EP 162 - Von der Leyen's appointment and a visit to Western Sahara

Join us for what could be the last episode of I4C Trouble. As the mandate comes to an end, Mick and Clare reflect on their years in Brussels. It's been a disappointing yet rewarding experience, where we've strived to use our platform to amplify the struggle for peace, anti-imperialism and a European Union that works for the interest its people. We'll fight to be back after the elections, but whatever happens, thank you for having been part of this mad journey.

This week we're sharing our conversation with Ali Alizadeh for his podcast Jedaal TV. Ali questioned us on the role of the EU in the genocide in Gaza and the war in Ukraine, and what's most important: where do we go from here?

This week we welcomed Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, to present her report ‘Anatomy of a Genocide’ in the European Parliament. Together with Diana Buttu and Daniel Levy, the panel offered invaluable insights into the current crisis in Gaza, its historical and legal context, and Europe’s responsibility to defend international law. And on another blow to human rights, the Parliament has passed the EU Asylum and Migration Pact, a shameful reform that weakens protections and access to asylum, and gives away billions in public money to the defence and arms industry. Tune in to hear about this and more!

We're back after a busy green week of very interesting meetings and events in Ireland and Italy. And how lucky that our return coincides with NATO's 75th anniversary... 75 years of US-led terrorism and impunity. And on that line, Israel continues to escalate tensions internationally, having killed 7 World Central Kitchen aid workers, and bombed the Iranian embassy in Syria.On a different note, we are happy to have welcomed members of the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association (IRPWA) for a meeting on the role of European security services in the violating of the civil rights of Irish political prisoners. Together with Catalan and Spanish colleagues, it was a great chance to discuss the widespread of state harassment against dissenting voices.

Leo Varadkar's resignation as Irish Taoiseach has taken most by surprise. Mick and Clare discuss what type of legacy he's leaving behind as they debunk the idea it's related to his comments on Palestine while in Washington for Saint Patrick's day. And while some resigned, others were being re-elected. Putin's victory has not come as much of a surprise, but while he is criticised for the lack of electoral transparency, we don't see enough outrage at our very own unelected bureaucrat Ursula von der Leyen and her power grab on EU foreign affairs.

Welcome back to another Strasbourg episode. This week we discuss the Irish referendums on family and care, the Parliament's resolution on humanitarian aid for Gaza, the influence of Ukrainian grain in the European market and the authorisation of spyware to be used against journalists.

This week we're back in the studio in Brussels, where we discuss von der Leyen's appointment as EPP lead candidate, making her likely to renew her position as European Commission President. We also discuss our event with Palmed-France doctors returning from Gaza who recount the appalling health situation there, as well as our recent trip to the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf and the need to support Western Sahara's struggle for liberation.Link to watch the recording of our powerful event: We Were There: Testimonies of returning PALMED doctors on the health crisis in Gaza

A bunch of important votes and debates in the EP plenary drew the attention of the Irish media this week. After nearly five years of ignoring the case of Julian Assange, MEPs finally agreed to allow a discussion of his case onto the agenda. So where does his case stand now? The hotly-debated Nature Restoration Law - one of the flagship pieces of legislation of this mandate - finally made it over the line in a watered down form. How should it be understood? After four months of cowardly semantics about "humanitarian pauses," the European Parliament finally backed a call for a real ceasefire in Gaza. But is it something to celebrate or has it come too late? Following the appalling death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison, are MEPs using it to pursue a geopolitical agenda? And as Ireland gears up for a constitutional referendum, is the Care Amendment a genuine improvement, or does it swap one form of inequality for another? Join us as we explore these questions and more.

Clare and Mick are back from London, where they attended Julian Assange's extradition hearing. Join us as we discuss the importance of Assange's truth-telling work and the urgent need to stop his wrongful persecution. Why does the EU praise Navalny as a courageous dissident but says nothing about Assange's critical condition and the years of abuse he's been made to endure? Mick and Clare have a lot to say!

Join us as we discuss Israel's looming military offensive on Rafah and its catastrophic humanitarian consequences at a time when UNRWA's work is on the line. Mick and Clare tell us about this week's debates in the Parliament with UNRWA representatives and stress the need for Ireland to step up its efforts to stop this massacre. We also talk about NATO and its role in Ukraine, as well as economic rights in Ireland.