Méabh Mc Mahon

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? The EU mood on Trump: Keep calm and carry on

This week, two very different speeches from two very different Donalds suggest the EU should fasten its seatbelt for a turbulent few years.

25 January 2025

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? NATO's warning: we're not at war, and not at peace

In this edition, we hear how Austria is on the cusp of crowning a far-right leader, and examine NATO chief Mark Rutte's plans to mend relations with the EU.

18 January 2025

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Poland's New Year's resolution

In this edition, we ask if Poland's Donald Tusk can steer Europe to safety as he takes on the rotating presidency of the EU's Council; and whether the extraordinary interventions of Elon Musk make him the king of free speech — or a threat to democracy.

11 January 2025

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? What was there to be merry about in 2024?

In this Christmas edition, we look back at a politically turbulent year dominated by elections, and ask if it's possible to have a sustainable festive season.

21 December 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Paris rolls out the red carpet for Trump

In our 100th episode of 'Brussels, my love?', we discuss the delicate diplomacy and political turbulence behind the spectacular reopening of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral, and the fate of Syrian asylum-seekers after the fall of Assad's regime.

14 December 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Do TikTok algorithms sway elections?

In this edition, we look at whether TikTok's algorithms could have swayed the Romanian presidential elections, and ask if Europe should ban under-16s from social media.

7 December 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Parliament gives Commission green light to start work

In this edition, we look at how Ursula von der Leyen gained approval for a second term in office by the narrowest of majorities, and dissect Hungary's child protection act.

30 November 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? EU reacts to German government collapse

In this edition, we look at why the German coalition government fell apart, and investigate if Brussels is becoming a hotspot for spies.

16 November 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? EU fears trade war and climate crisis under Trump

In this edition, we ask how the EU will navigate a second Trump presidency and if chaos in Germany could shake the stability of the Union.

9 November 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Instability in Georgia overshadows EU enlargement

In this edition, we discuss how Georgian authorities have been moving the country away from the European Union and how the Western Balkans feel about an EU growth plan.

2 November 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Could return hubs solve the EU migration conundrum?

In this edition, we shed light on Italy's Albanian model for processing asylum seekers, and hear how the victory plan of Ukraine's President Zelenskyy went down in Brussels.

26 October 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? EU forest law on hold: tragedy or relief?

In this edition, we discuss the impact of a delay in the EU's deforestation law, and break down Viktor Orbán's feisty speech in Strasbourg.

12 October 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Austrian elections again shake the establishment

In this edition, we dissect a recent Austrian poll that saw the far-right Freedom Party claim victory, and hear why the Union Jack was flying again in the EU institutions.

5 October 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Middle East horror unfolds from afar

After the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell called the situation in Lebanon "extremely dangerous and worrying", is the world now witnessing another fullscale war?

28 September 2024

Europe News

How do you make Europe's rail network faster?

On Monday, rail sector specialists spent a six-hour train ride attempting to figure out how to fix a network that's fragmented, expensive and arguably holding back European growth.

24 September 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Migration pact at risk before it starts

In this edition, we hear how Sweden wants to pay migrants to return to their countries of origin in a bid to improve integration.

21 September 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Can 'Super Mario' get the EU economy on track?

In this edition, we ask why the EU economy lags the US and China, and hear of the Commission's bitter battle with Big Tech.

14 September 2024

Europe News

Brussels’ first consumption centre aims to keep drugs off streets

GATE, launched in 2022 to tackle drug problems in Brussels, will expand with a new centre next year due to its success and high demand.

13 September 2024

Brussels, My Love?

Ursula von der Leyen cracks the whip on gender parity

In this edition, we look at the far right's victory in German local elections, and the EU's efforts to get more women in top jobs

7 September 2024

Belgium

'Democrats Abroad' cheer Kamala Harris from across the pond

Key pledges made by Harris will be welcomed by many in Europe, but there is still plenty to play for in the US presidential elections.

20 August 2024