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?

Heatwaves like the one that scorched across Europe in late June and early July are going to become longer, more frequent and more intense. And not everyone experiences them in the same way. Poorer people are more at risk of health issues related to heat and less likely to have access to green spaces. Europe needs to adapt to climate change – and that means helping the most vulnerable as our planet heats up.

Switzerland is a train lover’s paradise. Shiny trains that are always on time – putting its disorganised neighbour Germany to shame with Deutsche Bahn’s chronic delays. Why is it so hard to recreate this success elsewhere in Europe? We look at the pros and cons of privatising the railways, why prices are so high and how a difference of a few centimetres between the rails can make or break cross-border train lines.

When Labour came into power in the UK last year, it signalled a shift in UK-EU relations. There may not be a Breturn, but Brexit is losing some of its sting. This rapprochement has become increasingly important in a volatile geopolitical climate: the war in Ukraine, a spike in migration to the UK that doesn’t show any signs of slowing, and Donald Trump’s tumultuous return to the White House are pushing the former partners to mend their rift.

Journalists can report more freely in Europe than anywhere else in the world. But media independence is slowly eroding across the bloc. The European Union is trying to combat this with a new package of rules called the European Media Freedom Act, which comes into force in August. But what does it actually do? And why is media pluralism under attack in Europe?

The birth rate across the EU is in decline, even in countries with generous parental leave and support for families. People are having kids later, and having smaller families when they do. Some people don’t want to have kids or aren’t able to for economic or personal reasons – like not finding the right partner – or because of problems with fertility. It’s a demographic crisis that will have stark repercussions for economies across Europe.

Pedalean bajo la lluvia, a pleno sol o entre el tráfico sin descanso. Muchos son migrantes, trabajan sin contrato, sin derecho a vacaciones ni baja médica, con unos ingresos que fluctúan a diario. Según un estudio de la Universidad de Cambridge, el 68% de los riders sufre ansiedad, consecuencia directa de la precariedad laboral y la presión incesante de los algoritmos que orquestan su jornada. Ante esta falta de regulación, España fue pionera en 2021 al aprobar la Ley Rider, que forzó a plataformas como Glovo a reconocer a sus repartidores como empleados. Ahora, Bruselas impulsa una normativa similar contra los abusos de la 'uberización' laboral, que deberá aplicarse a más tardar en 2026.

France’s top constitutional court has blocked the reintroduction of a toxic pesticide. Should it be banned in Europe?

Cada año, la Unión Europea reparte miles de millones en recursos para apoyar la agricultura, la recuperación económica tras el COVID-19 o la transición ecológica. Pero buena parte de ese dinero público nunca llega a su destino: funcionarios en Italia, Grecia o Lituania han malversado partidas para desviarlo a redes clientelares, contratos inexistentes u otros esquemas de corrupción.

Europa vive la peor temporada de incendios desde que hay registros: cientos de miles de hectáreas arrasadas y regiones enteras en alerta. Y no solo en países mediterráneos, también en el norte, desde Escocia hasta Alemania. Las condiciones laborales de los bomberos o una política de prevención insuficiente avivan las llamas. Pero hay salidas: agricultura como cortafuegos, bosques más diversos y cooperación europea.

Aulas colapsadas, investigadores en precario y presupuestos congelados: las universidades públicas europeas arrastran una crisis crónica de financiación. Mientras la demanda se dispara —con casi 19 millones de estudiantes en la UE—, solo Suecia, Alemania, Finlandia, Bélgica y Austria alcanzan el 3 % del PIB en I+D+I; España apenas supera el 1 %. Frente a este déficit, gobiernos como el de la Comunidad de Madrid promueven el autofinanciamiento de las universidades con hasta un 30 % de fondos privados, desatando protestas por el riesgo que ello implica para la autonomía universitaria.

España, Grecia y ahora Francia: la deuda pública vuelve a convertirse en un pulso político y social que define el futuro de Europa. Recortes, descontento social... la factura de años de crédito amenaza con desbordar el continente. Bruselas impone reglas, los mercados presionan y la confianza de todos pende de un hilo ante la amenaza de una nueva entrega de inestabilidad económica.

La amenaza ya no llega solo desde el frente en Ucrania. Drones rusos irrumpen en el cielo europeo, sabotajes paralizan infraestructuras críticas y hospitales son vulnerados tras ciberataques. Pero lo más peligroso ocurre en la sombra: campañas de desinformación diseñadas para dividir sociedades enteras. Moscú multiplica sus operaciones encubiertas mientras la OTAN se pregunta hasta dónde puede llegar esta guerra híbrida sin desatar un conflicto abierto.

Europa cuenta con más de 400 sitios declarados Patrimonio Mundial por la UNESCO, con Italia a la cabeza con 61. Cada año, millones de visitantes acuden atraídos por su valor histórico y cultural. Sin embargo, muchos de estos lugares, especialmente en zonas rurales, están en riesgo de deterioro o abandono por la falta de fondos para su conservación. Desde catedrales emblemáticas como la Notre Dame de París hasta iglesias fortificadas en Transilvania, analizamos cómo, ante la ausencia de financiación pública, donaciones privadas y voluntariado se han convertido en el último recurso para preservar un legado que, piedra a piedra, construye la memoria colectiva europea.

Los superricos acumulan fortunas récord mientras pagan proporcionalmente menos impuestos que la clase media. En Europa, algunos ya han reaccionado: en España, el impuesto de patrimonio a los más acaudalados recaudó en 2023 cerca de 2.000 millones de euros. Además, Noruega y Suiza aplican sus propios modelos. Aun así, en Francia o Italia los intentos se han diluido por temor a la fuga de capitales.

Europa forma científicos brillantes, pero desde hace décadas pierde buena parte de su talento hacia Estados Unidos, que acapara la mayoría de los premios Nobel en ciencias —un 35 % de ellos otorgados a investigadores migrantes—. Harvard, Stanford y Yale lideran la innovación gracias a un músculo financiero muy superior y a un ecosistema que premia el riesgo, mientras la burocracia y los recortes lastran la competitividad europea. Sin embargo, las políticas migratorias de la era Trump están espantando a numerosos científicos en EE. UU., lo que ha abierto una ventana para que la UE aspire a convertirse en un nuevo refugio para estos talentos desplazados.