NewsPoliticsGovernment

EU Decoded

EPP Group

Bringing you politics from the heart of the EU.

Please subscribe, rate and review our podcast on your favourite podcast platform.

If you have a topic that you would like to hear discussed, please get in touch via social media.

- Facebook: http://facebook.com/EPPGroup
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/eppgroup
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/eppgroup

For more information about the EPP Group visit: www.eppgroup.eu

Play

Open in

22 episodes
Avg 16 min
English

Episodes 22

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S8 · E3
Yesterday · 9 min
A Europe that can act: Budget, defence and global power
Europe’s strength and readiness are being tested - economically, geopolitically and in its ability to defend its interests. At home and globally. In this episode of ‘EU Decoded,’ we take you through this week’s plenary session. We look at what Europe can learn from Portugal’s economic success story and what it takes to remain competitive and resilient in a changing world. We also explore Europe’s relationship with China, the debate over the EU’s next long-term budget, new efforts to accelerate defence innovation and Russia’s latest sham elections. Tune in!
S8 · E2
September 23 · 27 min
The continent of the next decade: Why Europe needs Africa
When much of the world’s attention is focused on the USA, China, and Russia, the EPP Group asks: what about Africa? Right now, Africa's population accounts for 19% of the world's population. In ten years, that number will climb to 28%. Its population is young, lives in urban areas, and is technically well educated, so it’s safe to assume that the African economy will be the one to watch in the future. In this episode of 'EU Decoded,' we sat down with MEP Ingeborg Ter Laak and Dr Koen Dekeyser to discuss current and future relations between Europe and Africa and how both continents can benefit from a more balanced partnership based on equality. Tune in!
S8 · E1
September 18 · 13 min
State of the European Union: Bring the ambition
The European Parliament is back in Strasbourg, and the new political season is already making headlines. From Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the European Union speech to the visit of Canadian Prime Minister, migration and Russia’s hybrid threats, we decode the key debates shaping Europe’s return from the summer break. Tune in!
S7 · E25
July 22 · 15 min
From ideas to unicorns: How Europe can unlock its start-up potential
Europe has the talent, ideas and ambition to create the next generation of successful companies, but can it provide the right conditions for them to grow? In this episode of EU Decoded, we take you inside the EPP Group’s Start-up and Scale-up Summit, where entrepreneurs, investors and MEPs discuss Europe’s biggest challenges: market fragmentation, regulation, access to capital, talent retention and the need for a stronger innovation culture. The EPP Group is committed to delivering solutions that help EU companies thrive. Tune in to hear more!
S7 · E24
July 13 · 30 min
No time to lose: Closing Europe's blind spot on child online safety
Protecting children online cannot wait. In this episode, we look at the European Parliament's latest step towards strengthening the fight against child sexual abuse online. While important progress has been made, there is still an urgent need to close the current legal gap and ensure children remain protected. We'll also unpack what happened last week in the European Parliament, why these decisions matter, and what's at stake if action is delayed. We'll explore the ongoing efforts to build a permanent, effective legal framework that protects children online while addressing the broader policy and legal challenges involved. Tune in! *This episode was recording through two separate conversations. One with MEP Jeroen Lenaers and child protection advocate Scharliina Eräpuro, and another one with MEP Lena Düpont.
S7 · E23
July 10 · 6 min
Protecting Europeans: Child safety, passenger rights and Europe’s future
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.
S7 · E22
June 24 · 31 min
The Kremlin’s Secret Lists: How Russia Targets Europe
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. Tune in!
S7 · E21
June 19 · 14 min
The New Frontlines: Drone Threats, Trade Deals and Algorithms
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.
S7 · E20
June 5 · 39 min
Europe needs 10 million more homes. What's the plan?
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. Tune in!
S7 · E19
May 22 · 8 min
Europe Acts: Trade, the Single Market, and the AI threat
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!
S7 · E18
May 6 · 7 min
Are your cheap Temu orders safe? Here’s what you need to know
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.
S7 · E17
May 1 · 9 min
Europe's Children, Europe's Budget, Europe's War
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. Tune in!
S7 · E16
March 23 · 20 min
Hybrid war and hostage diplomacy: What’s next for Belarus?
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 and 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.
S7 · E15
March 13 · 13 min
Iran, ‘Coco’s Law’, and securing the EU online and offline
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. Tune in!
S7 · E14
March 5 · 27 min
Gender equality: Why are we still talking about it?
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. Tune in!
S7 · E13
February 13 · 10 min
Protecting Europe: From Battlefields to Phone Screens
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. Tune in!
S7 · E12
January 23 · 9 min
On the edge of a new world: The Greenland ultimatum, dictators down, and Grok’s shame
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. Tune in!
S7 · E11
January 16 · 16 min
Greenland and the New Arctic Power Game
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.
S7 · E10
Dec 18, 2025 · 7 min
A turning point for Europe’s security and industry
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!
S7 · E9
Dec 16, 2025 · 20 min
A Silent Tragedy: The Persecution of Christian Minorities in Africa and the Middle East
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.

Showing 1–20 of 22 episodes