September Plenary Wrap-up

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. You will hear from General Riho Terras, former Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces; General Christophe Gomart, former Director of French Military Intelligence and Special Operations Commander; and Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, former Ambassador of Spain to NATO. All three are now Members of the European Parliament with the EPP Group. 

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 content. We also hear from key EPP Group voices on strengthening NATO ties ahead of the upcoming summit, addressing rule of law concerns in Spain, and ensuring the EU budget reflects European - not just national - priorities.  Additionally, we mark 40 years of the Schengen Agreement and its ongoing significance for freedom and security in today’s Europe.  With:  Jeroen Lenaers    Nicolas Pascual de la Parte    Michael Gahler    Tomas Tobé   Dolors Montserrat    Manfred Weber   Tune in! 

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 European Parliament about what’s at stake, what’s being done, and why the time is now for Europe to turn defence into its next great integration project. Because citizens demand safety - and Europe must be ready to deliver. Listen to this episode with: Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, EPP Group MEP and former Spanish Ambassador to NATO François-Xavier Bellamy, Head of the French Delegation in the EPP Group Andrzej Halicki, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group and Head of the Polish Delegation in the EPP Group 

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 in these challenging times? Will Europe be prepared enough? In this episode, MEPs Lena Düpont, Lukas Mandl and Pekka Toveri discuss the actions being taken and what needs to happen to strengthen and better utilise the EU’s capabilities in preparation for any future crisis.  Tune in and follow the EPP Group on social media for the latest updates on making Europe and its citizens as well-prepared as possible. 

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 within 90 days, the proposed tariffs could significantly reduce EU exports and trigger retaliatory measures from the EU. Such disputes strain diplomatic ties and risk escalating broader political and economic tensions. Tariffs are often seen as aggressive economic tools that can damage the transatlantic relationship. Listen to this episode with: Jörgen Warborn, Member of the European Parliament from Sweden and EPP Group Coordinator on the International Trade Committee. Željana Zovko, Member of the European Parliament from Croatia, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, and EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur for Trade. Eoin Drea, Senior Researcher at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, specialising in Macroeconomic and Social Policy. He is an expert on the political economy of the European Union. Paul McCarthy, former Europe Director at the International Republican Institute and now an independent expert on European Politics and Transatlantic Relations, based in the United States. 

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 innovation policy, the EPP Group outlines key strategies for resilience and growth. We also tackle the EU’s long-term budget priorities, the push for transparency in NGO funding, and new support measures for Europe’s car industry. Finally, a major Iberian blackout prompts urgent calls to strengthen Europe’s energy infrastructure. Don’t miss this! 

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 and the world need in the future and what is indeed the extent of Europe's influence on the Catholic Church today? Tune in. 

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 into the pressing issues facing Europe’s businesses today. Tune in for a frank conversation about what needs to change to let SMEs truly thrive in the EU. 

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 strengthen the EU’s resilience against hybrid threats while protecting fundamental freedoms - like freedom of speech - in the digital space. Tune in and follow the EPP Group on social media for the latest updates on securing European democracies. 

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 give businesses breathing space, and trade tensions with the U.S. continue over Trump’s tariffs. Plus, we discuss why Europe needs a Capital Markets Union to keep investments at home. Tune in for all the key takeaways!