Inside Europe

Political earthquakes in Poland and the Netherlands, France’s crypto entrepreneur kidnappings, Russia doubles down on traditional gender roles, Ian Urbina feels the pull of the ocean, a haven for migrants near Rome’s central station, and the uplifting story of the Spanish Refugee National Football Team.

Released RFE journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on her colleague Farid Mehralizada, who is facing a 12 year prison sentence in Azerbaijan. We meet some of the young people on trial in Turkey following the recent crackdown on dissent, and take a look at the Franco-US relationship in the run up to D-Day.

On the show this week: Poland’s presidential elections reveal a country on a knife-edge, Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia and the Baltics’ hybrid warfare fears. Plus a Hungarian spy ring, Icelandic intrigue, Swiss bunkers, and Syrians returning home from Europe. A security special packed with stories from the frontlines of Europe’s shifting geopolitics.

Romania goes to the polls in the final round of high-stakes presidential elections, Albania's Edi Rama sails to victory once again, and the PKK disbands. Later: Pope Leo XIV, Russian volunteers help Ukrainians in Armenia, Eurovision attempts a reset in politically neutral Switzerland, and an adult toy craze that’s perhaps more “constructive” than most…

Germany’s new chancellor gets off to a bumpy start. Is Google helping Turkey to strangle independent media? And Malta is forced to abandon a lucrative business model. Then a VE Day Special: Nathalie Tocci on Europe, a look at Britain and France’s “coalition of the willing”, and a very personal tour of synagogues in the Netherlands.

Light in the dark - how people came together during Spain’s energy blackout, plus a very special story of faith, loss and renewal on the ancient Catholic pilgrimage known as “the way”. Later in the show: Could Rome’s colosseum be considered the antecedent to modern day reality TV? And what can the world learn from the Swedish concept of “lagom”?

Kate's away this week, so we're sharing another podcast we love: The Europeans. They've got a veritable smörgåsbord in this episode, from human rights in Hungary to the sorry tale of two Danish sustainability influencers whose eco-resort business went spectacularly wrong. Plus, how an army of volunteer online sleuths is helping Ukraine use open-source intelligence to fight back against Russia.

On this special edition of DW's Inside Europe, we take a break from the news to explore grief as a lens for understanding global events. Author Sarah Jaffe joins host Kate Laycock to unpack how loss—from COVID to deindustrialization—shapes politics, protest, and our shared humanity. A powerful journey through mourning, memory, and hope.

A coalition deal is reached in Germany, France sees opportunities in US academic flight, Turkey’s opposition change tack, and Slovakia gets tough on bears. Also on the show: an iconic opera house fights for survival amidst Berlin’s culture cuts, plus a conversation with Patrick Strickland, author of ‘You Can Kill Each Other After I Leave: Refugees, Fascism, and Bloodshed in Greece.’

Hungary announces it will withdraw from the ICC, Berlin moves to deport four foreign national Gaza protesters, and a French court finds Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzlement. Also: Why aren’t European leaders finding tougher words on Turkey? Can Europe really go it alone? Who will save Radio Free Europe? All that, plus the craziest spy story you ever heard!

Focus on Turkey: on-the-ground reporting and an interview with celebrated journalist-in-exile, Can Dündar. Also: French-Algerian relations, the German Green-Card holder caught up in Trump's immigration crackdown, the record-breaking new Olympics boss, the Democratic Odyssey project, and a brand-new town square.

France's answer to Starlink, North Macedonia's deadly nightclub fire and Germany's break with austerity. All that plus the longest tram in the world, protests in Serbia and Hungary and a star-turn from 100 year old actor and activist, Thelma Ruby.

Environmental lawyer Svitlana Romanko spotlights the role of fossil fuels and minerals in the war in Ukraine. Meet Russian activists still defying authoritarianism after 25 years. Marking 50 years since Franco’s death stirs political tensions in Spain, while German coalition talks raise questions about migration and civil rights. Plus, Latvia’s refugee treatment and Italy’s backyard chicken trend.

War and peace: as Europe braces for an unprecedented rearmament drive, in Turkey, the PKK prepares to lay down its weapons. We’ll also be finding out why Serbian politicians got literal egg on their faces this week, as well as meeting a Spanish photo journalist determined to bring dignity and recognition to the marginalised and forgotten.

Germany after the election: What do the results mean? And how is this playing out with economic decline in the once proud home of Volkswagen? With the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, we reflect on the relationship between Ukraine, Brussels and Washington. Also, myth busting about Russia's war in Ukraine, a war memorial in Spain and Jehovah's Witnesses facing Russian persecution.

We hit the streets of Berlin this week for an action-packed German Elections Special! Join host, Kate Laycock and political correspondent, Thomas Sparrow, as they tiptoe through the German Parliament buildings, relax in Berlin’s most famous political hang-out, gatecrash a TV news studio, and look back on some defining moments of German political history.

Ahead of German elections, Mark Leonard from the European Council on Foreign Relations reflects on Germany's significance within the wider European project. We investigate the murky world of underwater stealth sabotage. The German town of Meiningen fosters a cultural oasis in the middle of an AfD stronghold. And Alice in Orbanland: AfD leader Weidel pays a visit to Hungary.

Protests in Serbia and elections in Kosovo, the worst mass shooting in Swedish history, and Jens Stoltenberg’s surprise return to Norwegian politics. In the second half: we take a long-form look at migrant experience in Finland, find out how to access Polish nature reserves in a wheelchair, and revel in the squelchy sounds of Scotland’s UNESCO World Heritage peat bog!

Has Germany’s firewall against the right just fallen? We’ll be taking you through an historic week in the German parliament, with wide-reaching implications for both German, and European democracy. Expect expert legal opinion, political analysis, and a beginner’s guide to democracy prepping: https://fragdenstaat.de/aktionen/prepping/&maca=en-podcast_inside-europe-949-xml-mrss#upgrade

Intrigue and betrayal in the German Green Party, Europe reacts to Trump, and President Erdogan’s delicate balancing act. Later in the show: a personal story of survival and friendship - 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz. Finding empowerment and hope in the ranks of a UK climate choir, and what an epiphany: Serbian men in Speedos take the plunge. All will be explained - we promise!

Stealth fleets and underwater sabotage, a landslide victory for the man they call the Croatian Trump, a peek inside the atelier of the tailor to the Vatican’s Swiss Guard, and Turkey’s double game when it comes to wine consumption.

Trump eyes up Greenland and Musk courts the AfD, Iran releases Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, Herbert Kickl tries to form a government in Austria, and Jean-Marie Le Pen dies in France. We also mark the 20th anniversary of one of Germany's most notorious deaths in custody, and delve into the marvellous secrets of a Spanish cork forrest.

Looking forwards, looking back with our correspondents in Brussels, Paris, Kyiv and Berlin. Plus a special feature-length focus on The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at 25.

The Inside Europe Secret Santa Speed Date Extravaganza! Consenting correspondents have their names drawn out of a hat in pairs. They then have four minutes before the buzzer goes to find out as much as possible about each other as they can. What could possibly go wrong?!

A conversation with the wife of jailed Azerbaijani journalist Farid Mehralizada, another new Prime Minister in France, and Germany’s Chancellor loses a no confidence vote - on purpose. All that, plus an intensely Norwegian concession to Christmas!

Turkey's Syria connection, Finland prepares itself for Russian aggression, a football school in mafia country and Paris’ Notre Dame is back! Later in the show: a Freedom of Expression Special, and the untold stories of the female painters of the Italian renaissance.

The French government collapses, Georgia’s brutal police crackdown, and the UK bill to legalise assisted dying. Then a Justice Special, featuring 'The Future of War Crimes Justice' author Chris Stephen on the ICC, with reports on Sea-Watch's case against the Italian coastguard and a Norwegian miscarriage of justice. OC-Media website link: https://oc-media.org?maca=en-podcast_inside-europe-949-xml-mrss

Poland’s Donald Tusk fills a leadership vacuum, election shock in Romania, and has Ireland cracked the formula for political stability? In the second half: a special post-COP29 climate episode guest-produced by award-winning British environmental journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor and featuring additional reporting by Ashish Sharma.

Azerbaijan’s human rights record, Hamburg's bid to clean up global shipping, Turkey's Acik radio is taken off air, Bulgaria's ill behaved caricaturists, NFL's brain damage problem and Spain's organ transplant success.

Taking a break from the news, we're sharing uplifting stories from our 'Other Europes' series this week: an Italian city granting every newborn citizenship, a British nursery bridging generations, and a young Irish filmmaker shining a light on marginalized voices. Plus, a sneak peek of New York’s “Kafka: Making of an Icon” exhibit. Join us for these stories of hope and resilience across Europe.

Germany’s coalition government collapses, Europe reacts to Trump’s re-election, and in Serbia, a fatal accident feeds unrest over corruption allegations. Also: Spanish floods fallout, Battle of the Scheldt and farewell, Helen Seeney!

Georgia’s disputed election, EU rhetoric vs reality, US overseas ballots in Berlin. Also: Brussels and Ankara have different takes on the US election, VW is in trouble, and Spain is on the frontline of Europe's climate crisis.

Russia's airspace incursions spark calls for NATO action, Moldova's EU poll could impact Sandu's reelection, Gisele Pelicot tells of her ordeal in mass rape trial and Turkey awaits a new refugee crisis. Also: Georgia picks its next parliament, how Russia's war economy is fueling a housing crisis, Spanish football takes action against racism and Italy's plans for more wind and solar spark protests.

Irish soldiers in Lebanon, linguistic defiance in Belarus and the long shadow cast by Norway’s worst ever oil platform disaster. Also expect: modern day shepherds, post industrial landscapes, lenient lexicographers and edible insects!

Are Zelenskyy’s conditions for peace in Ukraine at odds with the realities of the war? Ordinary men, horrific crimes - could France’s mass rape trial be a catalyst for change? Why Norway is revving up for EVs. Plus: 1itch hunts: the medieval conspiracy that just won’t die.

A warm cultural shower of a show, featuring: embarrassing friendships, spiritual awakenings, and community pubs! In the second half we invite you to: peak inside a Scottish croft, hang out with some rebellious Italian foodies and meet a young Irish filmmaker for whom representation is a deeply personal mission. Special Guests: Dominic and Katy from The Europeans podcast.

Austrian elections, a pyrrhic victory for the SPD in Brandenburg, France's new government, Oslo Innovation Week. Also: Croatia’s bid to reverse its youth exodus, sun, sea and sustainable tourism, all aboard the newly extended Paris metro, and forbidden sounds: a world first for Spain’s Thyssen-Bornemisza museum.

Visible minorities fear for their safety in Brandenburg, Talking Left, Voting Right report, and Meloni vs. Mussolini - what’s in a name? Then, a youth-themed second half featuring the Finnish Tinder for Good Deeds, 1000 Turkish Youth For Palestine, School smartphone bans and the ever youthful Dolly Parton... or at least her new Prosecco label!

The familiar face of France’s new Prime Minister, Turkey’s naval expansion plans and what they mean for Europe, and a wind-swept trip to patrol the Baltic Defence Line. Also: Schengen under threat, Santorini’s struggle with overtourism, Spain’s Spaghetti Western film-sets, and a German dance collective taking on Parkinson’s Disease.

An AfD special featuring disaster prepping from “Takeover” author Arne Semsrott, analysis from political correspondent Thomas Sparrow and eastern soul searching from poetry slammer Aron Boks. Then: everything from Russian sabotage to the expansion of Luxemburg’s free public transport system, via British smoking bans and a guest appearance from John Biewen, host of the Scene on Radio podcast!

The AfD uses the Solingen knife attack to sow fear on the eve of crucial elections, a new push to identify the bodies of the missing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a worrying new arms race grips the Caucasus. In the second half: tech intrigue and the right to repair ............................................................................... https://t.ly/0WBDQ - Cyrus Farivar's Forbes article ?maca=en-podcast_inside-europe-949-xml-mrss

Ukraine's Kursk incursion turns the tables in the war, US enthusiasm for Kamala Harris' campaign spreads to Europe, and Britain releases thousands of prisoners early. Also: Italy's private beaches may be shut this summer, what did Dutch spy chiefs know about Ukraine and the Nord Stream attack? Lukashenko's critics face snooping while reporting from exile and Paris counts down to the Paralympics.

This is a repeat programme, originally broadcast in 2023. There may be time references which are no longer valid. The Russian Feminist Resistance and the Ukrainian frontline, British nonagenarian performer Thelma Ruby, Sasha Talaver on Soviet gender narratives, women challenging Albania's brain drain, UK campaigners against police misogyny and the French woman saving lives from beyond the grave.

Riots, race, and a reckoning…days of violence rock the UK. Ukraine’s will to win at the Olympics. Tthe dangers posed by Russia’s ghost fleet. And could a shorter working week benefit the environment

France steps up security after the rail sabotage, our man in Paris reviews the Olympics' first week, swimming in the polluted Seine river and Turkey wants to cull millions of street dogs. Also: Belarus pardons a German man sentenced to death for terrorism, Italy's anti-abortion law riles rights groups, were the London 2012 Olympics value for money? And how Toledo is drawing crowds this summer.

Our Olympics special: Has France's political crisis dampened the mood in Paris? How climate change is hurting some athletes' hopes of Gold, the Olympic flame gets Parisians fired up, and how the Games are helping refugee athletes to rebuild their lives. Plus, a special edition of DW's Don't Drink the Milk podcast on how passports didn't exist before World War I but now we can't live without them.

Can Ursula von der Leyen unite EU factions in her second term? Finland plans to turn back refugees at the border, and activists fail to bloc a lithium mine in Serbia. Also: Erdogan is accused of hypocrisy over Israel's war in Gaza, why Russian attitudes toward Ukraine are changing, could Muslim-majority Kosovo approve same-sex marriage? And Bulgarians avoid the army, despite a 30% pay hike.

NATO says Ukraine’s path to membership is irreversible - Uncertainty in France after Sunday’s shock setback for the far-right - What does the UK’s new prime minister really stand for? - Viktor Orban’s rogue peace mission - And a special focus on the cut flower industry

France is faced with an existential choice at the ballot box and Britain gets ready to end 14 years of Conservative Party rule. Also on the show: the inside story of an environmental crime investigation, a sports special and an arch-bishop on trial for schism.

France goes to the polls, the political script is flipped in the UK and the Danube region does some budget balancing. In the second half: the first installment of our new "Other Europes" series, showcasing hopeful stories from across the continent.