Inside Europe

Ahead of German elections, Mark Leonard from the European Council on Foreign Relations reflects on Germany's significance within the wider European project. We investigate the murky world of underwater stealth sabotage. The German town of Meiningen fosters a cultural oasis in the middle of an AfD stronghold. And Alice in Orbanland: AfD leader Weidel pays a visit to Hungary.

Protests in Serbia and elections in Kosovo, the worst mass shooting in Swedish history, and Jens Stoltenberg’s surprise return to Norwegian politics. In the second half: we take a long-form look at migrant experience in Finland, find out how to access Polish nature reserves in a wheelchair, and revel in the squelchy sounds of Scotland’s UNESCO World Heritage peat bog!

Has Germany’s firewall against the right just fallen? We’ll be taking you through an historic week in the German parliament, with wide-reaching implications for both German, and European democracy. Expect expert legal opinion, political analysis, and a beginner’s guide to democracy prepping: https://fragdenstaat.de/aktionen/prepping/&maca=en-podcast_inside-europe-949-xml-mrss#upgrade

Intrigue and betrayal in the German Green Party, Europe reacts to Trump, and President Erdogan’s delicate balancing act. Later in the show: a personal story of survival and friendship - 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz. Finding empowerment and hope in the ranks of a UK climate choir, and what an epiphany: Serbian men in Speedos take the plunge. All will be explained - we promise!

Stealth fleets and underwater sabotage, a landslide victory for the man they call the Croatian Trump, a peek inside the atelier of the tailor to the Vatican’s Swiss Guard, and Turkey’s double game when it comes to wine consumption.

Trump eyes up Greenland and Musk courts the AfD, Iran releases Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, Herbert Kickl tries to form a government in Austria, and Jean-Marie Le Pen dies in France. We also mark the 20th anniversary of one of Germany's most notorious deaths in custody, and delve into the marvellous secrets of a Spanish cork forrest.

Looking forwards, looking back with our correspondents in Brussels, Paris, Kyiv and Berlin. Plus a special feature-length focus on The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at 25.

The Inside Europe Secret Santa Speed Date Extravaganza! Consenting correspondents have their names drawn out of a hat in pairs. They then have four minutes before the buzzer goes to find out as much as possible about each other as they can. What could possibly go wrong?!

A conversation with the wife of jailed Azerbaijani journalist Farid Mehralizada, another new Prime Minister in France, and Germany’s Chancellor loses a no confidence vote - on purpose. All that, plus an intensely Norwegian concession to Christmas!

Turkey's Syria connection, Finland prepares itself for Russian aggression, a football school in mafia country and Paris’ Notre Dame is back! Later in the show: a Freedom of Expression Special, and the untold stories of the female painters of the Italian renaissance.

The French government collapses, Georgia’s brutal police crackdown, and the UK bill to legalise assisted dying. Then a Justice Special, featuring 'The Future of War Crimes Justice' author Chris Stephen on the ICC, with reports on Sea-Watch's case against the Italian coastguard and a Norwegian miscarriage of justice. OC-Media website link: https://oc-media.org?maca=en-podcast_inside-europe-949-xml-...

Poland’s Donald Tusk fills a leadership vacuum, election shock in Romania, and has Ireland cracked the formula for political stability? In the second half: a special post-COP29 climate episode guest-produced by award-winning British environmental journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor and featuring additional reporting by Ashish Sharma.

Azerbaijan’s human rights record, Hamburg's bid to clean up global shipping, Turkey's Acik radio is taken off air, Bulgaria's ill behaved caricaturists, NFL's brain damage problem and Spain's organ transplant success.

Taking a break from the news, we're sharing uplifting stories from our 'Other Europes' series this week: an Italian city granting every newborn citizenship, a British nursery bridging generations, and a young Irish filmmaker shining a light on marginalized voices. Plus, a sneak peek of New York’s “Kafka: Making of an Icon” exhibit. Join us for these stories of hope and resilience across Europe.

Germany’s coalition government collapses, Europe reacts to Trump’s re-election, and in Serbia, a fatal accident feeds unrest over corruption allegations. Also: Spanish floods fallout, Battle of the Scheldt and farewell, Helen Seeney!

Georgia’s disputed election, EU rhetoric vs reality, US overseas ballots in Berlin. Also: Brussels and Ankara have different takes on the US election, VW is in trouble, and Spain is on the frontline of Europe's climate crisis.

Russia's airspace incursions spark calls for NATO action, Moldova's EU poll could impact Sandu's reelection, Gisele Pelicot tells of her ordeal in mass rape trial and Turkey awaits a new refugee crisis. Also: Georgia picks its next parliament, how Russia's war economy is fueling a housing crisis, Spanish football takes action against racism and Italy's plans for more wind and solar spark protests.

Irish soldiers in Lebanon, linguistic defiance in Belarus and the long shadow cast by Norway’s worst ever oil platform disaster. Also expect: modern day shepherds, post industrial landscapes, lenient lexicographers and edible insects!

Are Zelenskyy’s conditions for peace in Ukraine at odds with the realities of the war? Ordinary men, horrific crimes - could France’s mass rape trial be a catalyst for change? Why Norway is revving up for EVs. Plus: 1itch hunts: the medieval conspiracy that just won’t die.

A warm cultural shower of a show, featuring: embarrassing friendships, spiritual awakenings, and community pubs! In the second half we invite you to: peak inside a Scottish croft, hang out with some rebellious Italian foodies and meet a young Irish filmmaker for whom representation is a deeply personal mission. Special Guests: Dominic and Katy from The Europeans podcast.

Austrian elections, a pyrrhic victory for the SPD in Brandenburg, France's new government, Oslo Innovation Week. Also: Croatia’s bid to reverse its youth exodus, sun, sea and sustainable tourism, all aboard the newly extended Paris metro, and forbidden sounds: a world first for Spain’s Thyssen-Bornemisza museum.

Visible minorities fear for their safety in Brandenburg, Talking Left, Voting Right report, and Meloni vs. Mussolini - what’s in a name? Then, a youth-themed second half featuring the Finnish Tinder for Good Deeds, 1000 Turkish Youth For Palestine, School smartphone bans and the ever youthful Dolly Parton... or at least her new Prosecco label!

The familiar face of France’s new Prime Minister, Turkey’s naval expansion plans and what they mean for Europe, and a wind-swept trip to patrol the Baltic Defence Line. Also: Schengen under threat, Santorini’s struggle with overtourism, Spain’s Spaghetti Western film-sets, and a German dance collective taking on Parkinson’s Disease.

An AfD special featuring disaster prepping from “Takeover” author Arne Semsrott, analysis from political correspondent Thomas Sparrow and eastern soul searching from poetry slammer Aron Boks. Then: everything from Russian sabotage to the expansion of Luxemburg’s free public transport system, via British smoking bans and a guest appearance from John Biewen, host of the Scene on Radio podcast!

The AfD uses the Solingen knife attack to sow fear on the eve of crucial elections, a new push to identify the bodies of the missing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a worrying new arms race grips the Caucasus. In the second half: tech intrigue and the right to repair ............................................................................... https://t.ly/0WBDQ - Cyrus Farivar's Forbes article ?...