ARTE Europe Weekly

A year after ousting right-wing populists from power, Donald Tusk has mended Poland’s strained ties with the EU and vowed to restore the rule of law. His pro-European stance has earned him the moniker 'Mr. Europe' as his government assumes the EU Council presidency for the next six months. But progress on his ambitious domestic reform agenda has been sluggish, leaving some to question if Tusk can deliver on his pledges. Observers warn that his leadership’s fate hinges on the presidential election in May.

The billionaire recently revived a scandal on grooming gangs in the UK, using his social media X to amplify disinformation. He also hosted an online conversation with the far-right leader of Germany’s AfD Alice Weidel and is discussing a deal with the Italian government to use his Starlink services. What can the EU do to counter Musk’s efforts to influence European politics?

The COVID-19 pandemic, social media, and current affairs are just some of the reasons why young people’s mental health in Europe is on shaky ground. This ARTE Europe Weekly, we’re digging into the hows and whys behind the crisis.

The breakout success of Chinese DeepSeek has shaken the US’s position as a global leader in artificial intelligence. But although it might seem like a two-horse race between the US and China, the EU was the first region in the world to have created a legal framework for AI and is starting to massively invest in supercomputing and innovation. As the European Commission said, “The race for AI is far from over.”

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Serbia’s biggest-ever protest movement, after a deadly roof collapse at a train station in Novi Sad in November. Since then, rallies calling for accountability and an end to corruption have spread across the whole country. Populist leader Aleksandar Vučić is still gripping onto power, but could the revolt end his political career? It’s a decisive moment that may indicate whether the country’s future will lean towards Russia or the EU.

Developed over 80 years ago for their indestructible qualities, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now inescapable. From kitchenware to drinking water, and even in the entire food chain, these synthetic chemicals with variants in their tens of thousands, are piling up in our environment and posing a serious health threat. With over 2,300 contamination ‘hot spots’ across Europe, the risk to our bodies is real. For the last decade, the EU has been trying to regulate their use, but the industrial sector is pushing back, using economic arguments to maintain the status quo.

From leaning in to quiet quitting, our attitudes towards work have changed a lot over the last 50 years. Spain’s government has approved a measure to cut weekly working hours from 40 to 37.5. More and more European countries are embracing shorter working hours, and some are even trialling the four-day week.

The results are in after Germany’s elections, but beyond the ballot, what’s at stake for the rest of Europe? In this ARTE Europe Weekly, we focus on the continent’s economic powerhouse asking how Germany’s next moves could reshape everything from trade to energy.

This year’s International Women’s Rights Day comes at a strange time for Europe. On the one hand, we have never been closer to gender equality, and Europe can boast being the best place on earth to be a woman. But on the other hand, there’s a concerted backlash against feminist activism, both online and offline, and widespread violence against women. The World Economic Forum predicts that we are still decades away from achieving equality.

With the U.S. becoming an unpredictable ally under Donald Trump, Europe may have to rethink its own defense—especially when it comes to nuclear deterrence. This week on ARTE Europe Weekly, we break down who holds the nuclear cards and how Trump’s policies could force Europe to reset its security strategy.

When the Covid-19 pandemic exploded into Europe in March 2020, it’s safe to say that the European Union was not prepared. Five years on, there’s been a lot of progress, from being ready to detect a new disease outbreak to improving cross-border cooperation on medical equipment and vaccines. But one main issue is the loss of trust in public health authorities, and that’s harder to regain.

In Sweden, a gang war has been raging for years, driven by the arms and drug trade. These gangs aren’t just recruiting young people—they rely on them. Many of these kids, some barely teenagers, see few prospects outside of crime, allowing criminal networks to thrive. Now, the European Parliament and law enforcement agencies in Brussels are pledging tougher crackdowns. But can they keep up with gangs that always seem one step ahead?

On April 2nd, Donald Trump declared what he’s hailing “Liberation Day,” a move aimed at freeing America from what he sees as unfair trade practices—not just from rivals but also longtime allies. With a minimum 10% tariff on all foreign imports—and a hefty 20% on European goods—the White House is sending shockwaves through global trade. The automobile sector is taking a major hit, and Europe now faces tough decisions. What’s behind Trump’s strategy, and how will the EU respond?

A new corruption scandal has erupted inside the European Parliament, just a couple of years after the Qatargate affair. This time, following the money leads back to China: MEPs reportedly accepted bribes from telecoms company Huawei. It comes as French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is convicted for embezzling EU funds. So why does this keep happening? We look at the power of lobbyists in Brussels and why the EU’s anti-graft mechanisms don’t seem to be sufficient.

In a fresh blow to LGBTQ+ rights, Hungary’s ultra right-wing government has amended the constitution to legally recognize only two genders — a move that effectively erases trans and non-binary identities. Hungarian leader Orban has also banned Pride parades in the capital. It marks yet another assault on LGBTQ+ communities — and a deeper lurch toward autocracy. But will the EU clap back?

Rare earths and other raw materials are key parts of the technology we use every day: if you can turn it on and off, it probably has a rare earth in it. The paradox is that it’s very polluting to extract them, but they’re essential to develop the green energy of the future, as they’re crucial components of wind turbines and solar panels. Now there’s a global race to get access to them, and Europe plans to become less reliant on imports from China.

Speeding, drunk driving, texting at the wheel, or crumbling roads—there are many causes of traffic accidents. That’s why the European Union has set itself an ambitious goal of zero road deaths from 2050 onwards. Some measures are already in place, but when it comes to road safety, there are still some serious potholes that need fixing. This Weekly, we break down road blocks ahead and look at how artificial intelligence might pave the way for safer journeys in the future.

One election, two futures. Poland is gearing up to vote as liberals and nationalists lock horns over immigration, Ukraine, the rule of law - and its role with the EU. Over the past two decades, EU membership has turbo-charged Poland’s development, but the rise of populism has reshaped public debate. In this episode of ARTE Europe Weekly we find out how high the stakes are in Warsaw.

From traditional religion to tarot cards and witchcraft, the way people connect with faith is changing across Europe. Recent stats show that less than half of people now see religion as important but is Europe losing its religion in favour of faith?

A secretive fleet of ships prowl international waters, transporting Russian oil and funding Russia’s war chest. These dilapidated, uninsured boats put marine ecosystems in grave danger, as well as threaten EU security. But it’s very difficult to trace them because they often sail under flags of convenience. The EU is rolling out a new sanctions package to try and curtail their activities – but will it be enough?

Nuclear energy is back in fashion, and some EU countries have abandoned plans to phase it out. It ticks a lot of boxes: it helps Europe become energy independent and it allows the EU to meet its climate targets. But there are questions over its sustainability, safety and its high cost.

Ten years have passed since US investigators found that Volkswagen had been tampering with pollution controls in its diesel cars, letting millions of vehicles spew toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. A new report has found that 124,000 people have died as a result – and that number will keep rising over the next few decades if additional measures aren’t taken. How could Brussels let Dieselgate happen – and why are we still feeling the effects?

Europe is finally starting to toughen its stance on Israel — the tone is shifting, and sanctions are suddenly on the table. But is this a meaningful turning point, or just too little, too late? This week, we unpack what’s changing and why. It comes as a second aid ship headed for Gaza is intercepted, with 12 people detained on board— among them, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

There’s a legal age at which you can buy alcohol or cigarettes, vote and drive – but not use social media, despite the fact it can be full of damaging content like violence, paedophilia, dangerous health ‘advice’ and disinformation. Studies have shown a link between extreme social media use and poor mental health. Now some EU countries are proposing a total ban for under-15s. But how easy would this be to enforce, and is it fair to deprive young people of social media?

Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Shein, Temu, or AliExpress have taken Europe by storm in the last few years offering a huge range of products at very low prices. But with major ethical, sustainability and health issues, what can Europe do about the flood of cheap goods from China?

Según el programa Copernicus, el continente europeo se calienta al doble del ritmo global. Las olas de calor son cada vez más intensas, largas y frecuentes. Pero sus efectos no se reparten por igual. El tipo de trabajo, la edad, el estado de salud o el acceso a una vivienda adecuada marcan la diferencia entre resistir o sucumbir cuando el termómetro se dispara.

El tren es limpio, seguro y sostenible, pero en Europa apenas representa el 7 % de los desplazamientos, diez veces menos que el coche y la mitad que el avión. Su atractivo se ve limitado por tarifas poco competitivas, retrasos frecuentes y una red fragmentada con distintos anchos de vía. Proyectos como Rail Baltica, que conectará los países bálticos con Europa Central, avanzan, pero la falta de interoperabilidad y la escasa inversión pública lastran la integración de una red ferroviaria europea realmente común. En este escenario, Suiza destaca por su densa y puntual red, con un 98,6 % de trenes que llegan a tiempo, mientras España se ha convertido en un referente de liberalización: ha abaratado la alta velocidad, pero ha relegado las líneas regionales y las zonas menos rentables.

Cinco años después del Brexit, el Reino Unido y la Unión Europea abren un nuevo capítulo en sus relaciones. El gobierno laborista de Keir Starmer da señales claras de acercamiento a Bruselas. Y el contexto internacional pesa: la guerra en Ucrania, el aumento de la migración irregular y la incertidumbre sobre el compromiso de Estados Unidos con la OTAN obligan a ambas partes a limar asperezas.