EU Decoded

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”...

Welcome back to “EU Decoded,” the podcast by the EPP Group in the European Parliament.   Tune in as we discuss topics ranging from how Europe can lead with principle and strength on the global stage to why the EPP Group led the successful rejection of a new Forest Monitoring Law, protecting foresters and the environment from excessive EU bureaucracy. 

In this episode of “EU Decoded”, we take you inside the latest plenary session of the European Parliament, where Europe’s security, competitiveness, and digital future took centre stage. From defending EU airspace against Russian hybrid threats to strengthening the Schengen area with new visa suspension rules, the EPP Group is calling for action and unity. We also look at efforts to deepen the Sin...

Europe is entering an autumn of truth. In this week’s EU Decoded, we take you inside the State of the European Union address by Ursula von der Leyen, explore the EU’s response to Russian aggression, and examine urgent questions on jobs, trade, and competitiveness. We also look at Moldova’s and Ukraine’s paths toward EU membership, efforts to support Europe’s industries and farmers, and new measure...

Child sexual abuse is rising, and technology is making it worse. In this episode of EU Decoded , we explore how the European Parliament is responding: from criminalising AI-generated abuse material to abolishing statutes of limitation, strengthening victim support systems, and pushing platforms to do more. Featuring MEPs Jeroen Lenaers and Francois Bellamy, Julie Fuchs from ECPAT International, an...

As the NATO Summit in The Hague approaches, the “EU Decoded” podcast explores how Europe and its allies are responding to growing global threats. With Russia’s war against Ukraine, rising tensions in the Middle East, and shifting dynamics within NATO, MEPs and defence experts from the EPP Group share their insights on the future of collective security, burden-sharing, and transatlantic cooperation...

In this episode of “EU Decoded,” we unpack another plenary week in the European Parliament - from bold new legislation to fight child sexual abuse, to major debates on defence, democracy, and the future of the EU budget.   We hear from Jeroen Lenaers on what the new law on combating child abuse means for victims, and how the EU is responding to alarming trends like AI-generated abuse con...

For decades, Europe relied on Transatlantic partnerships to guarantee its security. But the world has changed. With growing global instability and shifting alliances, we must take security into our own hands. In this episode, we delve into how the EPP Group in the European Parliament is spearheading efforts to create a true European Defence Union.  You'll hear from leading voices in the Europ...

The global order is shifting, and the EU is facing many challenges.  We need to protect citizens by better anticipating, preventing and responding to risks like cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation and climate change impacts.  To address these issues, the European Union is rolling out new measures under the Preparedness Union Strategy.  But what does it actually mean? Can we cope...

US President Trump has announced plans to impose higher tariffs on imports from the EU. While tariffs are often intended to protect domestic industries, they serve no one - harming consumers on both sides and weakening our shared economic strength.  President Trump claims the US is being “ripped off” by Europe, despite a broadly balanced EU–US trade relationship. If no agreement is reached wi...

In this episode of EU Decoded , we take you to Strasbourg for the latest highlights from the European Parliament’s plenary session. Marking 80 years since the end of WWII in Europe, MEPs reflect on the painful lessons of history and reaffirm their commitment to peace, particularly amid Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. From just and sustainable peace, trade disputes with the U.S., and innova...

Pope Francis, the first Pope from South America, passed away on Easter Monday. In this episode of "EU Decoded", we talk about the legacy he leaves behind, and we remember his visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg in 2014.  With our guests Željana Zovko MEP, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto and Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, we tried to find answers to questions - what kind of Pope do Europe a...

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Europe’s economy, making up 99.8% of all companies and providing millions of jobs across the EU. Yet, too often, they are drowning in red tape instead of focusing on growth and innovation.  In this debut episode of the SME Europe podcast, MEPs Jörgen Warborn, Marion Walsmann, Niels Flemming Hansen, Eva Maydell, and Aura Salla delve...

For years, authoritarian actors have attempted to manipulate elections, spread disinformation, and divide our societies.  To fight back, the European Parliament has set up a Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, focused on tackling cyberattacks, deepfakes, and online manipulation.  In this episode MEPs Mika Aaltola, Lena Düpont, and Tomáš Zdechovský discuss how to strengthe...

In this episode of EU Decoded, we break down the latest EU policy debates. The Internal Security Strategy is a step forward, but the EPP Group pushes for a European Security Pact to fight cross-border crime. We also cover key industry updates, including flexible CO2 rules for carmakers and support for the European steel industry. Meanwhile, the ‘Stop the Clock’ proposal aims to cut bureaucracy and...

Russia’s unlawful war on Ukraine threatens both Ukrainian sovereignty and EU stability. A strong response is crucial to defending democracy and security. The EU must tighten sanctions enforcement to counter evasion, with its 16th package remaining key to weakening Russia’s war efforts. Sanctions can be as impactful as military action, and Russia’s economy is struggling, with Putin draining the civ...

Europe is at a crossroads. Either it takes decisive action to regain its competitive edge or risks falling further behind other major economies. But what needs to change to revive the EU’s competitiveness?  In this episode, we break down the key ingredients for growth – innovation, productivity, and cutting red tape – to ensure Europe remains a global economic powerhouse.  MEPs Chri...

With war at Europe’s doorstep and a dynamic situation in international affairs, the EU must take control of its own destiny. This week on “EU Decoded,” we examine Europe’s defence ambitions, calls for stricter migration enforcement, and the future of key industries like automotive and agriculture.  Can Europe protect itself, its economy, and its values in an increasingly unstable world? Join...

From the challenges of transatlantic relations and defence spending to the innovations needed in Europe’s defence sector, we explore what it takes to build a stronger, more autonomous EU defence. Our esteemed guests, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, spokesperson and Coordinator for Security and Defence in the EPP Group and former Spanish Ambassador to NATO, and Alice Teodorescu Måwe, an EPP Group MEP,...

Another plenary session is behind us, and we bring you an overview of the week in the latest episode of our “EU Decoded” podcast. Some of the key topics discussed include international trade and tariffs, security, EU competitiveness, the Commission’s Work Programme for 2025 and three years of war in Ukraine.  Tune in to hear more from the EPP Group on the current developments o...

The automotive industry has long been a cornerstone of Europe’s economy, providing over 13.8 million jobs and contributing significantly to the EU’s GDP. However, the sector now faces unprecedented difficulties - from regulatory pressures and high energy costs to competition from subsidized international players. In this episode we spoke to MEP Jens Gieseke who helped us unpack this complex issue....

In our first episode of 2025, we discuss the main topics from the latest plenary session:   🔵 The implications of the DSA for social media platforms    🔵 The future of EU-US relations   🔵 The Polish Presidency of the European Council   🔵 The Russian shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea   🔵 The critical situation in Venezuela   🔵 The urgent need to address Europe’...

Illegal migration is one of Europe’s most pressing challenges, increasingly weaponised to undermine security and stability. In this episode of EU Decoded , the EPP Group delves into the hybrid warfare tactics at the Polish-Belarus border, the role of human traffickers, and the destabilisation attempts across external EU borders. Tune in to understand how Europe can secure its borders, protect vuln...

The new episode of "EU Decoded" brings you an overview of the plenary week as the Parliament focused on approving the new European Commission. Now that the vote is in, it's time to get to work. With the new Commission and the 2025 budget in place, we're reflecting on the EPP Group's priorities for the years ahead. Tune in - don't miss it! 

Europe's automotive industry is facing a growing crisis that could lead to the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs in the sector.   The EPP Group wants to ensure that driving remains affordable for everyone, not just for those who can afford expensive electric cars. To achieve this, Europe must be driven by economic realism and remain technologically neutral. If we do not, driving will...