Euphoria

Dive into the drama of the EU's political landscape as co-hosts dissect the high-stakes hearings for proposed European Commissioners. What does the vetting process look like? Will the Green Deal see significant changes with new leadership? Tune in for insights on democratic oversight, the evolution of parliamentary hearings, and the challenges of candidate screening, including transparency issues. Get ready for a mix of insider information and sharp critiques that illuminate the complexities of EU governance!

Arianna and Fede dive into the fallout from the recent European Parliament elections, revealing shifts in political dynamics and composition. Gender representation drops to concerning levels, with only 5% of members reflecting diverse backgrounds. They discuss the generational challenges younger candidates face, as well as the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen and upcoming commissioner hearings. The balance of power seems to be tilting, with far-right groups gaining traction. It’s a complex landscape setting the stage for exciting European policymaking!

Recent European elections revealed surprising trends, including a notable rise in the Italian Greens and shifting voter turnout across member states. The hosts dissected the implications of these changes, particularly the evolving dynamics in Parliament and the upcoming challenges for the European Commission. They also shared personal voting experiences from abroad, emphasizing the importance of engaging youth in the electoral process. Political turbulence in France and the far-right's influence in Germany added layers of complexity to an already tense political landscape.

Jaume Duch Guillot, the Spokesman and Director General for Communication at the European Parliament, shares insights on the immense task of coordinating the election campaign across 27 Member States. He discusses innovative strategies to boost youth engagement, including a viral video designed to inspire responsibility in voting. The conversation sheds light on the challenges facing the EU, from COVID vaccination campaigns to the evolving role of European citizenship, and emphasizes the importance of clear communication in rallying citizens for democracy.

Karl Lavò, a Policy and Communication Officer at Gamian Europe, discusses the alarming neglect of mental health in European politics, especially post-Covid-19. He emphasizes the absence of mental health considerations in campaign manifestos and the urgency of integrating these issues into political dialogues. The conversation highlights the pressing mental health challenges facing youth and the need for comprehensive EU policies. Lavò also advocates for grassroots initiatives to ensure mental health gains a pivotal role in the upcoming European Parliament elections.

Eddy Wax, a seasoned Politico reporter specializing in EU institutions, shares his insights on the upcoming European elections. He dives into the behind-the-scenes of reporting, discussing the challenges of disinformation and the responsibilities journalists face. Eddy highlights the importance of accurate media portrayals to combat misinformation and the dangers of oversimplifying complex electoral narratives. The conversation also touches on the influence of campaign posters, showcasing how they shape public perception and reflect the political landscape across Europe.

In this episode Arianna and Federico talk us through the numbers of youth participation in politics from the heart of the European Parliament. In a context where each Member State can set its own rules for the European Parliament elections there can be a lot of confusion regarding what age you can start to vote or be a candidate. But one thing is for sure, young people are not disengaged from activism. We also talk to María Rodríguez Alcázar, the President of the European Youth Forum about challenges to youth participation in the upcoming elections. Music: Gleb Ragalevich

In this episode Arianna and Federico talk us through the current state of gender inequality in the EU. They present data on which countries are seeing progress in their gender representations and which ones are still lagging behind. Then Aimee Duprat-Macabies from the Brussels Binder joins us to talk about their important work in ensuring gender representation at important events as well as her vision for a more balanced future. Music: Gleb Ragalevich

In this episode, Federico and Arianna talk us through the history of the EU's enlargement as well as the ins and outs of this complicated process. Then,Liza Bezvershenko, from Promote Ukraine will talk us through her country's long history with the EU and its ongoing accession procedures. Music: Gleb Ragalevich

In this episode, Federico and Arianna talk us through the legitimacy question of the European Parliament elections. Can we consider them truly European if they are actually 27 national elections, each with their own rules? They also tell us about some possible reforms proposed by the Parliament that were not approved in time for the 2024 elections and the challenges that some communities face to both get to the polls and be elected. Music: Gleb Ragalevich