Afleveringen
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The European Parliament has wrapped up its final plenary session before the summer recess, and in this episode of EU Decoded, we break down the key decisions and debates.
This week, Parliament managed to move one step further toward the adoption of the crucial measure to tackle child sexual abuse online. However, the alliance of far right and the Greens will still result in further delays due to the amendments passed during the vote.
On other topics, the Parliament adopted stronger air passenger rights after years of negotiations, debated urgent measures to restore the competitiveness of Europe's automotive industry, and welcomed another important step on Ukraine and Moldova's path towards EU membership.
Tune in for the latest updates from Strasbourg and what they mean for Europe.
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What happens when journalists, politicians, and activists become targets of a foreign authoritarian regime? In this episode of “EU Decoded,” we explore Russia’s use of ‘blacklists’ and intimidation against European voices that support democracy, freedom and Ukraine. The discussion goes beyond individual cases and examines the broader challenge of foreign interference, hybrid threats and the need for Europe to strengthen its democratic resilience in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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The European Parliament has wrapped up another plenary week in Strasbourg, marked by major debates on trade, security, migration and the digital future.
In this episode of “EU Decoded”, we look at the EU-US Turnberry Deal, Europe's economic relationship with China, Russian provocations along the EU's borders, and new migration rules designed to improve the returns of those with no legal right to stay in the EU.
We also discuss the growing impact of social media on children, the recruitment of minors by organised crime networks, and efforts to simplify Europe's AI rules while maintaining strong safeguards.
Finally, the episode features the inspiring visit of Sakharov Prize laureate Andrzej Poczobut, whose story remains a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom, democracy, and resilience.
Listen now for the key takeaways from Strasbourg.
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Housing costs are rising, supply is falling behind, and millions of Europeans are struggling to find an affordable home. In this episode of “EU Decoded”, we discuss the EU’s first housing crisis report, the need for 10 million new homes, and the reforms, investments, and innovations that could make housing more accessible for young people, families, and workers across Europe.
Our guests include MEPs Borja Giménez Larraz and Nikolina Brnjac, joined by Bianca Faragau Tavares, Policy Officer at the European Investment Bank.
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The European Parliament has wrapped up another plenary week in Strasbourg. In this episode of “EU Decoded,” we cover the new EU-US Framework Agreement, the push for a stronger and less bureaucratic Single Market, and Europe’s growing cybersecurity and AI challenges.
We also look at the first-ever European Order of Merit, awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to European integration and to European values.
Tune in for all the latest news from Strasbourg!
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Europe is facing a surge of unsafe and non-compliant products entering its market - many of them sold through major online platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. With billions of parcels arriving each year, concerns are growing over consumer safety and unfair competition.
In this episode of “EU Decoded,” Members of the European Parliament Dirk Gotink and Andreas Schwab share insights from a recent mission to China, revealing the true scale of the issue and what’s being done to address it. From new EU customs rules to holding platforms accountable, we break down how Europe plans to protect its consumers and safeguard the Single Market.
Is the EU doing enough? What will it take to restore balance? Tune in to find out.
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In this episode of “EU Decoded,” we break down the key outcomes of the European Parliament’s latest plenary session in Strasbourg. Topics include new efforts to combat cyberbullying and protect children online, proposals to increase the EU’s long-term budget, and energy security challenges linked to the Middle East. We also discuss calls for a common EU definition of rape based on consent and steps towards holding Russia accountable for its war in Ukraine through an international compensation mechanism.
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In the latest episode of “EU Decoded”, we unpack the political developments in Belarus. At the turn of 2025-2026, the United States partly lifted and eased some of its sanctions on Belarusian exports, a key source of revenue for the regime. Shortly after, President Aliaksandr Lukashenka released 123* political prisoners, including prominent opposition figures Viktar Babaryka, Maria Kalesnikava and Ales Bialiatski.
What does this mean for the European Union’s policy towards Minsk? Should sanctions pressure continue while hundreds of political prisoners remain behind bars?
In this episode, we also examine Belarus’ ongoing alignment with Vladimir Putin’s Russia in the war against Ukraine, and the use of migration pressure at the EU’s borders as a hybrid warfare tactic.
Our guests:
EPP Group MEPs Andrzej Halicki and Paulius Saudargas
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Anna Krasulina, Deputy Chairperson of the United Civil Party of Belarus
🎙️ Listen to the latest episode of “EU Decoded” to understand what these developments mean for Europe.
* This episode was recorded before Belarusian authorities released another 250 prisoners on 19 March.
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In this episode of “EU Decoded”, we bring you this past week’s plenary session in a nutshell.
From strengthening Europe’s defence to tackling cyberbullying and improving the housing situation, the main goal is to make Europe safer and more prosperous. We also discuss child protection, focusing on the steps to take to make the online space safer for everyone.
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To mark International Women’s Day 2026, in our new episode of “EU Decoded” we ask: Gender equality - why are we still talking about it?
We look at the concrete steps Europe has taken in recent years, from pay transparency rules to help close the gender pay gap to stronger parental and carers’ rights, binding targets for women on corporate boards, and the first-ever EU Directive to Combat Violence Against Women.
Our guest are MEPs Liesbet Sommen and Maria Walsh.
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In this episode of “EU Decoded”, we bring you a wrap up of the latest Plenary session and explore how the European Parliament is addressing the defining challenges of our time.
From strengthening Europe’s defence to reforming migration procedures and supporting Ukraine with a €90 billion package, the focus is on security, unity, and resilience.
We also discuss Europe’s economic competitiveness, with calls to deepen the Single Market and reduce barriers to growth. Finally, we turn to online safety, as we call for criminalising cyberbullying across the EU and better protecting children in the digital age.
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January 2026 is off to an eventful start in geopolitics. In this episode of 'EU Decoded', we break down the key debates and outcomes of the first European Parliament plenary session of the year.
The EPP Group stands firmly with the people of Greenland and condemns the brutal repression of protests in Iran, expressing our solidarity with the Iranian people. At the EPP Group’s initiative, the European Parliament also debated the situation in Venezuela following the extraction of Nicolás Maduro. Beyond geopolitics, we confront the alarming rise of AI-driven exploitation, which overwhelmingly targets women and children.
While facing these challenges, we celebrate Europe’s strength and unity, marking 40 years of Portugal and Spain in the EU with inspiring addresses from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and King Felipe VI.
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Greenland is the world’s largest island and part of the Kingdom of Denmark, with significant autonomy. Located between the Arctic and North Atlantic, it is strategically important for:
-Military bases and missile defence systems.
-Surveillance of Arctic shipping routes.
-Access to rare minerals, including rare earths, uranium, and other critical resources.
U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed statements about acquiring Greenland, calling it vital for U.S. defence and not ruling out force - provoking alarm among Denmark, the EU and other NATO allies. In our newest episode of EU Decoded we focus on Greenland’s strategic significance, US ambitions, and how Europe - particularly the EU and the EPP Group - can protect its interests. Our guests are: the Danish Member of the European Parliament and of the EPP Group Niels Hansen and the Member of the European Parliament and EP’s standing rapporteur on the US, Michał Szczerba.
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In this final episode of 2025, “EU Decoded” wraps up the European Parliament’s last Strasbourg plenary session of the year. We decode some of our key EPP Group successes this week, such as reversing the disastrous ban on internal combustion engines and balancing climate goals with industrial competitiveness and jobs. Plus, after negotiations led by the EPP Group, the Omnibus I simplification package was backed by a large majority and will simplify rules and reduce costs for businesses across the continent. We also dive into our firm stance on phasing out Russian oil and gas while keeping energy affordable for everyone. Tune in!
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Christian communities across Africa and the Middle East are facing unprecedented levels of violence - kidnappings, church burnings, intimidation, and even mass killings. And yet, much of the world remains silent.
In this episode, MEP François-Xavier Bellamy sheds light on this overlooked crisis. We discuss why Christians have become one of the most targeted groups globally, how extremist movements and state policies contribute to their persecution, and why Europe cannot look away.
MEP Bellamy also reflects on the EU’s responsibility to defend freedom of conscience - a value deeply rooted in Europe’s own history - and outlines what practical steps Europe can take to protect vulnerable minorities.
Tune in for a powerful and necessary conversation.
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Two countries, two different people, but their stories are so similar. Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli represent two fronts of the same struggle - the defence of truth, dignity, and free expression against Kremlin-sponsored tyranny.
Journalists from Belarus and Georgia were jointly awarded the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, following a nomination by the EPP Group and a decision by the Parliament’s political group leaders and President Roberta Metsola.
In this episode of the “EU Decoded Podcast,” we talk with Andrzej Halicki, MEP and Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, who co-initiated the nomination for Andrzej Poczobut for the Sakharov Prize; Łukasz Kohut, MEP and Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, as well as co-initiator of the nomination; and Rasa Juknevičienė, MEP and co-initiator of the nomination for Mzia Amaglobeli.
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The conflict in Sudan is one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time – yet it remains largely overlooked. Cities have collapsed, famine is spreading, millions are displaced, and warnings of genocide are growing. Some figures: around 30.4 million people need humanitarian assistance. Over 11 million people are displaced – 8.5 million internally and 3.9 million in neighbouring countries. Sudan is being described as the world’s largest displacement crisis today. Healthcare is collapsing; health facilities have been destroyed, and disease outbreaks (cholera, measles, malaria) are rising. Sexual and gender-based violence is increasing, especially among displaced populations.
In this episode of "EU Decoded", we spoke with MEP Reinhold Lopatka, Head of the Austrian Delegation of the EPP Group in the European Parliament and Chair of the Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula; Ingeborg Ter Laak from the Netherlands, Vice-Chair of the Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly; and Lukas Mandl, also from Austria, EPP Group negotiator of the resolution on Sudan. Furthermore, we have recordings from people in Sudan: Mr Salih Mahmoud Osman, who won the Sakharov Prize in 2007; Mr Mohamed Moustafa El-Nour, a human rights lawyer; and Ms Salwa Elsadik, a Sudanese women’s rights activist.
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In this week’s EU Decoded, we dive into the most pressing topics from the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg. We break down the newly adopted European Defence Industry Programme, designed to boost Europe’s defence industry capabilities.
We also discuss how to stop illegal and dangerous Chinese products from flooding the EU market and how to ensure Europe’s children grow up in a digital world that supports, not harms, their development.
Tune in!
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Over the past few years, the geopolitical landscape has been reshaped.
The recently published EPP Group Position Paper on EU-US relations calls for a renewed Euro-Atlantic strategy - one that adapts to these changes while maintaining Europe’s values and autonomy.
In this episode of “EU Decoded,” we discuss the future of EU-US Transatlantic relations and the actions needed. Hear more from MEPs Željana Zovko and Michał Szczerba, with Executive Director Tomi Huhtanen (Martens Centre).
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Across Europe, airports are grounding flights, energy networks are tightening security, and defence agencies are on high alert - all because of drones. From Poland to Denmark, incursions are exposing the EU’s vulnerabilities to low-cost attacks. In this episode of “EU Decoded,” we explore how Europe is responding to the rise of aerial threats and whether the new “European Drone Shield Initiative” can keep the skies safe.
We spoke with Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland; Angelika Niebler, Member of the European Parliament from Germany and a Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy; Pekka Toveri, an MEP from Finland and a Member of the Committee on Security and Defence; and Andrey Novakov, an MEP from Bulgaria, who also serves on the Committee on Security and Defence and led Parliament’s negotiations on a resolution calling for a united response to recent Russian violations of EU Member States’ airspace and critical infrastructure. All three are Members of the EPP Group.
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