The EU’s AI Act: a big win for Big Tech

Europe's housing crisis is marked by soaring rents, unaffordable homes, and rising homelessness. In this episode, we discuss a new study exposing how EU policy is exacerbating the problem and how community movements across the continent are mobilising to demand rent controls, social housing, and tenant protections for quality, affordable homes, and dignified living. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From landmark legislation to heated debates, we explore the highs and lows, victories and setbacks that have shaped the political landscape in Europe since 2019. Co-President of The Left in the European Parliament, Manon Aubry, recaps a complex European Parliament term, giving her take on what we won, what we lost and what we learned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EU leaders' reactions and inaction in response to the ongoing war on Gaza have proven controversial, not just on Europe's streets, but also in the halls of power. In this episode, we speak to Ahmed Abofoul from Palestinian NGO Al-Haq and Left MEP Marc Botenga to unravel the complexities and complicities of Europe's role in the crisis over the last months. What's the path towards justice and accountability for the people of Gaza, and how should Europe help us get there? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the start, Big Tech was involved in the EU’s flagship law on artificial intelligence. But when the European Parliament tried to rein these giants in, the CEOs of Google, Open AI, and Microsoft descended upon Brussels. The result? A rush job and a law that prioritises profits over people. In this episode of Look Left, we dive into the AI Act with Left MEP Cornelia Ernst and Bram Vranken from Corporate Europe Observatory. We look at the influence Big Tech had over negotiations and ask if the law does enough to protect human rights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suitcases of cash, police raids, arrested politicians - it had the makings of a Netflix thriller. If Qatargate shone a light on the murky waters of corruption, conflicts of interest and lobbying, 12 months later can the EU honestly say it’s cleaned up its act? In this episode of Look Left, we delve into the scandal that shook the EU with Left MEP Leïla Chaibi and Shari Hinds from Transparency International EU. We examine the reasons behind Qatargate and ask whether enough has been done to weed out corruption in Brussels’ institutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victory for Geert Wilders in the Netherlands. Riots on the streets of Dublin. A neo-fascist government in Italy. In the EU support for the far-right is on the rise. Where once these parties were united by their opposition to immigration, Islam and the European Union, new causes have also emerged. Culture wars, minority rights, the climate crisis are now all mainstays of far-right propaganda. But where fascism has changed, so too has anti-fascism. In this episode of Look Left, we spoke to Tea Jarc of the European Trade Union Confederation about the past, present and future of anti-fascism and trade unionism. We also spoke with former Left MEP, Sira Rego, about what it means to be anti-fascist in our changing world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While millions of people have been hit by the cost of multiple crises, the richest of the rich are travelling into space and spending billions on ultra-luxurious and environmentally harmful activities. Now more than ever, it's time to tackle this enormous social inequality. So, what about taxing the rich? In the fifth episode of Look Left, we spoke with Tax Inequality Policy Advisor Chiara Putaturo to unpack the many tricks used by billionaires when it comes to tax dodging.With Left MEP Marc Botenga, we put the Wealth Tax under the lens and discussed the next steps the EU needs to take to make the rich and their big companies finally pay their fair share. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many people, a passport can draw the line between being a “migrant” or an “expat” - a line made of barbed wire. The fourth episode of Look Left is for all those who left their homes and started from zero in a new country, and for all those who lost their lives trying to do so. Often we talk about migration using big numbers and statistics. We spoke with Sani Ladan, a social educator, vocal anti-racist and human rights activist from Cameroon, who experienced on his skin the impact of the EU's inhumane migration policy. We also put the Asylum and Migration Pact under the Left’s lens with Left MEP Cornelia Ernst. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stigma and scapegoating, civil disobedience and international solidarity. We dedicate the third episode of Look Left to all women who lost their lives because they were denied the right to choose and to all those who stand up for their right to decide over their own bodies. We spoke to Polish women's rights defender Justyna Wydrzyńska, who was sentenced to eight months of community service for helping a woman to have an abortion. We also put the fight for the right to free, safe and legal abortion under The Left lens and heard about Irish women’s historic victory in the Repeal the 8th Referendum from Left MEP Clare Daly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our time. And yet, we see big polluters and the fossil fuel lobby comfortably sitting at climate talks, presenting themselves as “green” solutions experts.In the second episode of Look Left, we spoke with climate campaigner Martha Myers to unpack the dirty tricks and tactics of the fossil fuel lobby. We also shed light on the other side: building a climate policy that puts people before profit in decision-making.With Left MEP Silvia Modig, we put EU Climate Policy under the left lens and discussed the next steps towards making the green transition socially just. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.