, led by the conservative SDS party of former Prime Minister Janez Janša, has criticised liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob for yielding to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen by replacing male nominee Tomaž Vesel with Kos without proper consultation.As a result, SDS MP Franc Breznik, chair of the parliamentary committee responsible for confirming Kos, has refused to schedule a confirmation hearing until he receives von der Leyen's letter requesting Vesel's withdrawal.Today Radio Schuman explored the issue with Euronews editor Aleksandar Brezar.We take a snapshot of the ongoing Budapest-Brussels standoff. Hungary is expected to tell the European Commission today whether it has implemented new measures to stop the unlawful treatment of asylum seekers. Will Hungary comply or continue to defy the EU?On a different note, Radio Schuman explores how the pandemic lockdown badly impacted teenagers' brain development.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast dives into the alarming €295 million budget cut proposed for the Erasmus Plus program, sparking a heated debate among EU lawmakers. It emphasizes the vital need to protect this educational initiative that promotes student mobility and unity in Europe. The discussion also highlights mobilization efforts from student unions advocating for its preservation. Additionally, listeners learn about the EU Commission's nomination processes and Copenhagen's innovative strategies to enhance flood resilience against climate change.

What are the real reasons underlying European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen delaying announcing the portfolios for her executive?The official reason for the delay is that Slovenia has changed its nominee and the country’s parliament needs to ratify the new name. But the path to nominate commissioners is often turbulent, what else is afoot?Today Radio Schuman looks for answers with Euronews journalist Gerardo Fortuna.The German government's decision to reintroduce border controls at all its borders raises important questions about the future of the Schengen area. Is the restriction of free movement becoming the new normal in Europe? We also examine the European Commission's response.On a different note, did you know that overexposure to fitness videos promoting idealised, super-fit bodies can be harmful to teens? YouTube is introducing new rules to protect young users.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A key and controversial recommendation of former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi's competitiveness report was for Europe to have recourse to common debt instruments to keep the pace with competitors such as the US and China.But what happens when Draghi's recommendations come face to face with political reality in the EU?My colleague Vincenzo Genovese found out from Guntram Wolff, from the Brussels-based European economic think tank Bruegel.We make a brief overview of the two major court judgments cases due today involving Apple and Google: will the final rulings alter how the EU handles state aid cases (in the Apple case) and shape competition in the digital market (in the Google case)?On a lighter note, have you heard about the latest trend in tourism, the sleepcation?Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.