Podcast Selection

The European Council’s paradigm shift on migration

The high-stakes European Council summit concluded on Thursday, with migration policy dominating the agenda. For the first time, leaders discussed so-called "return hubs" — centres in third countries where migrants within the EU, whose asylum…

Migration concerns take centre stage at European Council summit

EU migration policy is back and here to stay. It will be at the forefront of the European Council summit today (17 October) as tougher measures against irregular immigration have gained momentum. But common goals do not equal…

Has the EU underestimated its relationship with Gulf countries?

EU and Gulf leaders are meeting on Wednesday (16 October) in Brussels in a first-ever summit between the two regions. Co-chaired by outgoing European Council President Charles Michel and Qatar’s Emir H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin…

Outsourcing migrants in Europe: Troubling choice or the new norm?

In this episode, Radio Schuman explores Italy's migration centres in Albania and the trend of externalising migration. Is outsourcing migration management the new trend in Europe? In this episode, Radio Schuman examines the external dimension…

EU foreign ministers to address Ukraine and Middle East crises amid escalation

EU foreign ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today (14 October) to discuss urgent matters, including Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine and the volatile situation in the Middle East, following recent escalation in Lebanon and northern…

MEP scrutiny of conflict of interest for Commissioners-designate: A democratic tool or a scam?

Since European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced her proposals for the new batch of European Commissioners, the legal affairs committee, also known as JURI, has been in charge of examining each candidate's conflict of…

The future of the EU budget behind the leak

The long-term EU budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), may soon see structural reforms. A leaked document from this week hints at the merger of various funds, the introduction of conditionality measures, and…

Orbán’s main foe Péter Magyar talks corruption, Ukraine and battle against the government

"Building a new country step by step, brick by brick, and to bring back our country and to build a new European, peaceful and liveable modern Hungary. That's our motto, and that's our plan," Hungary's…

Orbán’s relations with Brussels at boiling point

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a tense exchange at the Strasbourg plenary on 9 October, after Orbán outlined his country's EU Council Presidency initiatives. Orbán stressed…

EU ministers’ not-so-subtle rightward shift on migration

Thursday’s Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting has laid bare the stark shift in EU member states' approach to migration, as right-wing politics gain ground across the bloc. While ministers are due to discuss issues…

The EU has lost its patience with Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán. So, now what?

Halfway through its six-month rotating presidency, rather than playing the honest broker, Budapest has blocked many files, including the ones on aid to Ukraine. It further blocked a statement denouncing Moscow's media ban, and it…

European countries change course over their military support to Israel

One year into the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, European countries remain divided over their military support for Israel. Despite international efforts to broker peace, arms exports have continued to play a critical role…